Revox A77 mkIII update!!!!

[Squank]

Good news guys!!!
I received today the two VU meters and the counter I was waiting for, in order to change the counter and left vu meter that were not functioning on my Revox A77,for which the story can be found on a previous thread.
Anyway, I replaced the left vu meter and the counter and then took a drive to my local electonic shop in order to find a new counter belt, since the old one is loose and aged. I didn't find the same one, the guy that worked there told me that he hasn't got any round ones, so I got a square one and a bit thinner,but it works great so...
Next stop was at a bookstore where I bought a two color eraser!*idea*
You see I had this great idea of using the blue hard part of the eraser to relap the heads of the deck.I thought it would be hard enough to get the job done and smooth enough to avoid damaging them.
Well it worked!!!!*bananadance*
I'm listening to it as we speak and it's alive!!! It sounds great! I'm in heaven!!!

Next thing I'm gonna do is to write down the values of all the Frako electrolytics and try to find replacements.
Only thing I can't figure out still is the damn auto stop function!*bang*

[Nakdoc]

Auto stop is optical. If you are experience random stops, your tape oxide is flaking off leaving clear spots.

[Nakdoc]

Please save the old meters. I may need them for repairs. I am trying to discover a method to repair these.

[Squank]

Please save the old meters. I may need them for repairs. I am trying to discover a method to repair these.

It's only one Nakdoc, I'll be more than happy to post it to you.
PM me your address.
What I get from the auto stop is simply... No auto stop!!!
Whenever the tape ends the take up reel continues to spin!Do you know how is this thing going to work?

[chartz]

Hi,

Does the auto-stop bulb on the left work?
It should be permanently lit!

Jacques

[Squank]

Hi,

Does the auto-stop bulb on the left work?
It should be permanently lit!

Jacques

Yes of course it does, otherwise I wouldn't be so frustrated.
I tried everything! A lot of lights on around, no lights at all around, I even took a torch and shed more light at the place to see if the light of the bulb is not enough.No deal!!!*ill*

[chartz]

Did you check on the BC 107 (Q111), along with R155 (photo sensor)?
The associated relays work since other operations are fine!
Also check the connectors FH1/FH2.

http://chartz.perso.neuf.fr/images/A77/Capture%20d%3f%E9cran%202011-06-13%20%E0%2010.58.59.jpg

[Squank]

Did you check on the BC 107 (Q111), along with R155 (photo sensor)?
The associated relays work since other operations are fine!
Also check the connectors FH1/FH2.

http://chartz.perso.neuf.fr/images/A77/Capture%20d%3f%E9cran%202011-06-13%20%E0%2010.58.59.jpg

No I haven't, since I didn't know where to look, so thanks for pointing out!
I don't feel like opening the deck at the moment, but I will when I find the time to go out and get the caps I plan to replace, until then i'll try to be close enough to hit the stop button whenever the reel ends.
I'm enjoying the sound so much at the moment,that I can't put myself to take it apart again!

[chartz]

Hi,

Yes, I understand your dilemma!

My A77 also sounds incredible, whatever super cassette deck lovers say, I have never heard better than a good reel-to-reel (with perfect heads) on fresh new tape (very important). My Revox is virtually new: I just had to replace a few electrolytics but that's it.
Its mike inputs are superb too.
And remember many recordings used this, including the famous "Jazz at the Pawnshop".

In my system...

http://chartz.perso.neuf.fr/images/system.jpg

[Squank]

My friend this is an awesome setup!!!
Congrats!!!*thumbsup*
I'd love to be able to listen to a b&o system such as yours!
For the time being, though, what are your impression of the A76 tuner?
I have one on the way to my hands.

[chartz]

Thanks for the compliments!
The A76 is an excellent tuner and you are going to love it!
It is sensitive and has superb sound quality.
As far as tape is concerned, I've also got a Nakamichi CR-4 and a 480Z, apart from the Beocord 9000!

Jacques

[Squank]

And how does the 9000 compares to the Naks?

[chartz]

Very favourably I might say!

[Audiomayvin]

Hi!
2 comments: 1) As for the end of tape shut off, a very common problem is the photocell that becomes "tired". The S.M. says to unsolder one wire from the photocell and measure the resistance with the light shining on it. If I'm not mistaken, it should read less than 2 Kohms. If it's higher there's your problem.
2) You used an eraser to relap a head?????? I will tell you bluntly that you did not relap anything-perhaps you removed some stubborn oxide.
All the best,
Leon(The Audiomayvin, Montreal(514)739-5403)
P.S. I've been authourised service for Revox for many years in Montreal.

[Squank]

Hi!
2 comments: 1) As for the end of tape shut off, a very common problem is the photocell that becomes "tired". The S.M. says to unsolder one wire from the photocell and measure the resistance with the light shining on it. If I'm not mistaken, it should read less than 2 Kohms. If it's higher there's your problem.
2) You used an eraser to relap a head?????? I will tell you bluntly that you did not relap anything-perhaps you removed some stubborn oxide.
All the best,
Leon(The Audiomayvin, Montreal(514)739-5403)
P.S. I've been authourised service for Revox for many years in Montreal.

Thank you on your first comment and i did rellaped the heads,i actually changed the flat shape to a nice round one with no corner edges ,very close to the original shape.
I used an old type eraser that has two different surfases like the one in the picture,a red soft one for erasing pencil on paper and a hard blue one for erasing ball pen that of course didn't really ever erased the ink,instead it took actual paper layers with it,so it is hard enough and the Revox heads are soft enough,so there you have it,a great combination!

[Squank]

[QUOTE=Audiomayvin;160748]Hi!
2 comments: 1) As for the end of tape shut off, a very common problem is the photocell that becomes "tired". The S.M. says to unsolder one wire from the photocell and measure the resistance with the light shining on it. If I'm not mistaken, it should read less than 2 Kohms. If it's higher there's your problem.
QUOTE]

I read somewhere that if a "tired" photocell is the case,a cheap and easy fix would be to change R118 from,i think,470 ohm to 1kohm or higher,depending on the reading you will get from the measurement that you suggest.Is that correct?
I was thinking to give it a try,since buying a new photocell would cost considerably more...
I already changed the bc-107 (Q111 on the s.m.) but the problem stays.
Regards

[Audiomayvin]

Hi!
If you have a local "cheap parts supplier" you very likely would find photocells for perhaps 39 cents or 99 cents. They're Cadmium Sulfide and are available everywhere.
All the best,
Leon(The Audiomayvin, Montreal(514)739-5403)