Hi Jan and Paul:

Best luck I've had with super-thin tapes is on the Technics iso-loop transport. The only caveat is
that the top guides do not tolerate badly slit tape if it's slit too wide. So absolute crapola tape,
no. Real-deal branded thin tape, probably good to go.

You also might be OK with the last-generation Tascam reel decks, the ones with the ceramic capstans
that were about 1/2" diameter. If the pinchroller is good rubber, there should be enough pinch area
to properly drive very thin tape.

All of that said, if you don't HAVE to use the thin tape (ie there is something valuable that you
want to transfer to other media), don't use it. Never pay a penny for it. It's junk. If you do have
program content you need to transfer, be prepared for very high levels of print-through, pre-echo
and post-echo.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Stamler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 7:02 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Revox B77 reel to reel tape recorder any good?


> On 12/26/2013 2:47 PM, Jan Myren wrote:
>> HI!
>>
>> I am considering to purchase a second hand Revox B-77 reel to reel recorder since my Tandberg TD
>> 20A seems to be difficult to get repaired and don't like some types of tapes. The Tandberg TD 20A
>> mostly like Maxell 1800 ft (7") /3600 ft. (10.5") tapes and also do a poor job on recording on
>> 7" 2400 ft. tapes that I obtained second hand some time ago.
>
> EVERYTHING has a hard time recording on 2400' 7" reels; the tape is too thin, and the oxide layer
> is alxo too thin. My advice: throw those 2400' reels away.
>
>> http://www.finn.no/finn/torget/annonse?finnkode=43867045&searchQuery=revox
>>
>>
>> Does this seem to be a clever choice or something I should consider, like try to repair my TD 20A
>> one more time?
>
> My experience with the B77 is that it's a pretty reliable machine, probably more reliable than the
> Tandberg.
>
>
>> What kind of tapes is the Revox B77 adjusted for? Is it difficult to repair if anything fails?
>
> The B77 can be adjusted for any type of tape, and there's no predicting qat this machine was last
> set up for.
>
> If you buy this machine with the intent of making new recordings on it, you will need to include
> in your budget some money for a qualified technician to set t up properly for the tape you intend
> to use. You will need to choose a tape -- I recommend RMB 911 -- and STICK WITH IT if you hope to
> achieve preictable results.
>
>
>> Since this is a 33/4 and 71/2 ips machine I guess it is a 4 track machine?
>> Any idea of how old this machine is?
>
> No idea, but my guess would be mid-1970s.
>
>> Hope to get some good advices from you Revox users, since I have no experience with Revox, only
>> Tandberg.
>> Any observations–thoughts would be most welcome.
>
> Revox made good machines. Have this one properly adjusted, and the results will only be limited by
> the track width and 7.5 ips maximum speed. But you'll get about as good a recording as that
> width/speed combination is capable of making.
>
> If you really want the experience of analog tape recording done right, though, get a half-track
> machine that will run at 15 inches per second. The difference is huge.
>
> Peace,
> Paul
>
>