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  #1  
Old 01-19-2022, 02:27 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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Default Dolby B Decoder?

Does a separate decoder exist for Dolby-B-encoded tapes?

I have an old Revox A77 and a substantial library of reel-to-tapes that I recorded over the years with an equally old Advent 100A Dolby Unit. I don't want to record any more tapes, nor do I make use of the nifty mixer, microphone, and monitoring capabilities of the 100A, which is anyhow bulky and awkward to use. I'm hoping for a smaller, possibly playback-only decoder that I can use to play these tapes. -- Clark2
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Old 01-19-2022, 06:08 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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You should be able to find something like a Nakamichi NR-200 if you hunt around. That's an excellent unit.
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Old 01-19-2022, 06:53 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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Thanks, but over $1000 on eBay?! Too rich for my blood. I guess I'll just live with the Advent unit... -- Clark2
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Old 01-19-2022, 11:46 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark2 View Post
Thanks, but over $1000 on eBay?! Too rich for my blood ...
More than $1K? That's a crazy price! (And way more than Blue Book, FWIW.)
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines.
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Old 01-20-2022, 09:15 PM
slowGEEZR slowGEEZR is offline
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Nice one on eBay for $199.
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  #6  
Old 01-21-2022, 01:57 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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One question about this unit that isn't immediately clarified in the user manual: As mentioned above, I would be playing back previously recorded, Dolby-B-encoded tapes. Each tape has the calibration tone recorded on both tracks at the beginning. Since I won't be recording any new tapes, only connecting the playback side of each unit, is it straightforward to adjust the playback calibration of the NR-200 while ignoring the record calibration (most of the procedure described)? -- Clark2

Last edited by Clark2; 01-21-2022 at 02:01 PM. Reason: signature
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  #7  
Old 01-21-2022, 02:00 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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Nice one on eBay for $199.
Sorry to be dense (newbie on eBay!); I'm not seeing it. Could you post the link? -- Clark2
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Old 01-21-2022, 02:57 PM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark2 View Post
One question about this unit ... is it straightforward to adjust the playback calibration of the NR-200 while ignoring the record calibration (most of the procedure described)? -- Clark2
Yes, it is very, very easy to calibrate Dolby level on the NR-200. It's a great unit. Mine still gets some use, although not very often.
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines.
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  #9  
Old 01-21-2022, 06:02 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleeds View Post
Yes, it is very, very easy to calibrate Dolby level on the NR-200. It's a great unit. Mine still gets some use, although not very often.
Thanks! -- Clark2
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  #10  
Old 01-23-2022, 12:07 PM
Clark2 Clark2 is offline
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Default Dolby B Decoding in Software?

On this topic, why not digitize the tapes and do the decoding in software. There is at least one program available for this, "DDi Codec," although I don't know if it's any good. Does anyone know of others? Has anyone tried this approach?

The downside would be that it takes a lot of up-front time, although many of my recordings are just copies of vinyl disks, some of which I still have and could play directly. (Perhaps most of these disks are already available on my streaming service.) The potential advantage is to get rid of the old hardware AND tape library, moving everything onto CDs... -- Clark2
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