This continues my evaluation of old cassette tapes, using my Nakamichi
BX-300E and Audiotester software. This time Maxell's type I XL line and
derivatives.
For details on the measurement method look here.
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
Maxell UD-XL (1975)
Relative bias:-2
Relative sensitivity: +0.1dB
THD @ Dolby level: 1.2%
MOL400(1%): -0.5dB
MOL400(3%): +2.7dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.4B
SOL10k: -2.4dB
Bias noise: -49.3dB, -52.4dB(A)
Dynamic range: 55.1dB
This is the oldest Maxell I have. It came to me in 2019, unsealed, but also unused. It is considered to be a 1975 model, but this Japanese site places it in 1974.Why is this important? This was Maxell's first ferro-cobalt tape ('Epitaxial'), and contrary to TDK's SA of 1975, it was for the normal bias slot, and not a chrome substitute. XL was positioned as a luxury tape and a precision product, probably the first of its kind. Its performance is very similar to Scotch High Energy, another early cobalt-enriched ferric, but its build quality is vastly superior. UD-XL was also sold as the first version of Nakamichi EXII. It was replaced in 1977 with UD-XLI (normal bias, also see Hitachi UD-ER) and UD-XLII (high bias), while its aesthetics lived on in the first MX.
Maxell UD-XLI (1977)
Relative sensitivity: +0.8dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.55%
MOL400(1%): +2.3dB
MOL400(3%): +5.5dB
MOL1k(3%): +3.1dB
SOL10k: -1.6dB
Bias noise: -48.2dB, -51.2dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.7dB
This one came to me used, but in excellent condition. Significantly improved MOL over the UD-XL it replaced.
Maxell XLI (1982)
Relative sensitivity: +0.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.56%
MOL400(1%): +3.9dB
MOL400(3%): +7.0dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.7dB
SOL10k: -1.0dB
Bias noise: -49.1dB, -52.3dB(A)
Dynamic range: 59.3dB
An example of a premium tape differing only from a budget one, UR, in MOL, and not in bias noise. And yet, it sounds very good, takes levels easily, and is robust.
Maxell XLI (1985)
Relative bias: -1
Relative sensitivity: +1.1dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.55%
MOL400(1%): +3.3dB
MOL400(3%): +6.5dB
MOL1k(3%): +2.7dB
SOL10k: -0.4dB
Bias noise: -48.5dB, -52.0dB(A)
Dynamic range: 58.5dB
Maxell XLI-S (1980)
Relative sensitivity: +1.7dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.70%
MOL400(THD=1%): +3.2dB
MOL400(THD=3%): >7.0dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.5dB
SOL10k: -0.7dB
Bias noise: -46.7dB, -49.9dB(A)
Dynamic range: >56.9dB
A legend. Enormous bass MOL, see the lack of compression in the +6dB curve, but very high bias noise. And yet, in the CR-7, peaking at +7dB, it sounds very good. Incidentally, the tape is a pale brown, putting to rest the myth that cobalt-doped tape has to be dark!
Maxell XLI-S (1982)
Relative sensitivity: +0.8dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.67%
MOL400(THD=1%): +2.2dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +6.0dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -1.3dB
Bias noise: -50.4dB, -54.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 60.1dB
The bias setting is a compromise. With real music the presence depression is audible, and a slightly lower bias seems indicated, or better still, adapted recording equalisation for the lucky ones who own a deck so equiped. The low noise is attractive.
Maxell XLI-S (1985)
Relative sensitivity: +1.2dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.58%
MOL400(THD=1%): +2.8dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +6.4dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +3.0dB
SOL10k: -1.7dB
Bias noise: -50.5dB, -54.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 60.5dB
Not very different from the previous version.
Maxell XLI-S (1986)
Relative bias: +1
Relative sensitivity: +0.1dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.71%
MOL400(THD=1%): +1.1dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +4.3dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.9dB
SOL10k: -1.0dB
Bias noise: -51.1dB, -55.1dB(A)
Dynamic range: 59.4dB
XLI-S has a reputation for awesomeness, but this one was disappointing. Noise is low indeed, but MOL has dropped relative to the 1982 and 1985 versions, and so did the net dynamic range. Later versions of this tape, which I don't have, were also found in part of the Agfa HR-XS production.
Hitachi UD-ER (1977)
Relative bias:-2
Relative sensitivity: +0.9dB
THD @ Dolby level: 0.6%
MOL400(THD=1%): +2.0dB
MOL400(THD=3%): +5.0dB
MOL1k(THD=3%): +2.7dB
SOL10k: -1.2dB
Bias noise: -48.0dB, -51.0dB(A)
Dynamic range: 56.0dB
This is equivalent to the original Maxell UD-XLI. Curiously, while the Maxell UD-XLI and UD-XLII tapes were positioned as luxury products, with glossy J-cards and transparant boxes, the Hitachi versions were more prosaic. Old and used this cassette may be, it came to me in excellent condition.
INDEX OF ALL CASSETTES
