Precision Playback Systems for Analog Master Tapes
Since 1987
Thirty-five years ago, Cello professional tape electronics were the unrivaled state-of-the-art. Today, ATAE continues to support these superbly-crafted Cello products, still favored by leading record label mastering engineers.
Adolph Thal Audio Engineering builds analog magnetic audio tape reproducers optimized for archival transfer, restoration, and critical listening applications. Our modern reproducers are based on legendary Studer A80 and A820 tape transport mechanisms exactingly re-manufactured in our own facility.
Focused on Playback
Every ATAE reproducer is designed around the requirements of uncompromisingly accurate sonic reproduction and responsible heritage master tape conservation.
Playback Optimization
ATAE reproducers are dedicated playback platforms designed to recover the maximum amount of information from analog master recordings.
Preservation-Oriented
Transport modifications are engineered to dramatically reduce unnecessary tape stress and support future playback of aging archival media.
Studer-Based Systems
Built upon the legendary Swiss-manufactured Studer A80 and A820 platforms, with our specialized mechanical and electronic upgrades developed through decades of refinement.
Uncompromised Playback Quality
For nearly four decades of continuous mechanical and mechatronic refinement and on-going evolution of dedicated magnetic tape playback electronics, ATAE has steadily improved the sonic accuracy of analog audio tape reproduction
Our famous, exactingly re-manufactured, high-precision Studer A80 transports deliver the lowest time-base distortion of any analog magnetic audio tape transport ever sold. Fitted with our SHRO head blocks with calibrated azimuth adjustment and your choice of playback electronics, ATAE reproducers deliver the highest obtainable quality of sonic reproduction for critical archival transfer and restoration workflows.
What Leading Industry Professionals Are Saying
"It is only because of the meticulous services of Adolph (“Fred”) Thal of ATAE that we've been able to remanufacture our Studer A820 machines into ATAE reproducers with their precision SHRO headblocks, calibrated azimuth adjusters and audiophile quality tape head preamps."
Eric Jacobs — The Audio Archive
"Fred Thal is among the most knowledgeable individuals I know when it comes to analog tape recording and reproduction."
Mark Waldrep, PhD — Audio Technology Educator and Author
"Fred Thal of ATAE is the world's expert on Studer tape machines."
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