Im trying now low friction SKF E2 C3. Installed all bearings in my Studer C37. Its really quiet.
STUDER A80 Bearings and where to buy them - HELP!
- Thread starter Tannoyista
- Start date
If you have a normal standard clearance SKF bearing that makes noise its either a broken one or a fake ali express copy .
New skf bearings in the sizes and uses you are talking about dont make noise .
New skf bearings in the sizes and uses you are talking about dont make noise .
Ok folks, since you are talking about bearings for the A 80 and I just acquired one these days, which of the 30+ bearings are really imperative to change? The most necessary? Thank you!
Congratulations on your acquisition. There is no easy answer to your question. The A80 is a complex precision machine, and unless you are able to diagnose it you have to change at less all the bearings that can move while playing - this means most of them! Be very careful - it extremely easy to damage the machine removing and inserting the bearings if we do not have the proper tools.
When I got my first A80 and started reading about them I got excellent starting advice from experts in the Tapeproject foum - see https://forum.tapeproject.com/index.php?topic=1615.0 and many other posts in that forum. You can also google "scrape flutter" and look for articles on it - IMHO it is what separates the great machines from others. Fred Thal contributions in this forums were also great - for example see https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/what-is-scrape-flutter.23810/
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Thank you! As a matter of fact: this is my second one. I sold the original to a recording studio in New York because it was 1/2" tape and I didn't use it for Mastering anymore. This one is 1/4" tape and very nice. The other one was in pristine condition and we didn't have the need to change even a resistor in 5 years. That's why I don't have specific repairs experience with this A 80 model. I really appreciate your information. Right now I'm exchanging emails with Ki Choi. Best regards!
Mine was in pretty good shape but I wanted to have it back to its original specs or even better. This is just a portion of all the parts that got replaced. All carbon resistors have been changed by metal film resistors as with age their values have drifted. Most parts were sourced from Audio House including the bearings.
This is not a SKF bearing , i dont know the point you are trying to make .
Are you going for the best or the cheapest bearing .
Just put in a SKF bearing with the same spec as the original studer and be done with it .
Bearing manufacturing / precision and QC has come a long way since the studer era
Audio House? It must has cost a fortune! Yes, I'll have the cards restored and the PS caps changed. At least all caps gone and replaced with new ones. I'm even considering the Sepea option and that way I can switch eq and speed with just a flip of a button and jumpers. I don't use 30ips anymore, so I might change it to 7.5/15 ips. I'm already studying all possibilities. Thank you!Mine was in pretty good shape but I wanted to have it back to its original specs or even better. This is just a portion of all the parts that got replaced. All carbon resistors have been changed by metal film resistors as with age their values have drifted. Most parts were sourced from Audio House including the bearings.
A fortune indeed. I also asked my tech to bring some specific mods with custom made cards And a much better circuit for the VU meter bridge. My tech has spent 500 hours over the last 4 years. Sometimes, I believe that I should have bought a machine from Fred Thal.
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Yes, the bearings have a higher clearance but are pre-tensioned by spring washers when they are installed in the C37.That's why I find gringe friction more effective.
Spent a lot of time looking for bearing replacements for the Stellavox SP's - which look very similar to the units pictured. There are a dozen or so in the unit and there will always be one or more noisy in a one in for servicing. An engineer friend recommended BOCA Bearings in Florida. Got a few different kinds from them. Built up a little test rig where I can check out the runout and LISTEN for noise - with the assembly held right up to my ear. End up rejecting about 50% of the "standard bearings" that come in a 4-pack. The much pricier ceramic bearings turned out to be all too noisy.
Charles
Charles
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