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T805

T805

$895.00 USD
$895.00 USD
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Next batch: August 2026

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OVERVIEW

A legendary 1970s tape machine reimagined as a 500 series module.

Utilizing the discrete transistor circuitry of a Swiss tape machine to drive a Tape Element™, the T805 delivers the magnetic experience of analog tape without any of the maintenance.

Read about our patented Full Spectrum Magnetization™ to learn more about this revolution in audio magnetism.

READ MORE

FEATURES

  • Recreates the AC Bias recording process in a Tape Element
  • Creates natural high-frequency magnetic compression
  • Provides direct control over magnetic hysteresis, from subtle coloration to intense saturation
  • Recreates the Record Driver and Bias Oscillator circuitry of a 1970s Swiss tape machine
  • Includes an accurate head bump modeled on an 80s Swiss tape machine
  • Fully analog 500 series module
  • Designed, assembled, and tested in the United States

The T805 absolutely sounds like a tape machine. Almost in an eerie way. I glanced at the technical documents on how you achieved this but all it took was 1 second of hearing a drum set run through these units to understand how they were uniquely different.

— Chris Coady
(Beach House, Slowdive, Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

CONTROLS

GAIN

Controls the magnetic field strength in the Tape Element

  • Adjusts the input level by ±20 dB
  • Simultaneously applies ±20 dB attenuation at the output, maintaining consistent output level during adjustment

BIAS

Sets the level of the bias field in the Tape Element

  • Raising bias provides less color (overbias)
  • Lowering bias provides more color (underbias)
  • 0 dB provides the nominal calibration (maximum sensitivity)

HF

Restores high frequencies attenuated by bias

  • Provides up to 8 dB of gain at 20 kHz prior to the Tape Element
  • 4 dB provides the nominal setting when bias is set for maximum sensitivity

OUT

Increases the output level

  • Provides 16 dB of gain after the Tape Element

IN

  • ON: Engages the full T805 circuit and Tape Element
  • OFF: True analog bypass

PRESETS

NOMINAL

The Nominal calibration yields maximum bias sensitivity and a balance of color and magnetic compression. This provides a tape sound commonly heard in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s.

Listen to the NOMINAL calibration applied to all individual tracks and the mix bus.
GAIN set with the meter hovering between -12VU and -6VU.

Digital

T805 (NOMINAL)

Artist: Fleurs, Song: Sway

OVERBIAS

The Overbias calibration yields less color and less magnetic compression. This provides a tape sound commonly heard in the 70s and later.

Listen to the OVERBIAS calibration applied to all individual tracks and the mix bus.
GAIN set with the meter hovering between -12VU and -6VU.

Digital

T805 (OVERBIAS)

Artist: Fleurs, Song: Sway

SPECIFICATIONS

Line Inputs Max Level: +26 dBu
Impedance: 24 kΩ balanced, 18 kΩ unbalanced
Line Outputs Max Level: +26 dBu
Impedance: 50 Ω
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±1.5 dB (Bias: 0, HF: 4)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 75 dB, A-weighted
70 dB, unweighted
Bias Frequency 100 kHz
Power Consumption +16V @ 85 mA
-16V @ 75 mA

USER MANUAL

VIEW PDF

FAQ

How is the T805 different than other devices?

A Tape Element™ magnetizes the full audio spectrum and an ultrasonic bias signal, providing a flat magnetic frequency response. This allows us to recreate the AC bias tape recording process without moving parts.

Can two T805s be used in stereo?

Yes! We hand calibrate each T805 during assembly so they behave closely when all knobs are in the center position. That said, each T805 is inherently unique due to small variations between Tape Elements, similar to the differences you’d find between tracks on a tape machine.

When precise stereo matching is required, two units can be calibrated with the same procedure used to align the record side of a tape machine. Instructions for this can be found in the Calibration section of the user manual. Once you're familiar with the process, calibration typically takes less than a minute.

If two units ever seem inconsistent with all knobs centered, please reach out to us at support@waltersaudio.com.

What causes the noise floor in the T805?

The noise in the T805 is not electronic hiss or a circuit limitation. It is a natural result of recreating the AC bias magnetic recording process used in tape machines.

The effect is a magnetic phenomenon called Barkhausen noise. The 100 kHz bias signal constantly drives the magnetization inside the Tape Element back and forth. As this happens, the magnetic material does not change smoothly. It moves in many tiny discrete steps. Each microscopic step creates a small random disturbance, and when many of these occur rapidly, they combine into a broadband noise floor.

In other words, the noise floor is the sound of the Tape Element's magnetic material being excited by AC bias, the same physical process used in analog tape recording.

Why is there odd behavior when the BIAS control is set higher than +3?

As the BIAS control is increased past +3, the Tape Element and tape driving circuitry is driven beyond the normal operating range of a properly biased tape machine. Instead of improving linearity, excessive bias begins to work against the recording process.

In this region, the magnetic behavior becomes strongly nonlinear and can produce unusual compression, level shifts, and other unexpected effects. Some users may find this useful for creative sound shaping.

For standard tape machine behavior, we recommend setting BIAS between -2 and +2.