Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Technics RS-1500 with flourescent VUs

« on: January 27, 2014, 05:40:55 AM »

Hello
I am thinking about replacing the VUs on my experimental project RS 1500 ( modified audio boards, recapped, 0,75mm heads, Studer bias coils etc. etc.) with a flourescent display like the RS-777.
Does anyone has experience in doing this ? Which cassette deck is best to take off the display unit ?
Greetings from Switzerland.
Cheers
Jens

2

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Technics RS 1520

« on: July 24, 2013, 12:05:58 PM »

Hello
finally I am a proud owner of a 1520, pretty rare in here in europe.
It was a sold as it is machine. optically o.k. Audio units are fully working.
It has the following problems: After powering on everything is o.k.. Pressing play, the right take up motor doesn't spin.
pressing rewind the machine starts to rewind, but doesn't accept any commands, until powering off.
Any idea ? I have another two 1500s and a 1700 which I both refurbished. If absolutely necessary, I can take one 1500 for parts.
Greetings from Switzerland
Jens

3

Tape Project Machines / Re: Studer A810

« on: February 13, 2013, 06:21:51 PM »

Hello
just to mention...
You always have to align the A-810 with external equipment and calibration tape.
The internal alignment is only for using different tape brands on the machine
The A-810 doesn't have an internal level reference so you have to calibrate the reference levels first. Bias and Eq are done by the machine itself.
The exact alignment procedure is described in the Service Manual.
It is better to use the black pinch rollers, they don't melt and they are easy to get in fact they are the same as used in Revox B-77, Studer B-67 etc.
Cheers
Jens

4

Tape Project Machines / Re: Technics RS 1500 Speed Problem

« on: February 13, 2013, 06:07:36 PM »

Hello,
first of all I'd like to thank you for your advice.
Finally I fixed the problem. The problem was somewhere in the ICs.
I changed the whole board with a replacement part. I works fine again.
I started to recap the whole machine then. In fact the overall audio quality, especially the s-n ratio increased. I measured 74db !!! ( Aligned to SM 900 with 15ips ) it really now sounds close to my Studer B-67 and the ASC 6002.
Love the Technics. Looking forward to get a 1520 and a 10A2 ( nearly impossible to find here in Europe ).
Kind regards,
Cheers
Jens

5

Tape Project Machines / Technics RS 1500 Speed Problem

« on: January 16, 2013, 08:14:09 PM »

Hello
I have the following problem with a RS 1500:
After switching on the machine, it needs about 8-12 minutes to accelerate to the right playback speed. It always starts about 10% below the exact speed. There is no difference, if the variable speed is switched on or off, the pitch range remains the same; too slow.
I cleaned the switches and contacts, followed the alignment procedure, reseated the capstan control board, checked the connectors.
The tape path is clean and the reel tensions are fine too. After switching the machine off and on, the same procedure happens again. I checked all the diodes and changed all electrolyte capacitors on the capstan control board, nothing changed...
I have another excellent working 1500 and a 1700. Before I'll try out to change some parts of these working machines into the 1500 to locate the error, I'll be glad, if someone has an advice or experienced the same problem.
Greetings from Studer-Nation, Switzerland
Jens

Studer A-80 RC MK IV, Studer B-67 MK II, Revox C-270, Technics RS-1500/RS-1700, ASC-6000T/6002, Tandberg TD-20A-SE, TEAC X-2000M, Braun TG-1000, Uher SG 561 logic.