Hi-End Hifi Upgrades for the Revox B77 / PR99 Reel to Reel Decks

The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society site hosts an interesting paper describing a step by step procedure for upgrading the B77 and PR99 Revox models for higher playback quality. The document is a work by Arian Jansen of Sonorus Audio. We talked about Sonorus Audio’s
ATR10 tube reel to reel deck here.

The modified machine becomes a playback-only device, addressing hi-end hifi listening, however it is possible to preserve recording functionality by applying only part of the modifications.

The guide contains DIY instruction to perform:

1. doubling operating speed up to 15 IPS, for lower speed models (US residents only, due to 60Hz power-supply requirement)
2. conversion from NAB to IEC EQ
3. upgrading the output capacitors to higher specs components
4. removing from signal path the components (a couple of transistors) required for auto-muting, used to suppress audio output during ff/rew operations.

Visit the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society site here and the document in pdf format here.

 

The Band “The Shins” Publishes New Album on Tape

The Shins - Port of Morrow - 7'' Tape

The band The Shins is releasing the new album Port of Morrow on a variety of media, including reel to reel tape, vinyl, cd and mp3.

The RTR release is on 1/4” tape recorded at 7.5 IPS. Package contains a 7” reel. Limited edition, numbered box.

Vinyl is 12”, 180 gram.

Studer on video at Neil Young’s homepage

Neil Young’s homepage today (January 28th 2011) showed this beautiful Studer in a mysterious video capturing a couple of jam sessions. The event is possibly related to the release of a new album. No further info available at the moment. Here is a pic of the reel to reel.

 

Studer

 

Visit Neil Young site here.

 

 

Even more reel to reel decks: J-corder !

After Revox-based Sonorus ATR10 (discussed here) and TASCAM-based UHA-HQ series (here) let’s now give a look at the J-corder brand by Jeff Jacobs.  Most readers will immediately recognize the unmistakable headblock plate in the picture below: J-corder specializes in customizing and upgrading the RS-1500/1506/1520 Technics series.

J-corder reel to reel decks

These models are ideal listening devices for analog mastering studios or hi-end home hifi. The recording section is not removed, like with UHA-HQ models (and unlike Sonorus ATR10, which is a REPRO machine).

Cosmetic rework is simply beautiful: materials used for finish range from wood to carbon fibre, to kevlar.

Rather than focusing on upgrading the electronics, as other companies do, J-corder specializes in several customization options on the headblock, in collaboration with John French from  JRF Magnetics (we talked about JRF Magnetics here).

The headblock upgrade options:

•  Three Head Option: eliminate the 2/4 head switch and have the machine converted to a fixed two-track or four-track configuration for best performance in specific applications.
• Four Head with external Playback Option: an additional playback head with its own separate wiring for direct  stereo output. Maximum minimalism on the signal path here: ideal for external tube preamps.
• Autoreverse modification for RS-1700: transform the recording/erase autoreverse heads into a unidirectional 2-track recording section, for increasing recording quality. Playback is still autoreverse.

Special machined headblock plates in Aluminum or Brass are available for the options above. Here is a nice picture of one of these new parts for the RS-15xx Isolated Loop dual roller transport. Note that the slot for the 2T/4T original switch is not present (see options above).

J-corder aluminium headblock plate

J-corder offers also a rebuilding service for your own machine:

1. Completely disassemble the machine
2. Replace brakes and springs
3. Replace bearings if needed
4. Hardwire in the heavy-duty power cord
5. Resurface and laser align all heads
6. Clean and lube all switches, pots and controls
7. Treat all connecting posts with “Deoxit” rejuvenator and protector for better electrical connections
8. Reassemble and recalibrate the machine with ATR tape

Visit J-corder web site here.

New Albums Released on Tape: Yarlung Records Catalog

GRAMMY® Award winning Yarlung Records propose a catalog of classical music albums recorded with audiophile techniques and released on several media including  analog tape and 180gr vinyl.

Analog Tape at Yarlung Records

Yarlung Records follow a minimalist approach when capturing music performances: from tube mics (AKG C-24, Neumann U47..) through custom tube preamps, then straight to a two-track recorder (both analog and digital machines for tape, lp and cd releases).

Tapes releases are 1/4” format, half-track and are individually duplicated from masters for each client.

Current list of albums on tapes includes:

• Janaki String Trio – Debut
• Elinor Frey & David Fung – Dialogues for ‘cello and piano
• The Art of the Violin – Petteri Iivonen
• Antonio Lysy at The Broad – Music from Argentina

Visit Yarlung Records at their site here.

More reel to reel decks: United Home Audio !

I’ve recently talked about the ATR10 in this page. This time it’s turn of United Home Audio HQ series.

UHA-HQ decks

UHA-HQ decks are based on recent TASCAM reel to reel units, with modified electronics, heads, power transformers and parts, depending on model. They are compatibile with prerecorded tapes included in the Tape Project catalog, discussed here.

We’re talking about machines intended to perform at their best for esoteric hifi listening. However it’s interesting to note that they can record as well, unlike the more common REPRO units often used as hi-end playback devices.

Here is a summary of UHA-HQ models (and for each one, a note describing the main improvement over the previous one).

•  Phase 5 – new playback preamp
•  Phase 6 – new UHA-HQ playback head
•  Phase 7 – new UHA-HQ recording head
•  Phase 8 – audiophile toroidal power supply – new playback and recording preamps
•  Phase 9 – new esoterics caps on play and rec boards, nearly DC-coupled signal path

(complete details about differences are available at UHA site).

Features (some depend on model):

•  Tape: 1/4”
•  Reels: up to 10 1/2”
•  Heads: half-track, capable of record and playback
•  Speeds: 7 1/2 and 15 IPS – 19 cm/s and 38 cm/s
•  EQ: NAB and IEC
•  Servo-controlled tape tension
•  Sealed bearings on the idlers
•  XLR and/or RCA inputs and outputs – selectable RCA output of +6db or +12db

Visit the UHA-HQ series page at UHA site.

Data-sheets for RGMi 900,911,468,LPR35 Tapes.

RMGi

The RMGi US site hosts an interesting set of data-sheets covering all their tape products. Please note that starting 01/01/2012 RMGi has transferred tape manufacturing and marketing to Pyral (France).

Here are the documents in pdf format:

• SM 900 (high output)
• SM 911 (standard bias)
• 468 (high bias)
• LPR35 (long play)

Sonorus Audio ATR10 Vacuum Tube Reel to Reel

Sonorus Audio produces the ATR 10, a reel to reel deck based on the chassis from the Revox PR99 . The ATR10 is a 1/4” REPRO machine (playback only, no recording) for hi-end music listening.

Sonorus Audio ATR10 Vacuum Tube Reel to Reel

Electronically regulated tape tension,  dual EQ (NAB and IEC), wire remote controlling and Library Wind (FF controlled speed to prepare tape for storage) are all new functionalities.

Sonorus builds the tape transport with original mechanical components from Revox/Studer. Internal electronics have been redesigned to use parts currently in production. The playback board is completely new, featuring a vacuum tube preamp section.

Frequency response:

• 15ips: 18Hz – 23kHz (+2/-3dB)
• 7.5ips: 14Hz – 20kHz (+2/-3dB)

Signal-to-noise ratios: RMS, ASA-A weighted,  +6dBVU (510nWb/m)

• NAB (7.5ips): 73dB
• NAB (15ips): 71dB
• IEC (7.5ips): 71dB
• IEC (15ips): 73dB

Distortion: THD measured at 1kHz

• 15ips, 0dBVU: <0.15%
• 15ips, +6dBVU: <0.5%
• 15ips, +13dBVU: <3%

Tape tension: Electronically regulated. Tested with 10.5” (26.5cm) reels.

• Supply reel side: 0.45N +/-0.05N
• Take-up reel side: 0.60N +/-0.05N

Visit Sonorus Audio site here, or direct-download the brochure and the user manual.

TapeProject: Classic Albums Released on Tape, Dubs from Original Masters

Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby

TapeProject offers a catalog of classic albums they release on SM468 1/4 half-track tapes from original masters.
These tracks are among the highest resolution analog sources ever available for hi-end home listening.

As licenses that TapeProject acquires for duplicating masters are time-limited, the contents of their catalog varies over time. TapeProjects tapes are available through a subscription scheme. An hi-end tape deck is required for playback, the website lists their recommended Ampex, Otari, Technics and Revox/Studer models.

Visit TapeProject catalog of high resolution tapes here.

Book: Peter Copeland – Manual of Analogue Audio Restoration Techniques

A strongly recommended technical reading, the book Manual of Analogue Restoration Techniques by Peter Copeland is provided by the British Library as a freely downloadable resource.

Recorders at the British Library

Peter Copeland, after a career at the BBC as a sound engineer since 1961, worked as Conservation Manager at the British Library Sound Archive from 1986 until his retirement in 2002. Peter died in 2006 after a lifetime dedicated to understanding the history and complexity of analogue audio technology.

The British Library makes the book available as a downloadable pdf on their site on this page.

Direct download, at British Library site, here.