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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Studer 4 tracks...?
« on: January 22, 2013, 12:05:46 AM »
AFAIK Studer never made a standard machine with both 1/4 and 1/2 track heads. The usual way to achieve this is to sacrifice the record function and replace the record head with a second replay head.
The Studer A80R/RC is very popular. I have one modified to carry both heads. The problem with the R/RC is that changing equalization is done by swapping a card on the repro amp. If you wish to replay say Tape Project tapes you need an IEC card. If you witch to the other head to replay 7.5 ips 1/4 track tapes you would have to change these(delicate ) cards to do so. I personally overcame this by allocating each card its own set of replay electronics. This avoids a switch at low levels.I have not explored this but it is probably possible to build an eq card that does 15ips IEC and 7.5 ips NAB.The A 80 VU has a switch on the front panel that allows switching between NAB/IEC.
Twin sets of electronics behind the Eros repro amp

The other option I have is to do the same with the heads but use an external repro amp. I have an A67 with both heads wired out to a Bottlehead Eros that switches between NAB /IEC.
Twin outputs avoiding low level switching

For heads: Greg Orton builds a simply stunning Flux Magnetics Extended Response 1/4 track head that is a drop in for the A80R/RC.My A67 is fitted with Nortronics Pro heads from John French. These are very,very good sounding and affordable.
It has been written that in the case of the A810 TC machines, the time code head can be replaced with a1/4 track head . The TC head comes after the capstan in the tape path but apparently it is OK in that machine. Other concerns would be the mounting arrangement as the TC head sits on its own pillar not adjustable for Azimuth and space there is at a premium.Personally I would be scared of adding a switch in the head output path of the A810 but it has been done for outboard repro amps so it must be doable.
Listening to some commercial 1/4 track releases on an A80 can be an eye opener. On many tapes the quality that appears poor on say my Revox machines can change to phenomenal on the Studer. Hiss does remain a problem though(more so in the more precise Studers) so I now tend to steer away from classical music tapes.
The Studer A80R/RC is very popular. I have one modified to carry both heads. The problem with the R/RC is that changing equalization is done by swapping a card on the repro amp. If you wish to replay say Tape Project tapes you need an IEC card. If you witch to the other head to replay 7.5 ips 1/4 track tapes you would have to change these(delicate ) cards to do so. I personally overcame this by allocating each card its own set of replay electronics. This avoids a switch at low levels.I have not explored this but it is probably possible to build an eq card that does 15ips IEC and 7.5 ips NAB.The A 80 VU has a switch on the front panel that allows switching between NAB/IEC.
Twin sets of electronics behind the Eros repro amp

The other option I have is to do the same with the heads but use an external repro amp. I have an A67 with both heads wired out to a Bottlehead Eros that switches between NAB /IEC.
Twin outputs avoiding low level switching

For heads: Greg Orton builds a simply stunning Flux Magnetics Extended Response 1/4 track head that is a drop in for the A80R/RC.My A67 is fitted with Nortronics Pro heads from John French. These are very,very good sounding and affordable.
It has been written that in the case of the A810 TC machines, the time code head can be replaced with a1/4 track head . The TC head comes after the capstan in the tape path but apparently it is OK in that machine. Other concerns would be the mounting arrangement as the TC head sits on its own pillar not adjustable for Azimuth and space there is at a premium.Personally I would be scared of adding a switch in the head output path of the A810 but it has been done for outboard repro amps so it must be doable.
Listening to some commercial 1/4 track releases on an A80 can be an eye opener. On many tapes the quality that appears poor on say my Revox machines can change to phenomenal on the Studer. Hiss does remain a problem though(more so in the more precise Studers) so I now tend to steer away from classical music tapes.