Sonic Perfectionists specializes in Tube Amp and SACD Player Modifications, as well as Tape (Reel to Reel, Cassette, DAT, Elcaset) to CD conversions and restorations.

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Our Equipment


  • 78 RPM Record Playback Systems:
    • Thorens TD-126 MK II record playback system

      Thorens TD-126 MK II

      For both our Standard level 1, and for our Virtual Analog level 2 conversions of 33 1/3 RPM LPs and 45 RPM records, we use a (slightly modified) transcription-grade Thorens TD-126 Mk II turntable (successor to the legendary Thorens TD-124, and TD-125 turntables), fitted with the excellent, and somewhat unusual grace 704 oil-damped unipivot tone-arm, a Special 78 compatible Grado, or Ortofon cartridge, a Thorens Record Stabilizer, and a "Way Excellent Turntable Mat" made by Herbies Audio Lab. Preamplification is handled by the combination of a matching very high-quality Denon Step-up transformer, and a superb sounding (slightly modified) Conrad Johnson vacuum-tube preamp. This is an excellent setup that when new had a total retail value of over $4,000, and is capable of a higher level of overall sound quality than most people have ever experienced out of Vinyl.



  • Reel to Reel Tape Playback Systems
    • Sony TC-880-2

      Sony TC-880-2

      For 1/4" tapes recorded at both 15 ips, and 7.5 ips, whether they be Mono, Stereo, Half-Track or Quarter-Track (for 15 ips), will normally be played-back on the one of our superb Sony TC-880-2s. As anyone in the know can testify, this machine is simply one of the very finest analog recorders of its type ever made.

      The sound out of this recorder is so exceptional that we have even heard from one studio engineer who says that he can some details on his master tapes through a TC-880-2 that he had never previously heard when listening to them on his Studer! In fact, one audiophile record label thinks so highly of this particular machine (Maple Shade Records) that they exclusively use one of these recorders to record all of their superb audiophile recordings.


    • Sony TC-765

      Sony TC-765

      For 1/4" quarter-track tapes recorded at 7.5, and 3.75 ips, and that were recorded on machines using the American standard NAB equalization (whether they be in Mono or Stereo), will by default be played back using our excellent Sony TC-765 tape deck. This machine may not be as well known as is its bigger brother the TC-880-2, but it should be! The TC-765 is simply the very best consumer-speed open-reel tape deck that Sony ever made. And that is saying something, because Sony made a number of very nice sounding machines over the years!

      This machine has a slightly warm and rich character to its sound that is somewhat reminicent of listening to some really nice-sounding classic tube equipment. This is my personal favorite slow speed machine, but since not all recording will sound their best on this machine, we offer some other playback options too.


    • Tandberg TD-20A

      Tandberg TD-20A

      Upon special request, or if we should determine that a tape appears to have been recorded using the European standard IEC equalization, rather than the American standard NAB EQ (the tube X-36 series Revoxes, all Tandbergs ever made, and most other european recorders conformed to the IEC EQ standards, not the American NAB standards), we will generally use our Tandberg TD-20A.

      This machine is a true classic, and may have (by a small margin) the flattest overall record-playback frequency response of any slow speed open-reel tape-deck ever made. And many audiophiles consider this to be one of the best sounding tape decks ever built.


  • Cassette Tape Playback Systems
    • Nakamichi Dragon

      Nakamichi Dragon

      For cassette tapes, we have two excellent sounding machines at out disposal. The more pretentious of the two is the Nakamichi Dragon. This is considered by many people to be of among the five or six very best cassette tape decks ever made, and is without a doubt among the top four Nakamichi cassette decks ever made.

      In addition to being able to decode both Dolby B, and Dolby C, this deck will automatically compensate for any azimuth discrepancies in the recorded tape to to reproduce it as faithfully as is possible. Furthermore the dual direct-drive capstans on this deck ensure the lowest flutter of any cassette deck ever made.

      DBX encoded tapes can decoded with the assistance of our dbx model 224 noise reduction unit.


    • Kyocera D-811

      Kyocera D-811

      The Kyocera D-811 cassette deck is a true "sleeper". While not very well known, this deck's performance is easily equal to anything short of the very top end Nakamichi's, and it's sound is actually superior to most of the middle of the line Nakamichis. This deck features both Dolby B, C, and HX-Pro and also features a closed-loop direct-drive capstan tape drive system. Many other highly regarded classic tape decks out there are humbled by this units superior overall performance.

      As with the Dragon, DBX encoded tapes can decoded with the assistance of our dbx model 224 noise reduction unit.


  • Elcaset Tape Playback Systems
    • Sony EL-7

      Sony EL-7 Elcaset

      The odds are that you've never seen one of these before! Elcaset was a very short-lived format that was introduced by Sony around 1976. It was designed to combine the superior sound quality of Open-Reel tape with convenience of compact cassette tapes. By sharing the 1/4 " wide tape used on open reel tape decks, and running at speed of 3.75ips (which was twice that of the compact cassette) they were indeed able to equal the performance of good consumer open Reel tape machine. But, much like Betamax, this format went the way of the dinosaur. It's really unfortunate that it failed in the marketplace, because it was actually a very nice sounding format.

      The EL-7 was Sonys top-of the line Elcaset machine. It featured three of Sony's excellent Ferrite & Ferrite tape heads, a three motor, closed-loop capstan transport, and was probably the best Elcaset deck ever made. So in the event that you should be have some old Elcaset tapes lying around that you would like converted, we can even help you with this!


  • DAT Playback Systems
    • Denon DTR-2000 G

      Denon DTR-2000G

      Another format that died a premature death was 16-bit consumer DAT (Digital Audio Tape). The Denon DTR-2000 was considered by many to be one of the very-best sounding machines in its day. And indeed with its 20 bit sigma-delta D to A converters it does indeed sound very nice. So if you have some DAT tapes that you want transfered over to CD, we can do that too.


  • Noise Reduction Units
    • DBX 224, 150 and Dolby 363 Noise Reduction Units

      DBX 224, 150 and Dolby 363 Noise Reduction Units

      We can properly decode almost any noise reduction that your tapes, or discs are likely to have been recorded with. Our DBX model 224 can decode any type II encoded material, such as consumer DBX encoded tapes, and DBX disks. Our DBX model 150 can decode any type I encoded material, such as studio master tapes, and tapes made with some later Akai and Teac machines. Our Dolby 363 can decode any Dolby A, or Dolby SR ecoded master tapes. Finally, we also have a Sony NR 355 Dolby B decoder (not pictured) which use to decode any Dolby B encoded reel to reel tapes that we happen to encounter.


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