TDK AUDUA LB Series

TDK’s AUDUA LB Series reel to reel tape is a slightly improved version of their SD Super Dynamic Tape and was released in the late 1970s. The”B” is for the additional back coating. This is a type 3 Low Noise, High Output tape with a higher bias requirement.  Like the SD, the high bias made these tapes sound brighter on older equipment, and when used with the older (and cheaper) machines at the time, users felt they sounded better due to their better frequency response, particularly at 3-3/4 ips.  Later, machines with a tape selector allowed them to be used at the proper bias, where the full capabilities of the tape could be used. The AUDUA tapes still hold their quality today and can be used today – however we have seen some small scale oxide shedding when crumpled at the beginning or end of the tapes. Also, the leader tape adhesive normally fails by now, so you might need to reattach it.

Note: Like the SDs, The 1200 ft (360m) version on 7″ tape reels have reels with larger hubs using the same LP tape thickness of the 1800 ft (550m) version. To our knowledge, they never produced an SP or DP tape so it’s LP only. All used a single window gray plastic reel, and the tape has an almost black shiny surface.

The back-coated version packaging had an orange hue to differentiate the box. There are reports that some batches suffer from white powder syndrome – a condition where some of the binder dries out and forms a white powder. We haven’t found any of these in our testing – we believe the later tapes (LX, GX) suffer from this problem. As a result, we recommend these tapes and sell them as refurbished.