Pole Star Audio, a small design and engineering startup founded two years ago in Prague, is currently developing what may be one of the most formally unusual consumer reel-to-reel tape decks ever built. The machine, tentatively called the Verticale One, positions its two 10.5-inch NAB reels not side by side in the conventional horizontal arrangement, but vertically: one directly above the other, on the same frontal plane, with the tape path running between them in a straight

Analog Soundware Restoration Lab - For the serious audiophile, the dedicated collector, and those captivated by the unparalleled fidelity of analog tape, this column will serve as your guide through the intricacies of restoration, servicing, maintenance, and the discerning acquisition of these magnificent machines.

Should You Buy an Open Reel to Reel Tape Deck

Is the analog preference in audio purely nostalgic, or does psychology really play a role?

The Studer A812 tape deck stands out for its sheer precision, ease of operation, and flexibility—features that are essential in a mastering or archival environment.