Re: Transfer from/Replace R2R

Carey Carlan <gulfjoe@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

ISTR that there were A77's and B77's. How are they different?

The B77 is a much newer machine. You're more apt to find one in good shape,
but they have some interesting failure problems. Record quality on the B77
is better than on the A77. Both machines have a lot of surface area in
contact with the head so they will tolerate squealy tape poorly. There is
also the PR99 which is the professional version of the B77. It has balanced
I/O and an elapsed time indicator, and almost all of them are beat to hell
by radio production guys. There are play-only versions of all of these
machines which sell for less.

Are there any Ampexes (Ampices?) smaller than a washing machine?

Only the consumer machines, which aren't so good. On the other hand, you
can probably find a 440 with play-only electronics for cheap, and get a
quarter-track headstack for it on the side. The 440 playback electronics
aren't as good as the A77 playback electronics to my ear, but the record
quality is a whole lot better.

Likewise, the Technics iso-loop machines have amazing transports with
very low flutter, quarter and half track heads, but sort of doubtful
electronics. There are folks out there who make a business of adding
retrofit electronics (often Ampex) to Technics consumer transports,'
though.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
.

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