STUDER A810 Professional Recorder information

[useridchallenged]

I've completely transcribed and scanned an original 1983 STUDER A810 Professional Recorder brochure, and put it at:

http://www.theaudioarchive.com/TAA_Tape_Studer_A810.htm

The A810 is also known as a "compact" recorder.  It weighs at least 30% or less compared to its big brothers, the A820, A800 and A80 Master Recorders.  This only means that it weighs 68 lb instead of 200!  Its performance is pretty good, both on paper and in practice.  We have three A810 machines at The Audio Archive (http://www.TheAudioArchive.com), but they are in storage since we standardized on the STUDER A820 three years ago.  Nonetheless, I wouldn't turn up my nose at an A810 when compared to the myriad other machines to choose from.

I prefer the STUDER A810 to the A807, and naturally prefer the A820 to the A810.  Then there's the STUDER A80 Master Recorder, which still trumps the A810 (more on the A80 another day).

The A810 had to make a number of compromises in order to get all that functionality into such a small form factor.  The tape transport is not as state-of-the-art as the STUDER Master Recorders (the transport is what can really make the difference between tape machines), and the A810 generates a fair amount of heat for such a small package.  Electronically, it is a close cousin of the A820, and even shares a fair number of card modules with the A820.  The A810 is a truly worthy contender for Tape Project playback.  It may be a bit industrial looking, but don't let that fool you - what it lacks in pretty and cool, it makes up with raw performance.  STUDER A810s are still relatively plentiful - consider that 10x more A810 machines were made than A820 machines, which works out to perhaps 30,000 machines out there (and sadly in landfill).  The STUDER A810, like the A820, is plenty complex with its microprocessor-controlled servos and communication features.  Unless you're a really good tech and engineer, I'd steer clear of trying to fix one of these up on your own.  Consider that the A810 was found in many broadcast (radio and TV) studios, as well as film and audio recording studios.  The A810 is no sonic slouch, and is rugged, too.

If you want to compare, you can also see a brochure for the ultimate 1/4-inch STUDER, the STUDER A820 Master Recorder at:

http://www.theaudioarchive.com/TAA_Tape_Studer_A820.htm

More to come over time.  I hope to eventually put up original STUDER A80 and STUDER A800 brochures as well for Tape Project member enjoyment.

Eric

[ironbut]

Thanks Eric, excellent stuff there. I know there's a few 810 owners here ( and one 820 that a member just got back from Fred ) and while Studer seems to have a slightly different concept of what a "compact" machine is the shear number of them on the used market makes them a heck of a bargain. I'm a great believer in trying to achieve as perfect a tape motion as possible and an A80 has been on my wish list for a while. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can dig up on them.
On another note, how did the Standards discussion at AES go? I was there on Saturday with a exhibit pass only but it was great to hear that Mike Spitz's ATR Magnetics tape received an award (best new product I believe). Who would've thunk that there'd be 2 (RMGI was there too) competing reel to reel tape companies at the 2008 show?

[Ki Choi]

Hi Eric:

It is interesting to read your take on Studers.  With luck and patience, I have collected multiple Studers; A810s, A807, A80RC, and A820 as a hobbyst.  I would agree with your assessment that the A820 is the king of all Studers where A80 is a respectable elder statesman.  The A807s seem to be born of necessity of cutting costs and A810s can be a nice performer when everything works well which is a challenge.

If you could post a close up photo of head assembly and pertinent tape path of your A820s with SHR mod, I would appreciate it.

I am no expert but have managed to repair, adjust, and align A810s and A80s.  Fortunately, I didn't have to get into the A820.  It sang beatifully from the start.

Ki