Revox B215

[stuartypoorty]

I have the opportunity of securing one of these, just curious, is any member using or had one in the past and if that's the case what were your impressions.

I know it comes with a great reputation for build integrity and engineering but how good was it in the recording stakes against say a CR-7 or other decks at this level ?

All comments welcome.

[niklasthedolphin]

I had one like that.
I still have a B710.
I find the 710 sweeter sounding.

They happen to record better than they play.
They are built like tanks.
They perform really good.
Don't expect better sound than in your CR7.
The headphone Amp in the Revoxes is low quality.

If you want Revox cassette deck, I will recomend the B710 mkII.

I also have some Tandberg machines.
They perform better than the CR-7, the Dragon, ZX-9 and the 1000ZXL.

So if you just want the sound quality of your cassette deck upgraded, no matter the expence, go for a Tandberg machine in the three thousand series or nine hundred series.

Here in Scandinavia, parts are easier obtainable than in the US.
So servicing is just as easy/hard as with Nak macines.

"dolph"

[macster]

I have 2 which were overhauled by JMT. They are good decks, just ergonomicaly challenged. They have a somewhat warmer sound than the NAKs. My favorite decks are as follows:

1. 681 ZX
2. CR7A
3. B-215
4. CR5A
5. Tascam 122 MKIII

No Tandbergs for me, just not my cup of tea.

My choice for the "Sleeper Nak Deck" is the BX-150.

M~

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Here are my two B215 - I am so happy that now I have two of those beasts..

D.

[reeltorock]

I'm currently in the process of acquiring the B215 listed recently on Audiogon. Finally a taste of the higher-end decks again! My newcomer seems to be nice, and complete with box, manual and the tape well cover. *bigthumbsup**reelspin**reelspin*

[4tified]

I can tell those Revox machines are built for quality and probably sound superb, but man are they ugly.

It's the sound that matters though, right?

[reeltorock]

I can tell those Revox machines are built for quality and probably sound superb, but man are they ugly.

It's the sound that matters though, right?

Definitely an 'industrial' look. Yes, it's the sound that matters, and the engineering is really something to be appreciated in these machines.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

I can tell those Revox machines are built for quality and probably sound superb, but man are they ugly.

It's the sound that matters though, right?

Yes they do sound superb. and no they are not ugly - beauty is in the eye of the beholder

cheers
D.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

I'm currently in the process of acquiring the B215 listed recently on Audiogon. Finally a taste of the higher-end decks again! My newcomer seems to be nice, and complete with box, manual and the tape well cover. *bigthumbsup**reelspin**reelspin*

Please post pictures of it after you get it !

Thanks,
D.

[Dazen1]

I have the opportunity of securing one of these, just curious, is any member using or had one in the past and if that's the case what were your impressions.

I know it comes with a great reputation for build integrity and engineering but how good was it in the recording stakes against say a CR-7 or other decks at this level ?

All comments welcome.

I have never owned one but I did have the pleasure of hearing this model over the period of a few months many years ago.

Whilst I never had an opportunity to make any recordings off this machine I was able to listen to tapes that were made on it. The sound was excellent - very dynamic and clean.

The build quality was superb and I would choose it over a Nakamichi.

You have probably seen this already but I'll post it for the benefit of others:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIgot7CIT0

Good luck!

[stuartypoorty]

Definitely an 'industrial' look. Yes, it's the sound that matters, and the engineering is really something to be appreciated in these machines.

Perhaps, to some eyes the standard B215 has a singular look, great machine nonetheless.

My B215-S, which affectionately is known as "The beast" still has that functional appearance, albeit marginally prettier.

Aesthetics aside, you learn very quickly to love the Revox for it's solid day to day performance, mechanical reliability and quality of sound.

[Naknut]

Perhaps, to some eyes the standard B215 has a singular look, great machine nonetheless.

My B215-S, which affectionately is known as "The beast" still has that functional appearance, albeit marginally prettier.

Aesthetics aside, you learn very quickly to love the Revox for it's solid day to day performance, mechanical reliability and quality of sound.

The B215 has been on my want list for ever. The B215-S has to one of the rarest deck out there right? I'd never heard or seen of one until your post.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIgot7CIT0


Oo I know this video - this is the funky german fellow who pedantically describes and shows all the features of B215. BTW, did somebody read the book which he advertises at the end of the clip - Die Sprechende Maschines (The Speaking Machines) ? It ain't cheap - I wonder if it is good one ?

D.

[stuartypoorty]

The B215 has been on my want list for ever. The B215-S has to one of the rarest deck out there right? I'd never heard or seen of one until your post.

Larry,

You might like this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260417662659 and this too - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290321258064

The price is more or less around this figure in Germany for a B215-S, not much fluctuation there unfortunately.

I've seen them for sale in Italy at a slightly lower cost, less frequently though.

Key words are; Revox - kassettendeck - sonstige, that should point you in the right direction. Although less common, they do pop up more than you'd imagine.

Stuart

[Naknut]

Thanks Stuart, now I know what to look for and where to look. Still, I'd guess a very rare beast on this side of the world.

[CanJet]

I have never owned one but I did have the pleasure of hearing this model over the period of a few months many years ago.

Whilst I never had an opportunity to make any recordings off this machine I was able to listen to tapes that were made on it. The sound was excellent - very dynamic and clean.

The build quality was superb and I would choose it over a Nakamichi.

You have probably seen this already but I'll post it for the benefit of others:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIgot7CIT0

Good luck!

Great video. I hate the youtube videos where there's just some guy playing music on their deck, turntable whatever. Speak damn you! I go on there hoping to hear about features, functions etc instead of just hearing what is always crappy sound quality.

Revox is and has been on my want list for awhile now too. Too much money to drop on yet another deck for now though.

[stuartypoorty]

Here's one at a relatively reasonable price, EU buyers only though; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290323315338

Looks in good order cosmetically.

[CanJet]

Here's one at a relatively reasonable price, EU buyers only though; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290323315338

Looks in good order cosmetically.


Thank God it's not worldwide . . . don't tempt me. *hypnot**drool*

[A.N.T.]

The mech of my newly acquired Revox B-215 (http://www.ant-audio.co.uk/Photos/Revox/B215/album/index.html) during a major cleaning operation...

Alex

[Naknut]

Yes you have your work cut out for you on this one, must have been sitting unused for long time. I have heard that the Revox B215 was built like a tank now I see why, nothing flimsy or plastic about it.
Good luck on your project.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

The mech of my newly acquired Revox B-215 (http://www.ant-audio.co.uk/Photos/Revox/B215/album/index.html) during a major cleaning operation...

Alex

The head is in excellent shape , these are the original pinch rollers and they still have life, man this is unused revox! The only concern I have why the bolts are so corroded ?? Normally those bolts would never corrode - has the deck been stored on the sea bottom *eyepop* Be careful with that flexible PCB - if you bend it too much it may break (especially if it has been stored in inhospitable place) and then is hard to fix. Yep, the heads are in excellent condition..

CHeers,
Dimitar

[A.N.T.]

The head is in excellent shape , these are the original pinch rollers and they still have life, man this is unused revox! The only concern I have why the bolts are so corroded ?? Normally those bolts would never corrode - has the deck been stored on the sea bottom *eyepop* Be careful with that flexible PCB - if you bend it too much it may break (especially if it has been stored in inhospitable place) and then is hard to fix. Yep, the heads are in excellent condition..

CHeers,
Dimitar

Hi Dimitar,

Yes, the head is fine. It is apparently a sendust head, as you can see from a close-up picture of it. However the rollers are not really good. I had to replace them - on the last picture you may see one of my replacements. I've tried three different pairs of rollers from my collection and only the third pair (not the one on the photo) was really good. With the old rollers W&F was about 0.15% DIN, with new ones for one pair (as on the photo) it was 0.2%, for the second pair about the same as with the old rollers but another pair (also with plastic bearings) produced W&F below 0.1% DIN . There are still some issues - I will investigate further the DD motors electronics. Also one of the reel motors has a worn out bearing and I had to swap two motors to get a better one for a take-up side. Now the take-up torque is stable (before it was jumpy and produced noticeable spikes on W&F meter.

It really looks like this deck was stored in some dump shed for few years - corrosion visible on some metal parts, including flyweels, some screws are rusty and there was a lot of fine dust on the mech. Now it is reasonably clean and in general works fine but it looks like there is some flutter on DD motors. I need to investigate further as I plan to use this deck for making alignment tapes.

Cheers

Alex

[Dimitar Georgiev]

With the old rollers W&F was about 0.15% DIN, with new ones for one pair (as on the photo) it was 0.2%, for the second pair about the same as with the old rollers but another pair (also with plastic bearings) produced W&F below 0.1% DIN .

Alex, I am surprised you are getting so high values of W&F with this deck. To me it means that the capstan motor(s) and/or the servo control is really messed up. B215 in good working condition can produce 10 times lower values for W&F than those you have measured. B215 is the deck with the lowest W&F ever measured as far as I recall. BTW, could you hear this W&F - for instance if you listen to piano concert can you hear a beat while piano note decays ?

D.

[A.N.T.]

Alex, I am surprised you are getting so high values of W&F with this deck. To me it means that the capstan motor(s) and/or the servo control is really messed up. B215 in good working condition can produce 10 times lower values for W&F than those you have measured. B215 is the deck with the lowest W&F ever measured as far as I recall. BTW, could you hear this W&F - for instance if you listen to piano concert can you hear a beat while piano note decays ?

D.

Dimitar,

I am also surprised. I was expecting considerably lower figures. Low W&F was the very reason I've bought this deck. Today I've traced the problem to the left capstan. It is producing most of the W&F on this machine. Possibly it is damaged - in that case I can not do much. Possibly it is just dirty and misaligned (I've found that the motor PCB is somewhat loose and the movement of the flyweel is not as smooth as it should be). Servo electronics checks OK, moreover it allows me to see the problem just by connecting in the servo loop. I will make another attempt to fix it and see what I can do with that motor... .

Cheers

Alex

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Possibly it is just dirty and misaligned (I've found that the motor PCB is somewhat loose and the movement of the flyweel is not as smooth as it should be).

Alex, I doubt it is misaligned. In order the capstan to get misaligned this thing has to be hit really hard directly. If you do not see marks of direct hit to the capstan then it is not misaligned. Most likely corrosion is the culprit. The other possible problem with these DD motors is failed Hall element. For details how to detect Hall element problem see here:

http://www.revox.name/bilderstrecken/b710mki/b710mki.htm


D.

[A.N.T.]

Alex, I doubt it is misaligned. In order the capstan to get misaligned this thing has to be hit really hard directly. If you do not see marks of direct hit to the capstan then it is not misaligned. Most likely corrosion is the culprit. The other possible problem with these DD motors is failed Hall element. For details how to detect Hall element problem see here:

http://www.revox.name/bilderstrecken/b710mki/b710mki.htm


D.

Hi Dimitar,

Thank you for the link, however I think I've found what the problem is. I've just finished a full and very thorough cleaning and oiling of both capstans and W&F figure is now about 0.05% DIN and 0.03% RMS wtd. There is some asymmetry still in the left capstan so I will try to replace it.

Cheers

Alex

[Dimitar Georgiev]

There is some asymmetry still in the left capstan so I will try to replace it.


Alex could you post a close-up on the left capstan if you have time. I am curious how this assymetry looks like. I am asking you this because I happen to have the transport of B215 which was with completely worn out sendust head which means very high mileage and I could not see or feel any single irregularity on neither of the capstans - nothing, it is still perfect surface without any scratches and no visible & touchable wear.

D.

[A.N.T.]

Alex could you post a close-up on the left capstan if you have time. I am curious how this assymetry looks like. I am asking you this because I happen to have the transport of B215 which was with completely worn out sendust head which means very high mileage and I could not see or feel any single irregularity on neither of the capstans - nothing, it is still perfect surface without any scratches and no visible & touchable wear.

D.

Here it is :)

Cheers

Alex

[A.N.T.]

This morning I've received a rather large parcel from Germany. The contents are on the first photo. General condition is OK and it is fully operational, thought a proper service would be in order. I plan to modify electronics on this one to my liking and use it as a playback machine.

Also a couple of photos for Dimitar - of my Revox B215 modified for making alignment tapes. On the internal view photo a "pitch control" PCB is visible on the back of the motor control board *thumbsup* .

Alex

[Naknut]

I can only drool when I see a deck like this.*drool*

[Dimitar Georgiev]

This morning I've received a rather large parcel from Germany. The contents are on the first photo. General condition is OK and it is fully operational, thought a proper service would be in order. I plan to modify electronics on this one to my liking and use it as a playback machine.

Also a couple of photos for Dimitar - of my Revox B215 modified for making alignment tapes. On the internal view photo a "pitch control" PCB is visible on the back of the motor control board *thumbsup* .

Alex

You are kidding me! Does it work with that JRP head ?
Did you change the equalizations and if yes by how much ? What are the PB and REC heads impedances ? If I am to replace the Canon head with say Sony sendust head I am not worried about the playback equalization - it is easy to adjust it. But the Rec head impedance will be much harder to match, as far as I recall B215 has output transformers on the recording signal path.. I have no clue how to adjust the rec amp for the new rec head impedance without rewinding those transformers.


Cheers,
Dimitar

[A.N.T.]

You are kidding me! Does it work with that JRP head ?
Did you change the equalizations and if yes by how much ? What are the PB and REC heads impedances ? If I am to replace the Canon head with say Sony sendust head I am not worried about the playback equalization - it is easy to adjust it. But the Rec head impedance will be much harder to match, as far as I recall B215 has output transformers on the recording signal path.. I have no clue how to adjust the rec amp for the new rec head impedance without rewinding those transformers.

Cheers,
Dimitar

Dimitar,

I only use the Revox as a transport *wink*. The head is connected to an external recording EQ amplifier and a bias oscillator. BTW, transformers on Revox are only for biasing, not for audio signal.

Alex

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Dimitar,
BTW, transformers on Revox are only for biasing, not for audio signal.


So those are just isolation 1:1 transformers ?

D.

[A.N.T.]

So those are just isolation 1:1 transformers ?

D.

Dimitar,

T1/2 on the diagram are resonant transformers for the bias frequency - part of the HX-Pro system. I don't think these are 1:1.

Alex

[Mikemaxcel]

Alex,
What is so special about this JRP heads as compared to the original?
Where you got this from?

[A.N.T.]

Alex,
What is so special about this JRP heads as compared to the original?
Where you got this from?

It is not JPR, it is JRF and I've bought it from JRF Magnetics . It did cost me more than that Revox ;) . It is a full-track recording head so it can record the full width of the tape which is required for all proper alignment tapes.

Alex

[perry]

wow, those b215-s are really beautiful. I like the totally different look & layout of the Revox, plus I have the matching B285 receiver and the dual use remote, so the combo is a blast to use..I'll post some pics later. Alex, that B215 was amazingly filthy!!!! Even the parts B215 I just bought and am practicing restoration on is spotless...just doesn't run.

[Mikemaxcel]

Alex,
Do you produce alignment tapes for use in Deck，since you have a full-track head Revox？
What are the tapes you produce and how much would it cost to buy one?

[A.N.T.]

Alex,
Do you produce alignment tapes for use in Deck，since you have a full-track head Revox？
What are the tapes you produce and how much would it cost to buy one?

The list is now here (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?p=94141#post94141). Please PM me for prices in Euro.

Cheers

Alex

[Mikemaxcel]

Do I need a 16khz alignment tape for treble response adjustment as indicated
in the service manual No.5.4 checking the reproduce frequency response,beside the 250nwb/m level tone alignment tape?
And what would be the dB level for this 16khz alignment tape?

What are the alignment tapes required for a complete re-calibration for a B-215?

As I browsed through the SM, there is no indication when to use the 1khz or 1.5khz band-pass filter.
I would be happy if someone could through some lights on this.