Revox B77 MkII High Speed - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

paolo · 29th Jan 2009, 1:46 pm

I've been a bit tardy in writing up this one, mainly because of the Christmas/New Year break and because its summer here and its been far too nice to slave over a hot keyboard

.

However, a couple of months ago, I picked up a rather nice Revox B77 MkII reel to reel tape recorder. Its the high speed version (7.5ips and 15ips), twin track model. This particular unit is one of the last ones to be made. It was purchased in late 1991 and the chassis is marked January 28, 1988. January 28 is rather spooky as that's my birthday. However, I digress.

The machine was essentially in exellent mechanical condition when I picked it up. It had been purchased by a local performing arts centre as part of the initial inventory but had never seen much use. In fact, it had spent the last 10 years in a cupboard collecting copious amounts of dust.

I got it home and did a thorough clean up. It was filthy. I then plugged it in to see what was what. Before anyone winces, the person I bought it from had already plugged it in to see if it worked, so I figured I could hardly make things worse

. Lo and behold, it all worked pretty much perfectly. One VU meter light was out, the counter belt was broken, the left record toggle switch had been snapped off and the right one was hanging on by a thread. Nevertheless, it started, stopped, recorded and played as one would expect.

All that was required was some general TLC to the case. I ordered some replacements from Germany. Instead of the complete switch, I simply bought some replacement switch shafts. They are made of metal rather than plastic. Replacement is a case of removing the switch, drilling out a brass rivet and replacing the toggle. A screw/nut assembly substitutes for the rivet. Hopefully they will last forever! For the belts and lamp, I ordered a service kit from Italy.

I replaced the counter belt and dismantled the entire machine to replace the toggles. I took the opportunity to clean the audio control PCB and make sure that all the connections on the audio daughter cards were sparkling.

After a stupid mistake with the wiring to the power switch, I managed to get it all back together and now its working 100%. I am extremely happy with it. I used to drool over Revox catalogues when I was younger but they were always beyond my reach. In fact, this might be my favourite toy

Even my wife makes approving noises! Although the 4 track version would be more economical with tape, the two track sound is hard to beat!

Its well worth perservering with these machines. Although parts are expensive, they really are built like tanks and quite easy to deal with. Thanks to everyone on the forum who helped out with guiding me on my journey!

Rather than duplicate the series of photos already posted in my B77 thread in the Vintage Tape section, I thought I'd post a video instead

Paul

batterymaker1 · 29th Jan 2009, 9:22 pm

That thing by itself looks expensive.

And the playback is smooooooooooooooooth at 7.5 alone....

Blew me away at 15.

Gorgeous machine.

paolo · 30th Jan 2009, 12:27 am

Thanks batterymaker

These machines were very expensive when new. Totally out of reach for me, certainly. These days, they can be picked up for reasonable money but the big problem is finding one that hasn't been thrashed and in need to new heads. The playback head alone costs US$400! There are also lots of other things than can wear out and go wrong too. However, for my money the Revox B77 and A77 take a lot of beating. The sound is very, very smooth. The video can't really do it justice though because although the audio is from the machine itself, the process of turning it into a reasonably sized video means that what you're hearing is basically a 192kbps mp3! Its MUCH punchier than this really.

Some people swear that Tandberg made better machines or that the Pioneer 909 is the best, but I'll just have to take their word on that,

Unless I find one in reasonable condition, that is......

Dr-Watts · 5th Feb 2009, 8:32 pm

That is superb !
No other word for it.

We've got one at our local radio station, (That I have to look after) that's been used to log programmes for the last 20 years, you should hear that

Probably the worst B77 in the entire world lol.

Well done Paolo, that's a brilliant machine.

Regards

Dr. Watts

Tim · 6th Feb 2009, 2:29 am

Well done Paul. I love these Revoxes. Get a good tape in one of those @15ips and you can't beat it!
I wonder if I should get the PR99 down from the loft...............

paolo · 6th Feb 2009, 10:20 am

Thank you both for your kind words

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

I wonder if I should get the PR99 down from the loft...............

There can only be one answer to THAT question!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr-Watts

That is superb !
We've got one at our local radio station, (That I have to look after) that's been used to log programmes for the last 20 years, you should hear that

Probably the worst B77 in the entire world lol.

I doubt it! There are lots and lots of thrashed and trashed B and A77's. As you know, though, the good thing is that they can be repaired and restored easily due to the ready availability of spare parts. The bad thing is that said parts are

expensive. Mind you, I'd rather invest in keeping one of these going than a Technics or a Pioneer. More chance of keeping one going as well!

Incidentally, in case someone pulls up this thread in a future search and is wondering what tape I am using in the video, its RMGI SM911. Very, very good tape, but it wants to be for the price

Paul

29th Jan 2009, 1:46 pm	#1
paolo Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 615	Revox B77 MkII High Speed I've been a bit tardy in writing up this one, mainly because of the Christmas/New Year break and because its summer here and its been far too nice to slave over a hot keyboard . However, a couple of months ago, I picked up a rather nice Revox B77 MkII reel to reel tape recorder. Its the high speed version (7.5ips and 15ips), twin track model. This particular unit is one of the last ones to be made. It was purchased in late 1991 and the chassis is marked January 28, 1988. January 28 is rather spooky as that's my birthday. However, I digress. The machine was essentially in exellent mechanical condition when I picked it up. It had been purchased by a local performing arts centre as part of the initial inventory but had never seen much use. In fact, it had spent the last 10 years in a cupboard collecting copious amounts of dust. I got it home and did a thorough clean up. It was filthy. I then plugged it in to see what was what. Before anyone winces, the person I bought it from had already plugged it in to see if it worked, so I figured I could hardly make things worse . Lo and behold, it all worked pretty much perfectly. One VU meter light was out, the counter belt was broken, the left record toggle switch had been snapped off and the right one was hanging on by a thread. Nevertheless, it started, stopped, recorded and played as one would expect. All that was required was some general TLC to the case. I ordered some replacements from Germany. Instead of the complete switch, I simply bought some replacement switch shafts. They are made of metal rather than plastic. Replacement is a case of removing the switch, drilling out a brass rivet and replacing the toggle. A screw/nut assembly substitutes for the rivet. Hopefully they will last forever! For the belts and lamp, I ordered a service kit from Italy. I replaced the counter belt and dismantled the entire machine to replace the toggles. I took the opportunity to clean the audio control PCB and make sure that all the connections on the audio daughter cards were sparkling. After a stupid mistake with the wiring to the power switch, I managed to get it all back together and now its working 100%. I am extremely happy with it. I used to drool over Revox catalogues when I was younger but they were always beyond my reach. In fact, this might be my favourite toy Even my wife makes approving noises! Although the 4 track version would be more economical with tape, the two track sound is hard to beat! Its well worth perservering with these machines. Although parts are expensive, they really are built like tanks and quite easy to deal with. Thanks to everyone on the forum who helped out with guiding me on my journey! Rather than duplicate the series of photos already posted in my B77 thread in the Vintage Tape section, I thought I'd post a video instead Paul

29th Jan 2009, 9:22 pm	#2
batterymaker1 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Posts: 674	Re: Revox B77 MkII High Speed That thing by itself looks expensive. And the playback is smooooooooooooooooth at 7.5 alone.... Blew me away at 15. Gorgeous machine. __________________ Just playing with high voltage....

30th Jan 2009, 12:27 am	#3
paolo Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 615	Re: Revox B77 MkII High Speed Thanks batterymaker These machines were very expensive when new. Totally out of reach for me, certainly. These days, they can be picked up for reasonable money but the big problem is finding one that hasn't been thrashed and in need to new heads. The playback head alone costs US$400! There are also lots of other things than can wear out and go wrong too. However, for my money the Revox B77 and A77 take a lot of beating. The sound is very, very smooth. The video can't really do it justice though because although the audio is from the machine itself, the process of turning it into a reasonably sized video means that what you're hearing is basically a 192kbps mp3! Its MUCH punchier than this really. Some people swear that Tandberg made better machines or that the Pioneer 909 is the best, but I'll just have to take their word on that, Unless I find one in reasonable condition, that is......

5th Feb 2009, 8:32 pm	#4
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Re: Revox B77 MkII High Speed That is superb ! No other word for it. We've got one at our local radio station, (That I have to look after) that's been used to log programmes for the last 20 years, you should hear that Probably the worst B77 in the entire world lol. Well done Paolo, that's a brilliant machine. Regards Dr. Watts __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man

6th Feb 2009, 2:29 am	#5
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,308	Re: Revox B77 MkII High Speed Well done Paul. I love these Revoxes. Get a good tape in one of those @15ips and you can't beat it! I wonder if I should get the PR99 down from the loft............... __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."