[SteveFord]

A buddy of mine just picked up 400 prerecorded DAT tapes and is looking for a player so he can transfer them to CDs.
Can anyone recommend a good one?

[PRELUDE]

I had this one [FOSTEX D10] it was better then SONY and LUXMAN,but I am not sure if you can find one that easy.


Or look fof the D5 like this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fostex-D-5-Digital-Master-Recorder-DAT-Audio-Tape-/310473692451?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item4849ac9523

[FullRangeMan]

In the 90 years I used to backup Server files in DAT tapes with Compaq DAT drive in the PC, just as a CD/DVD drive.
The DAT drive is cheap and already connected to the PC for data transfer.

There is one used for $137 :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_0_9/176-8604243-1327354?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=dat+drive&sprefix=dat+drive%2Cpopular%2C377

[Rocket_Ronny]

Hi Steve:

I have used a Tascam DA-30 for the master mix down machine. It's a great piece. Still have it in a box. Hard to believe this is in the vintage circle.

Panasonic made some Dat machines, I forget the models now, 3700 maybe, but were in line with the DA-30 sonically.

Rocket_Ronny

[FullRangeMan]

Here is the proper link, a new HP DAT drive for $137:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BNSRME/ref=sr_1_2_olp?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1350006933&sr=1-2&keywords=dat+drive&condition=used

[Wayner]

I have a Tascam DA-30MKII.

Wayner

[Funnehaha]

I have both the Tascam DA-30 and the Panasonic 3700. I've used both of them and consider the sound of the Panasonic unit to be much better.
The Tascam unit was somehow just "constricted" somehow sonically. I would use the Panasonic unit for mastering, because tapes sounded better
 and the controls were much more ergonomic, and then use the Tascam to clone the master DAT if needed. There was a model 3800 also,
and it had a more extensive remote control.

[santacore]

Many a music album were mixed down to Panasonic 3700's. They seem to be in storage closets in every studio I've been too, so you can probably find one cheap. Just make sure you get one in good operational condition.