However, after my TEAC A6600 experience, I decided to explore other options. My research led me to the German/Swiss made RTRs.The most difficult part was finding this roughly 50 year old product in excellent condition. I got lucky.
This blog is about the Revox A77 MKII which I purchased from Kyle of turntableanddeckinc on EBAY. In addition, this company was located in Illinois relatively close to Chicago where I reside. I arranged an audition with Kyle who told me I would be pleasantly surprised with the Studer sound in comparison to my TEAC experience.
The difference is night and day. The sound presentation from this machine is ineffable. Once you go here, you can never go back. In the January 1969 edition of the North American specialist magazine "Stereo Review", the authors from the Hirsch-Houck Laboratories called the servo-controlled drive system "unique and effective", and described the frequency response as "phenomenal" and came to the telling conclusion: "We have never seen a recorder that could match the performance of the Revox A77 in all respects, and very few that even come close".
In 1978, the Japanese specialist magazine "Audio Specialist", awarded the Revox A77 1st prize as the best "non-Japanese reel-to-reel tape machine". Things happen for a reason!
REVOX A77
Professional Tape Recorders
The well-known reliability of the Revox A77 is a result of a professional design concept, a concept which successfully combines the advantages of a solidly constructed tape transport mechanism with the advantages of an advanced electronic circuit design. A 3-motor transport mechanism with electronically regulated capstan motor and solenoid operated servo-brakes possesses few parts which are subject to mechanical wear. The use of a diecast motor chassis and head support ensures that a high degree of mechanical precision and long term stability are maintained, even under excessively heavy use. The mechanical and electronic properties thus complement each other in a most successful way.
Rugged 3-Motor Tape Drive
with its 3 motors on a solid die-cast chassis, the A77 possesses the basic design features of a professional tape recorder. Due to the direct drive principle, there are no friction wheels, clutches or belts needed. This makes for a mechanically simple drive system with only a few movable parts. Thus, wear is reduced to a minimum, a point of vital importance for the long life of a tape recorder
By using this 3-motor principle, each function has been optimized. The spooling motors are designed to cope with normal tape tension and high speed winding, which can be made very fast even with 10.5 inch reels, while the capstan motor is solely responsible for the linear forward motion of the magnetic tape.
Electronically Regulated Capstan Motor
Uniform motor speed - and with it even tape motion - does not rely on utilizing the power line frequency, but is controlled instead by an internal electronic regulating system. Tape speed is thus stable and to a high degree independent of any variation in power line voltage or frequency. Therefore, the A77 may also be used by driving it from batteries (via an inverter with sine wave output) and nothing whatsoever has to be changed when moving from a 50 Hz to a 60 Hz electric supply area or vice versa. The change of tape speed is also achieved electronically, free of any mechanically wearing parts, and free of any influence on the characteristics of the tape drive mechanism.
Electronic Control of Tape Drive Functions
All functions of the tape drive mechanism are controlled by a simple relay logic. This makes possible soft "finger touch" switching, as well as remote control of all operating modes. Solenoid activated servo-brakes ensure safe and positive stopping of the tape even from the highest winding speed.
Modular Amplifier Circuitry
The audio electronics of the A77 offer the following typical characteristics: extremely low distortion; high signal to noise ratio; linear response and exact equalization characteristics. All amplifier boards plug in for easy servicing. Only the combination of these properties makes for a recorder of outstanding quality.
Two input channels may be switched separately to work from either low or high impedance microphones or from other sound sources as well. Two microphones may be connected directly to the front panel or to the socket strip on the rear. Separate input controls for each channel permit the mixing of two monophonic signals, or the exact balancing of stereophonic recordings and two precisely calibrated ASA VU-meters ensure accurate modulation of the recording tape.
REVODUR Sound Heads
The REVODUR sound heads have improved magnetic characteristics and a much higher life expectancy. Consistent quality is thus assured since STUDER REVOX designed and built their own magnetic heads.