Revox PR99 mk I for $75 should I get

[Doug_Olitsky]

Saw this an was wondering if I sould get

This unit is pretty clean outside, beautiful inside. Powers up and runs and motors are smooth and fine, but Play won't engage, likely just a belt. No idea about shape of heads etc but the fact that it's been well kept is a good sign. Good for parts but that would be a shame, this is clean enough that it ought to be serviced and put to use.

dont know about it ... how many motors etc???

[Des-Lab]

Can you examine the deck before you buy it? If so, I'd bring a tape "just to make sure", even though it's stated that play doesn't engage. If that's all it is, you should still be able to test the transport functions (such as fast-wind) as well as see how responsive the deck is-to see if there's anything indicative of deeper problems. The heads are usally pretty easy to examine visually: are they clean and shiny? Or are they tarnished and oxidized? What about wear? Give them the ol' fingernail test. Are they deeply scored-indicating heavy use (and likely near the end of their service life)? Or does your fingernail either 'barely' catch or not catch at all-indicating light use and lots of life left?

If everything else checks out like you said, for $75, this would be tough to pass up. Even if it does need just a new belt or minor servicing. Factoring the cost of that (assuming you don't need to ship it anywhere), it's probably still a good price.

[Doug_Olitsky]

I received word that a person is supposed to look at it and I'm 2nd in line.*headache*

If I get the call I'll bring tape and check it out.

Its local so I can inspect in person.

[Des-Lab]

I received word that a person is supposed to look at it and I'm 2nd in line


Oh geez. I hope the seller isn't playing THAT game with this.*bang*

The ol' playing one buyer off a [nonexistant] second one. Usually goes something like this:

Prospective buyer: "I'm interested in your item. But I want to see it first"

Seller: "Well I have someone on the way over and he's SURE he wants it. You better buy it now"....


Or the brother to that scam: Buyer offers asking price of XXX. And seller responds "well I've got someone lined up willing to pay XXX ABOVE my asking price if I "hold it". So if you REALLY want it, you might want to beat that price."


...and so it goes.

I'm not accusing this seller of doing that. But it is the oldest trick in the used car business. I would think that in most cases, if it's a fixed price, no strings attached sale, it would be first come, first served.

So if you CAN get there before this "other" 'interested party' does, then why not?

[Doug_Olitsky]

I've come across that before and this does not seem the case.

When I first contacted him I asked when Can I come to buy NOT look.

When he replied he did not play the game saying that for more $ I could have. Just he'll let me know if dude 1 does not take.

here's his note, seems neutral...

"Hello,

I have someone supposedly coming by today, if they don't I'll email you and let you know. No hubs, don't know about pinch rollers, I can look but I'm not a tape deck person. I saved this from neighbor's family that was going to throw it out when they cleaned out apt. I don't know much about tape decks but I know you don't throw out a Revox reel to reel working or not. "

[fa8362]

Be aware that's a play only PR99. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it though. It's a decent transport and most of the electronics are bypassed if you use the DIN output connector on top. There's a pdf on the internet about Tape Project usage of the Revox B77 (consumer version of the PR99) which explains the DIN output. Google it.

[fa8362]

Lo and behold, joeljoel1947 had already posted the link on the B77/PR99 on this site. Here it is again:

http://laocaudiosociety.net/tech/ReVox2.pdf

Even if you aren't interested in the Tape Project, you'll get better sound.

[Steerpike]

It is NOT a play-only version: it has rec level controls and ready/safe switches.
No Revox tape deck ever used belts, EXCEPT for the counters. The drive system on *every* model is 3 direct drive motors.
$75 is a very good price for an excellent machine - BUT the new heads and pinch rollers are very expensive.

Most PR99s were half-track machines, so they cannot play 'domestic' format tapes that were recorded on 'both sides'.

[Doug_Olitsky]

too bad it sold I missed it by a few minutes! drat