UHA HQ Reel To Reel Tape Decks

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UHA HQ Reel To Reel Tape Decks

The new United Home Audio - HQ

Professional Reel To Reel Tape decks

Available only from UHA!

Priced from $3998

All units come with IEC EQ Switch for

"The Tape Project" Master tapes!

Click on a page below for more info.

UHA Reel to Reel Tape Deck option list

UHA R2R Dimensions

UHA Tape Deck Covers / Static and Dust Free!

McIntosh Blue VU Meter Reel To Reel Deck

Red Reel To Reel Tape Deck

Jonathan Valin's blog on The Absolute Sound web site.

The Ultimate Source Component?

Well, now, looky here what Jonny's got!

Yup. The very item I (and a lot of other folks) called the best source component at RMAF

(and would've named the best source component at CES, if we'd given an award for best source component at CES)--

United Home Audio's cherry-red UHA-HQ Tascam 15 ips, two-track, analog tape deck--

is now sitting right next to the best source component

I've (yet) heard in my system, the Walker Proscenium Black Diamond Mk II record player.

It's been a long, long, long time since TAS reviewed a reel-to-reel tape deck, and I'm not sure we've ever reviewed 15 ips, two-track, first-generation dubs of gen-u-ine mastertapes. But thanks to Greg Beron of United Home Audio, Carl Marchisotta of Nola Speakers, and Paul Stubblebine of The Tape Project that is about to change.

You can read about UHA's fabulous tape machines at www.unitedhomeproducts.com/reel_to_reel_hq_tape_decks.htm. (The one I've got is a "Level 5" deck, I think.) And you can read all about The Tape Project's fabulous catalog of 15 ips. two-track, reel-to-reel first-generation dubs of mastertapes--which includes little numbers like Bill Evans' Waltz for Debby, Sonny Rollins' Saxophone Colossus, Thelonius Monk's Brilliant Corners, Linda Rondstadt's Heart Like a Wheel, The Band's Stage Fright, David Oistrakh (with Horenstein and the LSO) performing the Hindemith Violin Concerto, and Reference Recordings' Nojima Plays Lizst, among other heavyweights--at www.tapeproject.com/catalog/catalog.htm.

It's almost too much for a poor boy to handle!

Greg will be arriving this Friday to give me a refresher course on tape recorders and tape recordings. Several of The Tape Project tapes should arrive on Thursday, with more slated for the coming months. As soon as I can I will post a picture of the Tascam lit up and in action. And as soon as I am able I'll begin to blog in detail about the Tascam, how to use it, and how it sounds. Until then, I'll just be sitting in front of it, drooling.

We all like talking about the sound of mastertapes--and guessing about how closer our systems take us via records and CDs and SACDs to their sound. Now, finally, after forty years of guessing, I will be in a position to actually tell you (and tell myself) if Turntable A or CD Player B is, indeed, coming closer to the sound of the mastertape! What an extraordinary treat!

Another blog on The Absolute Sound web site.

"and fed by the best sources I’ve heard—the Walker Proscenium Black Diamond Mk II record

player with Da Vinci Reference Grandezza Mk II cartridge and the

“Level 5” United Home Audio TASCAM 15ips, two-track tape deck playing back fabulous

second-generation mastertapes from The Tape Project."

Picture Jonathan took in his house.

Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2009 NEWS:

Jonathan Valin from

The Absolute Sound gives

Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2009

"Best Source Component Award"

The UHA-HQ Reel to Reel Deck!

Jonathan Valin's

Best Sound of Show:

Vandersteen Model 7, with the Nola Baby Grand Reference, the MBL 111F,

The Nordic Tone, the Lotus Group Granada,

the Anat Reference II (Parish room only), and the GamuT S-9 runners-up

Best Introduction (or Speaker I Hadn’t Heard or Don’t Remember Hearing Before):

Lotus Group Granada, The Nordic Tone, the Haniwa HSP2H07 (tie)

Best Source Component:

The UHA-HQ 15ips 2-track tape deck from United Home Audio ($10k)

and Tape Project tapes in the Nola room.

Best Bargain:

Well…in my neck of the woods a bargain ain’t exactly a bargain,

but I did hear Odyssey Khartagos sounding mighty damn sweet in somebody’s room

Biggest Improvement Over Previous Shows:

Focal Grande Utopia and Vivid G1 Giya (tie)

Biggest Improvement During the Show:

Wilson Sasha W/P

_________________________________________

TAS, avguide.com web site forum postings:

_______________________________

Rex (not verified) -- Tue, 10/06/2009 - 17:40

Jonathan,

How did the Nola Baby Grands perform when fed by your personal CDs?

Did they even have a CD player set up?

Regards,

Rex

____________________________________

Jonathan Valin -- Wed, 10/07/2009 - 01:27

Rex,

To tell you the truth I was so entranced by the sound

of the tapes I don't know if Carl had a CD player.

Jon

Pictured below with optional Celtic side panels and Celtic reels.

UHA INTRODUCES!

"THE" newest / oldest, and simply the best

"High Resolution Audio" format

HQ REEL TO REEL TAPE DECKS.

We now have several models available all based on "Professional decks".

The workhorse decks are made for a professional recording studio and will provide precision performance

over the long haul. These decks were manufactured until 2003 or 2004 and are built like a tank, almost as heavy too.

We chose this deck because it is compatable with The Tape Project tapes and offers a host of professional features.

But foremost was the fact that these are not 40 year old decks like the Technics 1500's, Studer's, or Revox's.

A 40 year old deck like a 40 year old car will have it's mechanical problems, not to mention parts will not be available.

That's why we can offer a two year parts and labor warranty on the UHA-HQ decks!

Any shipping charges are not included in warranty.

All UHA decks include the following.

1.) Tape size: 1/4” tape, switchable reel size 5", 7" or 10 1/2" reels.

2.) Tape head: 2 track sometimes called half track heads because each channel

uses half of the tape for stereo. This results in maximum signal on the tape and the best sound.

3.) Tape speed: Selectable 7 1/2 inches per second or 15 inches per second record and playback.

4.) EQ Switch: Select either NAB or IEC record and playback, (IEC produces the best sound).

5.) Servo-controlled tape tension:

All UHA decks come standard with "servo tape control",

this actually feeds the exact amount of power to the motors as

determined by the tape tension guides. A feature usually found on

only large industrial studio console decks.

6.) XLR or RCA inputs and outputs: Full featured deck with both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs.

7.) Upgraded RCA connectors: with UHA custom selectable RCA output of

+6db or +12db. The output is easily selectable via a toggle switch on the rear of the unit.

The result is a much more dynamic output from the RCA outputs

and on +12db is quite suitable for low power tube playback.

8.) The Tape Project Playback: All decks sound amazing and are set up and ready to playback

"The Tape Project" Master Tapes.

Every machine has 7 1/2 inch per second or 15 inch per second playback or record.

Will play 10 1/2" Reels

Has a switch on the front faceplate to select either IEC or NAB playback or record.

IEC is the best sounding record or playback EQ setting; IEC is required for "The Tape Project" playback.

Option list with explanations below.

Available with 22 options!

Starting at only $3998!

We have 6 packages that simplify your choices, call or come

by the store for further details. We can simplify your choices and create

a deck within your budget.

Phase 1 Deck = $3998 includes:

1.) Four complete circuit redesigns that provide a more direct signal path

resulting in improved playback or recording.

2.) Removal of over 20 FET's in the audio signal path.

3.) Black gloss Porsche quality paint.

4.) NEW SSC audiophile quality vibration canceling feet in black gloss.

5.) Custom 10.5" NAB hubs in black.

Phase 2 Deck = $5500

All the above plus new redesigned playback preamp.

Redesign of circuitry removes the syncro circuit, muting circuit, fixed output circuit,

these are entire circuits composed of 38 FET’s that inhibit the purity of the signal path.

A newly designed high end playback preamp gives a great sound to the playback of The Tape Project tapes. There are extremely high end components in the Phase3 preamp, the latest high end electronic components on the market are employed in this cost no object redesign. This is not a just a capacitor or resistor “modifiers upgrade” this is a step back analyze and redesign done by a group of electrical engineers with 30 years of experience. The latest and best Quality Burr Brown IEC’s, Panasonic Caps, high end shielded wiring. Even the same High Quality gold relay used in the Conrad Johnson Art III preamp is used as a switching device between input and playback eliminating 8 FET’s in the signal path!

This redesign of the playback preamp results in the deck’s playback capabilities having an undeniably superior realism, more powerful dynamics, and a beautiful three dimensional soundstage.

Phase 3 Deck = $6998

All the above, plus a newly designed high end record preamp.

This gives a great sound to the tapes you record.

There are extremely high end components in the Phase3 REC preamp, the latest high end electronic components on the market are employed in this cost no object redesign. Just like the playback preamp redesign this is not a just a capacitor or resistor “modifiers upgrade” this is a step back analyze and redesign done by a group of electrical engineers with 30 years of experience. The latest and best Quality Burr Brown IEC’s, Panasonic Caps, high end shielded wiring. Even the same High Quality gold relay used in the Conrad Johnson Art III preamp is used as a switching device between input and playback eliminating 8 FET’s in the signal path!

This redesign of the record preamp has also removed numerous entire circuits that inhibit the sound quality. This results in the deck’s record capabilities having an undeniably superior realism, more powerful dynamics, and a beautiful three dimensional soundstage.

Please note:

The newest technology (and newest electronic components)

employed in the following 3 units will far surpass

the capabilities of a 30 or 40 year old tape deck,

regardless of brand or model.

Phase 4 Deck = $9998

1.) All the above plus the UHA-HQ Playback tape head!

2.) The new HQ Playback also requires an all out redesign of the preamp specifically

for the UHA-HQ Playback Head.

The tape recording capabilities of reel to reel decks is awesome, legendary in fact.

Now UHA takes that to a new level in a consumer sized deck.

New UHA-HQ head on the right, stock head on the left, big difference!

The new hand-made UHA-HQ Playback head is an all out assault on the best playback possible in the world at this time. This head is 5 times as big as a stock head and caused its own set of challenges getting it to fit on the Tascam head block. However it was done and works perfectly to say the least, it must be heard to be believed. This was the deck that Jonathan Valin awarded “Best Source Component” of the RMAF 2009! What else can be said?

Phase 5 Deck includes HQ Record head = $11,250

1.) All of the above plus the UHA-HQ Record head.

2.) An all out redesign of the record preamp

Specifically for the UHA-HQ record head.

If you want to be able to make the finest recordings possible then this is your deck! Record from vinyl and you will be amazed that the recordings seem more alive than the original source. We have had the owners of these decks all experience this same phenomenon. Like the UHA-HQ playback head this head is 5 times the size of the stock head and was a challenge getting it to fit on the head block. It required three redesigns of the block but in the end it was a smashing success. All UHA-HQ heads are bolted in place for a lifetime of perfectly aligned recording.

The new Phase 6 deck $15,000

Almost available!

This deck represents the final HQ capabilities of a R2R deck.

We remove the 7.5ips capabilities and the NAB EQ capabilities in both playback and record modes. The deck is now optimized for only 15ips and IEC EQ operation in both playback and record. This also removes from the preamps all circuitry associated with those operations and they are numerous! The wiring is redesigned to provide a direct signal path through the PB and REC preamps with the shortest signal path possible. Of course we have used the latest and finest electrical components available today throughout the preamps.

The Phase6 deck includes Furutech Gold XLR connectors in put and output, also the Furutech Gold 20amp IEC connector!

A redesigned new power supply

This is the ultimate statement in a reel to reel tape deck packaged in a one box consumer sized unit. The newest technology in these units will far surpass the capabilities of a 30 or 40 year old tape deck. With the Phase 5 deck you will hear a clear ultra pure representation of the recorded music. The dynamics and soundstaging are the ultimate expression of the source component. The benefit of the Phase 6 deck is that recordings made on the deck sparkle with purity in the high end, pound you with three dimensional midrange dynamics, and make the room shudder with ultra clean bass.