The Studer VU machine has a different topology than the ATR. While the
ATR uses a preamp in the transport to feed the VU meter IO module, the
Studer A80 MK1 has the playback preamp and output circuits all housed
in the overbridge. Also, the VU MK1 uses a low inductance centertapped
head which allows the head cable to be long enough to reach the
overbridge.
WRT tape handling, I have pristine specimens all 3 machines here and
can tell you that I would not put a tape with sticky splices on either
the ATR-100 or A820. The A80 transport with it's mechanical servo is
an order of magnitude more forgiving with sticky splices. IMHO the
ATR-100 is the last machine of this group I would use for transferring
a fragile tape. Runaway reels with no brakes, runaway capstan and
huge tension fluctuations from a sticky splice bouncing a tension arm
are my reasons for staying away from this machine with my fragile
tapes. It is , however, an amazing tape mover for non sticky,
unspliced reels. Finally, I have long since disabled the fast wind on
my ATR. I use the 60 in/sec wind speed and have replaced the fixed
guides with tiny bearings for a frictionless path.
All the best,
-mark
On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 11:33 AM, Andrew Hamilton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> As for the VU meters, although my A80 has the overbridge, I replaced the
> output module with a direct output one, which doesn't involve the VU meter
> circuit. Perhaps Abbey Road's machine can be used with direct outputs, even
> though they still can also use their VU metering, if desired...?
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