The real reel problem is getting one that works at slow and very slow speeds and is reliable.  The rubber bands, sometime identified a belts, stretch and fall off on the cheap machines- I've just had it (in more than one sense) with a Tandburg, trying to get reliable playback at 1-7/8.  Grrr.
 
Then, as has already been pointed out, there is the matter of getting 2 track stereo in each direction or 4 tracks simultaneously in one.   The Aratris used to be good at slow speeds with 10" reels but turned unreliable with age, including electronic as well as transport problems.
 
Best bet is to be sure you know what you want, buy tow of the best model, identical, have them restored and use one as a back-up for the other when parts are unavailable.  And, fer cryin' out loud, find the service as well as consumer manual, even if a xerox, so you or your service person can keep it running in the future.
 
Steve Smolian 
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Rod Stephens
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:59 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] 4 track reel machines

Hello Anat,

This link will take you to the current Ebay site for reel to reel unit:


http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=reel+to+reel+tape+deck&sosortproperty=1&ht=1&from=R10&BasicSearch=

retreat wrote:
[log in to unmask] type="cite">

Hi,

Can anyone give me information where I can purchase a  4 track reel player? Or is anyone interested in selling one?

 

Anat Dagan

Krishnamurti archives

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard L. Hess
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 11:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] REVOX A77

 

Diederick,

It's very hard to say. Check eBay prices and then halve the highest one, but there are many issues:

Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV?

The Mark III and Mark IV have better hum shielding between the capstan motor and the play head.

Mark III and I think Mark IV were available with optional Dolby.

I've seen Studer A810s and A807s go on eBay for prices similar to A77s, and please allow me to suggest that the professional models were worth the difference when they were new. You can get good and bad in any flavor.

I had four A77s and sold my two high-speed models several years ago when I started "collecting" Sony APR-5003vs and Studer A810s and A807s. I still have my MK III Dolby unit and a beater 1/4 track MK I. I sold the HS MK 1.5s (I did some of the MK II-->MK II conversions myself) for $125 each--but that was to friends.

Anyway, it all depends what you want to do. Also, most A77s, I think, were sold as 1/4-track units. I converted most of mine to half-track (NAB) units. So be aware of what the head configuration is.

Finally, I do think there is an improvement in sound from the A77 to the A807, for example. I re-transferred some tapes I had done on an A77 when I got my Sony APR-5003V. (I think the APR and the A810 and the A807 all sound great).

One of the things with the A77 is that the tape path is not as robust as the pro machines. One of the things that makes the APR so nice, is that they hired someone (as I understand it) from Studer...

All of the pro machines have flutter idlers which seem to help with the "clarity" of the reproduction...although that is still open to debate.

Also, please check the availability of spare parts in your country (and elsewhere--I've bought Studer spare parts from New Zealand, Canada, and England, and Nakamichi parts from Turkey!)

Cheers,

Richard
http://www.richardhess.com/tape/
Glendale, California USA




At 12:04 PM 3/28/2004 +0200, you wrote:

Dear Listmembers
 
Someone has got a REVOX A77 which he bought in the 1970's that he would like to sell.  What do you think would be a good offer to make him?
 
Kind regards,
 
Diederick Basson
Stellenbosch
South Africa