New type II tapes
 

As I spend more time tinkering with my RX-505 I set out looking for good quality blank tapes. It seems the prices on a lot of NOS tapes are completely insane, I don't know if people intend on using these tapes or just collecting 30 year old sealed blanks. Anyway, there is a company called National Audio Company that makes their own blanks using NOS BASF tape spools rolled into their own custom shells. The cost is much cheaper than NOS tapes you'll find on EBay and they're highly regarded.

They've also acquired the machinery necessary to make their own tape and are said to be releasing their own brand new type II formulation next year. I have no affiliation with them, but for those who are still having fun with tape decks, it's a great source for new, quality tape on the cheap.

That is gret news. Thanks.:banana:

Figured I'd update this since I've received a few PMs around tapes so I know at least a couple people here care :) The new tape formulation NAC is making is actually a Type I, not a Type II as I originally posted. They're currently out of the Type IIs made with the old BASF tape, but that's due to them having new shells made so they will be restocked.

I've made a handful of tapes with their "771" tapes and I have to say I'm really impressed. For about a buck a tape including j-card and case I don't think you can do much better. I've since stocked up on a number of vintage Maxell XLIIs and TDK SAs from the 80s and early 90s, but I'll stockpile more NAC tapes when they're restocked.

Have you tried their Type I formulation?

I've heard their 731 tapes are pretty horrible. With them being priced so close to the type IIs (when they're back in stock) there was never a point in me trying them. The only type I I've used lately was some late 80's TDK Ds and the results were pretty horrible so I'm just sticking to type IIs until their NAC's new formula comes out.