What to do with a B77?

[Robert Young]

Hi Folks. I've got a Revox B77 (not a Mk 2), in very nice condition with the exception of the usual wear and scratches on the Nextel. It's a 3.75/7.5 ips machine. Heads are in very good shape. Bought it for next to nothing at Sereo Exchange in NYC back in the late '80s, and it has sat there next to my turntable since then, just basically looking cool...

I'm trying to determine if it is worth it to either have the machine modified for playing back Tape Project tapes, or whether I should just get it clean and sell it. If it is a reasonable choice to modify, I'd love to get recommendations as to who could do the work.

The Tape Heads forum guys have a lot of info, but they can be even more cranky with tape noobs than some of you...

Really, any advice is helpful.

 

[ack]

I's say, if you want to get into tape, don't sell it.

 

[Robert Young]

Thanks ack. I do want to get into tape, but I have concerns about the cost and efficacy of the modifications necessary, vs. just buying a better Studer. Curious to hear from anyone who has done the conversion to high speed...

Love the A90, by the way. It was a finalist for me a few years back. Ended up with an Allaerts (better with my Schroeder Reference). That was back when I had a few extra bucks lying around...

 

[Foxbat]

I would keep it, and buy a nice 2-track machine for TP tapes. But I would be careful with Studers, if your goal is best possible sound - I would stay away from the 8xx models. They are joy to use, but don't sound particularly good. Either get the A80RC, or a 2-track B77. Another great option would be the Pioneer RT-2022 - it is capable of superb sound.

 

[ack]

Thanks ack. I do want to get into tape, but I have concerns about the cost and efficacy of the modifications necessary, vs. just buying a better Studer. Curious to hear from anyone who has done the conversion to high speed...

Love the A90, by the way. It was a finalist for me a few years back. Ended up with an Allaerts (better with my Schroeder Reference). That was back when I had a few extra bucks lying around...

Well, if you can get a Studer then by all means call me and I'll double your offer. The mods to the Revox, which I have studied, are extensive and would be best done by a pro, along with cap and potentiometer replacement. It's a sizeable project. Thee A90 is just one of a kind.

 

[Robert Young]

I can't believe the prices I've been seeing for B77s on ebay and audiogon. Meaning very high. Cool machine, built like a tank, but there just aren't that many 7 1/2 ips tapes out there that aren't crusty like stale bread. One other option would be to use the B77 motor for the idler table idea I've been spending way too much free time thinking about...

If I do the mod, I would not be doing it myself! I've enjoyed building speakers and turntables, but once it gets into complicated circuitry, I'm done. I may be poor, but i'm not crazy!

 

[Tapetech]

I'm trying to determine if it is worth it to either have the machine modified for playing back Tape Project tapes, or whether I should just get it clean and sell it.

For "Tape Project tapes", your deck has the wrong speed, wrong track format and wrong EQ. So just sell it and buy a deck that is compatible (15ips, 2 track and IEC EQ). Even better is to get a deck just for the transport and then add an outboard play amp to it. Good choices for a 15ips/2track transport are: Revox B77HS, Technics RS-1500, Tascam BR20, Otari MX5050. Get the transport overhauled by a RTR specialist and have him add play head output jacks. Then connect your external play EQ amp to the head output jacks . Many companies sell external play amps and you can PM me for recommendations.

 

[ack]

but there just aren't that many 7 1/2 ips tapes out there

If I recall correctly, the speed can be easily changed with a capacitor, if you look at the tape project mods. Isn’t that what they say ? What’s much more involved is the EQ modifications and then you also would want to upgrade other parts especially in the output section.

So like others suggest, perhaps it’s best to use it as a transport only.

 

[Robert Young]

I should have mentionred: very little interest in recording. It will be for playback only.

i got a price a while back for the speed and iec conversion (+/- $500), and would buy a new head block. But it seems the consensus is to sell this one.

In the meantime, i’ll be over in the corner scouring the recesses of the dark audio web for a HS Revox (i just love the look, and the thunk! of the switches).

thanks for all the comments. It is much nicer to not get flamed for asking stoopud questions.

 

[Foxbat]

But it seems the consensus is to sell this one.

Definitely NOT my view. Unless you absolutely need that money, keep it... no matter how much you get for it today, you will regret it in just a few months. It shall remain one of those highly desirable models with crazy price escalation. Just a ago you could find a nice clean working HS B77 for $600-700 (I know... I got two...), today they go for more, than a double that.

 

[Robert Young]

I hear you, Foxbat...i regret selling just about everything i’ve ever sold, from my Nagra VPAs and PL-P, to my 1965 Griffith. But i live in NYC, and even more precious than cash is space...

 

[Foxbat]

Time to call that old uncle in the rural PA!

 

[SVS]

Robert Young, try equalizer (tape stage) from http://sound-design-atelier.com/preamplifier-5. Very good for any tape speed.

 

[Robert Young]

It's been a while since i last posted about the Revox...got sidetracked with a restoration of a Thorens TD 124, very early serial number...lots of pics in the thread about it in the general analogue section.


The deck is now out for a speed conversion to 7.5/15, and I found an NOS hi-speed face plate to go with it. I've decided to keep the eq NAB for time being, as I have a lot of pre-recorded tapes I really like, but have seen a plug-in board that has both IEC and NAB on it, from Audvance Audio, with a switch that can be mounted on the face. A bit expensive, but what the heck. Anyone have any experience with their offerings? Eventually I'll see if I can score a 2-track head block, with direct out, but that is way down the road. In the meantime, I can enjoy it as I take baby steps towards a hi-speed 2-track IEC machine.

 

[Robert Young]

An update: The Revox is back from the shop with everything that needed it replaced, including one of the VU meters. It has been converted to 7.5/15 ips, and has the proper face plate to match. Quarter-track heads have been replaced with 1/2-track, and along with the original head block, I also scored an additional NOS 1/2-track block for the future. It is currently at NAB equalization, but I'm looking to replace the NAB board with the combined IEC/NAB board from Audvance in The Netherlands, which is switchable from the faceplate. Next up after that will be the replacement of the ratty Nextel case with a nice wood-sided metal case, and some good footers. Perhaps I'll provide some direct from heads outputs for the future addition of a nice tape pre. But the decision has been made to keep this, even if once I'm done I'll only be able to afford the tapes it no longer plays....

 

[Robert Young]

Another update, and not a happy one....

When i posted the last update, about 11 months ago, the Revox was looking very pretty in its spot, ready to go. I wrote the update before turning it on. It fired up, but the reels made noises, and there was no sound coming from the Tape Project Bill Evans Waltz for Debby. Yep, had the tape in correctly, in case you are wondering. Not sure what made me look, but i was drawn to a corner of the case: there was a minute crack that wasn't there before. Then noticed the front plate (behind the reels) was bent. Off came the cover, and there it was, a very bent up frame that had clearly taken a tough shot right on the corner. looked like a few loose wires too (there's the missing output!). It's a heavy beast, so it would be no surprise that it was dropped in transit by FedEx. Guess those "FRAGILE" and "HEAVY" stickers that Jack Clark at JM Technical Arts put all over the box didn't mean much to Fed Ex. The box it came back in was doubled, and solid, with excellent packing, so it really had to take a big fall. And wouldn't you know it, I was too busy when it arrived to open it up and check for any damage, so i was well outside of FedEx's time limit for filing a claim. There's a lesson there. I'd better learn it.

The B77 is now packed back up in a military electronics shipping case (ebay $60. A deal) with an NOS frame I found in Switzerland, and will shortly go back to Jack for a do-over. In the meantime I've scored a few more Tape Project tapes as they've become available. Hope I eventually get to hear one of them.

 

[adrianywu]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I have been playing the 15 ips tapes with a Nagra TA, but I was recently given a few dozens of 4 track 7.5ips tapes by a friend. His relative passed away leaving him the tapes, which he is not interested in. Some very interesting classical titles, and I have decided to invest in a B77 for this purpose. Some of these 4 track tapes can sound excellent and most are inexpensive to acquire. If you think about it, in those days, these tapes cost 3 to 4 times that of the equivalent LPs, and audiophiles still bought them, which must mean something. Some of the LPs from that era are now fetching big bucks. Get a 4 track headblock and you can switch between the expensive 15ips tapes and these cheap 4 track tapes !

 

[Solypsa]

It's a heavy beast, so it would be no surprise that it was dropped in transit by FedEx.

This is a major problem, particularly in the USA. These 'drops' can come from being pushed out of trucks and off of conveyor belts as a 'punishment' for the parcel being heavy. I've had similar situations.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Thats sad with your b77 .
a little video of best sounding machine i ever had and function.if you find one buy this 800-1200€ in good condition.

 

[Foxbat]

Not in the same league as B77.