Fuji type I

For details on the measurement method look here.

 

INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Maxell UR (1994)  (what the deck was calibrated for)

Relative bias: (reference)
Relative sensitivity: (reference)
THD @ Dolby level: 0.42%
MOL400(THD=1%): +3.4dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -1.3dB
Bias noise: -49.5dB, -52.5dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.8dB

Concerning sensitivity at 400Hz this UR seems a close match for the 1981 and 1994 IEC I references. At 10kHz UR sits between the old and the new reference.

Fuji ER (1982)

Relative bias: -3
Relative sensitivity: -0.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.0%
MOL400(1%): 0dB
MOL400(3%): +2.4dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.0dB
SOL10k: -1.7dB
Bias noise: -50.4dB, -53.8dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.2dB

Fuji FR-I (1982)

Relative bias: -1
Relative sensitivity: +0.5dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.46%
MOL400(1%): +3.4dB
MOL400(3%): +5.9dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.1dB
SOL10k: -0.4dB
Bias noise: -49.2dB, -52.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: 58.8dB

There was a lot of difference between side A and B, possibly indicative of wear and azimuth instability. Bias was probably set a bit low in order to compensate for treble losses. Otherwise this would have been an excellent tape.

Fuji DR (1985)

Relative bias: 0
Relative sensitivity: -0.9dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.0%
MOL400(1%): 0dB
MOL400(3%): +3.2dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: -1.0dB
Bias noise: -48.5dB, -51.8dB(A)
Dynamic range: 55.0dB

Made by Saehan.

Fuji DR-Ix (1990)

Relative bias: -2
Relative sensitivity: -0.4dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.82%
MOL400(1%): +0.7dB
MOL400(3%): +3.4dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -1.6dB
Bias noise: -49.7dB, -53.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.6dB




INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Agfa type II

For a detailed overview of the test methods used look here.

INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Maxell XLII 90 (1994)  (my calibration reference)   

Relative bias: (reference)
Relative sensitivity: (reference)
THD @ Dolby level: 0.62%
MOL400(THD=1%) : +1.8dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +5.5dB
SOL10k: -3.4dB
Bias noise: -54.8dB, -59.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 64.5dB

I repeat here the results for the tape my Nak BX-300 is calibrated for in type II position, the 1994 XLII. All following results take this as reference.

Agfa CrII-S Superchrom HDX (1982)

Relative bias: -2.5
Relative sensitivity: -2.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 3.3%
MOL400(1%) : -7.5dB
MOL400(3%):  -0.4dB
MOL1k(3%): -2.8dB
SOL10k: -7.4dB
Bias noise: -55.8dB, -60.6dB(A)
Dynamic range: 60.2dB

This is, uniquely, a ferro-chrome for the type II position. Here too the chrome layer has aged, losing its sensitivity (you can learn more on CrO2-aging here). Reducing bias flattens the curves, but the ferric layer cannot save the day and consequently MOL is very low. So is noise ... Like about all Agfas I tried from that era the shell is very chattery during winding.

Agfa Stereochrom HD (1984)

Relative bias: -3
Relative sensitivity: -3.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 4.6%
MOL400(1%) : -8.6dB
MOL400(3%): -2.0dB
MOL1k(3%): -2.7dB
SOL10k: -8.1dB
Bias noise: -55.1dB, -59.6dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.6dB

Agfa C-DXII (1986)

Relative bias: -3
Relative sensitivity: -3.5dB
THD @ Dolby level: 5.6%
MOL400(1%) : -9.4dB
MOL400(3%):  -2.9dB
MOL1k(3%): -3.6dB
SOL10k: -7.7dB
Bias noise: -55.4dB, -60.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.2dB

Agfa C-DXIIS (1986)

Relative bias: -3
Relative sensitivity: -2.7dB
THD @ Dolby level: 3.7%
MOL400(1%) : -7.1dB
MOL400(3%):  -0.8dB
MOL1k(3%): -3.0dB
SOL10k: -7.3dB
Bias noise: -54.8dB, -59.7dB(A)
Dynamic range: 58.9dB

Agfa SR (1989)

Relative bias: -2.5
Relative sensitivity: -0.4dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.4%
MOL400(1%) : -1.3dB
MOL400(3%):  +3.2dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -5.2dB
Bias noise: -53.8dB, -57.7dB(A)
Dynamic range: 60.9dB

And again something weird and wonderful from Agfa. This tape is greyish-black, yet it lacks the smell typical of chromium dioxide product. MOL, sensitivity, and noise are too high for degraded chrome, yet too low for a good ferro-cobalt tape. It is likely a magnetite-based ferro-cobalt, possibly the first type II with that chemistry. And that might make it the precursor of the 1991 Maxell XLII-S, if you know that there was cooperation between both manufacturers at that time!

Allegedly part of SR production was loaded with CrO2.




INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Memorex type II

For a detailed overview of the test methods used look here.

INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Maxell XLII 90 (1994)  (my calibration reference)   

Relative bias: (reference)
Relative sensitivity: (reference)
THD @ Dolby level: 0.62%
MOL400(THD=1%) : +1.8dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +5.5dB
SOL10k: -3.4dB
Bias noise: -54.8dB, -59.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 64.5dB

These are the results for the tape my Nak BX-300 is calibrated for in type II position, the 1994 XLII. All following results take this as reference.

Memorex CRS+ Chrome (1992)

Relative bias: +1.5
Relative sensitivity: -0.1dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.78%
MOL400(1%) : +1.0dB
MOL400(3%):  +4.9dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.1dB
SOL10k: -2.4dB
Bias noise: -50.6dB, -54.7dB(A)
Dynamic range: 59.6dB

Made by Saehan. Very high noise.

Memorex CRS-X Chrome Super (1992)

Relative bias: +3
Relative sensitivity: 0.0dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.60%
MOL400(1%) : +1.8dB
MOL400(3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(3%): +5.7dB
SOL10k: -1.8dB
Bias noise: -50.4dB, -53.8dB(A)
Dynamic range: 59.1dB

Made by Saehan. Probably the same tape as CRS+.



INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Memorex type I

For details on the measurement method look here.

 

INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES

Maxell UR (1994)  (what the deck was calibrated for)

Relative bias: (reference)
Relative sensitivity: (reference)
THD @ Dolby level: 0.42%
MOL400(THD=1%): +3.4dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -1.3dB
Bias noise: -49.5dB, -52.5dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.8dB

Concerning sensitivity at 400Hz this UR seems a close match for the 1981 and 1994 IEC I references. At 10kHz UR sits between the old and the new reference.

Memorex MRX2 (1974)

Relative bias: -2.5
Relative sensitivity: 0dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.0%
MOL400(1%): 0dB
MOL400(3%): +2.6dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.4dB
SOL10k: -2.5dB
Bias noise: -48.4dB, -51.6dB(A)
Dynamic range: 54.2dB

This is the one from the 'Is It Live ...' ads. In the 1973 October issue of Audio one M.B.Martin writes that for a high-quality reproduction of music four different tape classes can be considered: 1) Low Noise High Output, 2) chromium dioxide, 3) magnetite or cobalt-doped gamma ferric oxide, and 4) ... highly-developed gamma ferric oxide or MRX2.

Small detail: the author of that magazine article was a Memorex employee.

Memorex MRX3 (1978)

Relative bias: -1.5
Relative sensitivity: +0.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.0.%
MOL400(1%):  0dB
MOL400(3%): +3.0dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.2dB
SOL10k: -1.5dB
Bias noise: -49.1dB, -52.3dB(A)
Dynamic range: 55.3dB

Memorex MRXI (1982)

Relative bias: -1
Relative sensitivity: +0.5dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.52%
MOL400(1%): +2.2dB
MOL400(3%): +5.3dB
MOL1k(3%): +4.4dB
SOL10k: -1.4dB
Bias noise: -48.7dB, -51.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.2dB

The tape surface was free of blemishes, and yet the measurements clearly show wear.

Memorex dBS (1987)

Relative bias: +5
Relative sensitivity: 0dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.40%
MOL400(1%): +4.0dB
MOL400(3%): +6.5dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: +0.1dB
Bias noise: -46.6dB, -50.0dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.5dB

Made by SKC.

Memorex Sound Invasion (1990)

Relative bias: -2.5
Relative sensitivity: -0.1dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.95%
MOL400(1%): +0.1dB
MOL400(3%): +2.8dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.4dB
SOL10k: -0.8dB
Bias noise: -48.1dB, -51.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 54.0dB

Memorex dBS I (1990)

Relative bias: 0
Relative sensitivity: -0.8dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.65%
MOL400(1%): +1.3dB
MOL400(3%): +4.0dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: -2.4dB
Bias noise: -49.2dB, -52.6dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.6dB

Made by Saehan.

Memorex dB (1991)

Relative bias: +0.5
Relative sensitivity: -0.6dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.60%
MOL400(1%): +1.5dB
MOL400(3%): +4.4dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.7dB
SOL10k: -2.1dB
Bias noise: -49.7dB, -53.0dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.4dB

Memorex dB (1994)

Relative bias: 0
Relative sensitivity: -0.4dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.52%
MOL400(1%): +2.2dB
MOL400(3%): +5.1dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: -2.0dB
Bias noise: -49.1dB, -51.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: 57.0dB

Made by Forward.

Memorex DBx (1995)

Relative bias: -1
Relative sensitivity: 0dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.55%
MOL400(1%): +1.9dB
MOL400(3%): +4.9dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: -1.7dB
Bias noise: -48.4dB, -51.5dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.4dB

According to Hi-Fi Choice November 1995 the rights to the Memorex brand name fell into BASF's hands, at least for Europe. This DBx sports a BASF shell, AGFA-style hubs, but the tape is very slightly redder than 1991 or 1995 Ferro Extra I.




INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES