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Hi @ all
To bring some light into the dark: the plastic darklab- adapters are made from the original moulds of the former supplier of Studer / Revox I found in Switzerland. So the plastic parts are absolutely identical.
The aluminium tops are improved in design. Instead of screwing them to the bottom part like in the past it is possible due to most modern CAD / CNC manufacturing to make the tolerances so tight, that a assembly without screws is possible. This ensures a very good equilibration so there are no vibrations, not even on fast winding. That's a reason why the screwless design is protected at the German Patent office.
In opposite to some low cost (and still screw- on) tops, darklab metal parts are not only machined but also hand- polished. That's the reason why darklab metal tops have a smooth glossy appearance and it?s a good feeling if one holds them in his hands. It was never my intention to make the cheapest product, but the best. Since a couple of years, Revox in Germany purchases darklab adapter to sell them under the ReVox brand. I guess this is a proof for quality.
But, you can?t compare Studer adapters with darklab. For some models like A807 or A810 with standard trident reel take- up the darklab?s (or any other brand) fit as well, but for some Studer devices a special adaptor is needed because these adapters are part oft the recorders motor / spindle plate. These two systems are absolutely incompatible. In the high time of R2R recorder, in Europe?s pro scene reels was not often used, but tapes just wound on the so called AEG hub or bobby. So it was very seldom necessary to change the take up for hub or reel and the price was lower and less bothering these days.
I hope this helped along for some things, if there are some grammatical bugs ? I have not very often occasions to keep my English up to date. I?ll be not very often here, so if any questions don?t hesitate to contact me or Jeff directly.
Frank