Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Is this the cats meyow ...Studer ReVox PR-99 Mk III ?

« on: August 18, 2008, 11:43:57 AM »

Hello
My experience with my PR99 has been great, I was lucky enough to get mine for $400 new in the box.
It had been stored for a while, and I havent found a single problem with the machine. It is working perfectly.
The PR99 I have is a MKll high speed half track.
The price seems a bit high, I think $800 is more reasonable if the machine is in good condition, well maintained with good heads but thats just my opinion.
Parts for Revox are expensive, so if it needs work it aint gonna be cheep.
JM Tech has always had or been able to get any part I have ever needed for my A77,B710, and G36 recorders.
The A77 15 ips is pretty rare, the capstan motor mount points are different on the 15ips deck, so you cant just change the capstan shaft on a standard deck.
Anybody correct me if im wrong on that, I have seen different motors on an A77.
My understanding is the 15ips motor is offset a few mm to keep the tape path gemoetry, because of the thicker capstan shaft.

bob

2

Tape Tech / Re: Dolby B decoder from Barclay Crocker

« on: August 13, 2008, 08:58:31 PM »

I remember the Integrex, came out in the later 70's if I remember correctly, I wanted one for my Viking Compact 88.
I just happened to be dumpster diving one day and snatched a Teac AN180, then a couple weeks later found another Teac AN 180.
I was lucky enough to get replacement op amp chips (noisey) and after that it works like a champ.
It will encode and decode, sounded pretty good playing back pre recorded tapes on my Revox A77.
If anyone is looking for an outboard Dolby unit I would suggest the Teac.

bob

3

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: August 13, 2008, 08:33:58 PM »

Guys
Got a bud, that has offered a set of Peerless transformers for matching my PR99 to my pre.
I mentioned what I was working on, he offered up the transformers, neutrik connectors and as much monster m 850 cable I need.
So Im gonna give this a shot, so far though just directly connecting the inputs and outputs pf the PR99 to my preamp my levels are good all the way around.
Damn the PR99 is a sweet deck.
bob

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: StellaVox video

« on: August 12, 2008, 09:41:11 PM »

Wow Great interview, oh man to own a StellaVox.
bob

5

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: I think the Tape Project word is getting around

« on: August 02, 2008, 09:29:06 AM »

Rich
Thanks for the shout back, you know I noticed, I played a tape back on the Technics RS1700 that was recorded on the G36, I thought when I played it back that the resopnse went on forever, that told me that the G36 is one hell of a recorder, now I know what I was hearing, was not my imiganation.
Playback on the G36 is very nice, but that tape really shows off the Technics deck.
The article "Greening of the Revox G36" planted the seed that I one of these days had to have a G36.
I have kept mine as original, Jack told me the same thing about the capstan shaft, there are no more.
WOW Charlie King is a member of the forum.
I have a third G36, that needs a little work, the back panel was modded by someone, adding new jacks.
My plan is to change it back to the original configuration and make it a hs 1/2 track, I have all the parts, I'm just looking for a US spec back panel (without the voltage selector) thanks for the note, Im off to the local surplus to pick up the XLR & DIN connectors for my PR99.

bob

6

Tape Tech / Re: Studer C37 restoration

« on: August 01, 2008, 09:26:03 AM »

Steve
Yes I have seen that article, good stuff.
Wasn't that in the first issue of Glass Audio? Im sorry that Glass audio was absorbed into the Audio Amateur fold, I waited for each issue like a rabid dog.
I re read that article, just for the heck of it, it inspired me to start looking for a G36, it just took a long time to find a good examle.
Im up to 3 now...........

This is a cool story about a G36 that I have.......
Some time back I bought a G36, that has less that 10 hours on it i'm guessing.
The G36 was found in a closet after the father passed away, He had bought it new and used it for the ocassonal family slide show, ( I have the hand held cable remote also).
The daughter told she remembered the Revox but hadnt seen it in many years, untill they found it boxed up and buried in a closet.
I have the original box, all the tags are still on the machine.
The only thing I had to do was wipe it off, it looks and works like new.
As a precaution I did a service, cleaning and relubing the motors, cleaned the brakes,cleaned and lubed the counter, cleaned tube pins ect.... I can hardly hear it run with my ear a foot away.


bob

7

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / I think the Tape Project word is getting around

« on: August 01, 2008, 08:29:37 AM »

Guys
During a casual conversation with Jack at JM Tech, I had called about info and spares for my PR99 that I just got, and to ask a couple questions about my G36 recorders.
Im telling Jack that I get quite a few offers to buy my G36, I just refer them to JM Tech.
He mentioned he has had calls looking for 15ips 1/2 track decks for Tape Project tapes.
So It looks like the word is getting around.
I had recently bought a G36 junker, that just happened to be a 1/2 track 15 ips machine, luckily the heads show almost no wear and the 15ips capstan shaft shows no wear.
I am converting one of my G36's to half track 15ips.

bob

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Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: August 01, 2008, 08:14:55 AM »

Thanks, I was wondering about using the monitior out to drive my preamp, this sounds like a good idea.
I have about 50' of Monster M1000 interconnect I think it's M1000. This cable is a twisted pair with a sheild and earth lead. Friends and I bought a spool of Monster speaker wire, Yes the garden hose stuff at a surplus sale.
The speaker cable was the same stuff AA was selling for some crazy price like $1k for a 15' pair. I think the spool was $200 at the time. along with it came 2 or 3 hundred feet of this interconnect, We are all using this for interconnects.
Im thinking this might be fine for the runs to the preamp, about 5 feet.
I read that article, then looked at the block diagram for the PR99 it does seem like the best idea to just go monitor out. Im running a tube preamp so the input impedance is 50k I think.

bob

9

Tape Tech / Re: Studer C37 restoration

« on: July 31, 2008, 09:21:35 PM »

WOW your work is fantastic! you give me hope, I have a Revox G36 I need to restore. Your work is truly beautiful.
bob

10

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: July 31, 2008, 08:41:22 PM »

Jensen Transformers, I dont know alot about them, but I have heard mike pres that my bud Chris Ivan builds and there is no doubt that the Jensens are top dogs.
I am looking at the Aphex Steve recommended, you just cant beat it for the $$. It does exactly what I need.
Also looking at the  Jensen model PC2XR.  It's about $210 plus shipping direct from Jensen. See: www.jensentransformers.com/pc2xr.html (from Christopher) These are pretty sweet also, Id like to have 2 one for input, and a second for output, I plan on using the PR99 to record also.
Ill check out Michael Percey, I have bought from him before, he is a great guy.
Thanks guys for all the info.
bob

11

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / XLR connectors and Mogami cable

« on: July 31, 2008, 02:52:34 PM »

Hello
Anyone out there have a good source for XLR connectors and Mogami cable ?
And what type of Mogami cable  do you guys recommend to use for ballanced interconnects?
Looking at the prices for ready made cables, seems a good idea to just make up my own.
Save some cash for an Aphex124 or Jensen transformers for the PR99.

bob

12

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: July 31, 2008, 07:53:40 AM »

Hello
Thanks!
I'm also hearing, on the PR99 you can use the monitor output to drive consumer equipment, just make up a din to rca adapter cable.
I have another buddy that swears by Jensen transformers, he says the same thing, there are none better.
bob

13

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: July 30, 2008, 09:52:06 PM »

Guy, Im all ready there... got 17 reel to reel decks I think.

14

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: July 30, 2008, 09:46:22 PM »

Thanks for the tip, Ill keep an eye out for an Aphex. Im thinking get some Mogami cable and connectors, I can make up my own patch cables.
bob

15

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

« on: July 30, 2008, 01:38:00 PM »

Guys
Just got another score, a minty Revox PR 99 highspeed half track, no wear what so ever, this dude is like new.
Anyone out there with experience with XLR to RCA connections.
My Revox buddy recommends using a matchbox to get the impedances and levels correct to use with conxumer equipment.
I would like to go RCA to XLR for input and XLR to RCA for output
I know I can just make up adapter cables, and the monitor out from the PR 99 is sutable to drive a non balanced input.
Any comments ?
And yep, she looks great sitting next to the RS1700..... im in heaven.

bob