Revox PR 99 matchbox XLR to RCA

[rjones5296]

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

[ironbut]

Looks like you've got it bad Bob (other members here have gone from none to a room full too). I'm not too familiar with the PR 99 so I was wondering if the outputs and inputs are +4dB and if so, can they be switched to -10dB (consumer level). If so, you're better off making a couple of pairs of adapter cables (or finding a pair on the used market). If it isn't as easy as flipping a switch, you have a couple of choices. You can get adapter cables with inline transformers or get an interface box like an Aphex 124A. Those can be had on eBay for pretty cheap (I wouldn't pay more than $75 but if you're patient, you can get one for under $50). It's an active box that was designed for using consumer gear (-10dB) in a pro studio environment (+4dB). It has an input in either level and an output in either level so you'd need a pair of XLR's to go from the 99 into the Aphex. And a pair of RCA's to go from the Aphex into your preamp. You can also go the other way around and go from -10 to +4dB. Here's one that's going for a hundred.
http://cgi.ebay.com/APHEX-124A-10-4-AUDIO-INTERFACE_W0QQitemZ130241341817QQihZ003QQcategoryZ23792QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's not that bad of a price since they cost over $200 new,.. it's just that the woods seem to be full of them and unless someone threw it at a wall, they seem to be pretty bullet proof. I almost picked up another one last week and it sold for $30.
If you're in a hurry to check that puppy out, you should be able to get an adapter cable at your local Guitar Center. If they have the Mogami cables, they're worth the extra $$$ IMHO. The Hosa stuff will do in a pinch (or if you plan on replacing soon). It's all insanely cheap compared to audiophile stuff though.

[rjones5296]

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

[rjones5296]

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

[Studer Fool]

I've posted this before, sorry but I really think this is the best way to go:

Everbody knows about Jensen transformers, right? 
In particular for anyone like myself with a professional tape machine provided with only XLR balanced +4dbu outputs but who has only standard RCA (consumer) inputs in their HiFi system, you need the Jensen model PC2XR.  It's about $210 plus shipping direct from Jensen. 
See: www.jensentransformers.com/pc2xr.html
While not chump change, Jensen Transformers REALLY makes some of the very finest transformers in the industry.  Some will argue the very best, all I can say is they are very, very good and used extensively in the pro Audio industry as well as in high-end HiFi equipment (Jeff Rowland comes to mind).  If you're used to silly Hi-end prices they are a bargin.  What the PC2XR does for you is to step the level down; convert from balanced line to unbalanced; and provide you with XLR inputs and RCA (gold) outputs; all in a nice case which should be placed as close as possible to your preamp/input device.  Then you just add the appropriate cables - I used US Recording for a quick score of 25" XLR cables, but there are many sources.
The Jensen site also has some very good white papers and info on ubderstanding balance lines and inputs etc. check it out.

[rjones5296]

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

[rjones5296]

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

[ironbut]

Hey Bob, for Mogami 2534 microphone cable (copper/4 conductor) Michael Percy has it for $1.15 a foot. The Canare Star Quad is also good but more $$$ and you'd need to weave it youself. XLR's can cost crazy money but bear in mind, one of the things that make the better ones better is durability. They need to be able to withstand extreme punishment in live sound environments where they're stepped on, tripped over, run over, weather extremes,.. you get the idea. Michael Percy is tough to talk to but responds to emails pretty fast and ships super fast.
http://www.percyaudio.com/
BTW, I'm sure there are better sounding solutions than the Aphex box ( the better transformers or active boxes), it's just that the 124's are crazy cheap and it's a handy thing to have around even it it gets replaced by a better sounding product.

[ceved]

Thanks for reviving this Jensenesque thread.
This may be the solution/option to my Aria concerns as well, even though it means another connection in the signal line.
I will let you know what Mike S. says at ATR Services.

[rjones5296]

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

[High and Outside]

I think your best bet is going to be coming out of the monitor out. Why go through the extra circuitry in the Revox that brings the signal up to +4, then go through more extra circuitry to bring it back down to -10? The extra booster stage in the Revox has the reputation of sounding pretty crappy--see Arian Jansen's post here on the forum about modifying the PR99 for his opinion. I have a couple of the Aphex interfaces and they're nothing special soundwise. I'll occasionally use one to solve a problem, but I wouldn't put one in the chain if I didn't have to. Nor would I add a Jensen transformer if I could avoid it.

As far as XLR connectors, I'm a confirmed fan of the Switchcraft A3F/A3M's. They run around 3 bucks each from Markertek or many other sources.  You should find many sources for Mogami cable, I recommend 2549. It sounds better to me than their star-quad cable, or the Canare for that matter. Star-quad only makes sense in very rare situations with extreme EMI (not RFI) situations. For every other situation, the single twisted pair sounds better to my ears. If I were making a DIN-to-RCA adaptor for my PR99, which I may be doing soon, I'd use 2549.

Just my $.06 (after inflation.)

[rjones5296]

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

[ironbut]

Hey Paul, thanks for the info. I need to make a few cables myself (I've been lazy and bought some Mogami's from Guitar Showcase that have Neutriks and 2534) . That's a great point  about the extra circuitry. I'm always happy to be corrected by someone that really knows this stuff.

[Scott D. Smith]

I would not use the monitor out from the PR-99, as it goes through additional circuitry.

An easy approach, at least for the deck output, is to use a simple "T" pad, balanced to unbalanced. This will work fine of you have a short run from your deck to the preamp. On the other hand, if you want to maintain a "pure" approach, going with the Jensen transformer or a high quality active balanced in to unbalanced out converter would be the way to go.

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

[High and Outside]

I would not use the monitor out from the PR-99, as it goes through additional circuitry.

Scott,
I think you have this backwards. Reading the schematic it is clear that the monitor output takes the signal at an earlier stage, and the main output has a couple of extra gain stages.

Or maybe we're just using different terminology. Revox uses the term "monitor output" for the signal that is available at the DIN connector, and calls the main output the one that appears at the XLR connectors. That's the terminology I'm using. And viewed that way, the "monitor" output definitely goes through less circuitry.