Should I buy a Revox A-77?

[ke6igz]

I have just been offered a Revox A-77 machine. The seller says its in "working" condition. What do these machines go for as far as price? What should I look for? I have a Teac A-3340S that I got recently. I assume I would want a quarter track A-77 and not a half track so I can play the tapes made on my 3340s. How will the sound quality compare to my 3340s?

[hakka26]

I have two of the later A-77's and was amazed at the sound when I bought the first. Hard to believe it was some 30 years old and I don't know how long it had been boxed. Only problems were the tape sensor light was out and the counter belt was gone. This is the suitcase model with on board amp. I believe the standard models run around $200. But, wide prices on both sides of that. I bought mine for some obscenely low prices. Make sure it comes with the remote plug as it will turn on but the reels won't spin.

[TheReeler]

How many $$$ is he asking?.

A77 can be adquired from about $100 to $500, depending on which configuration and state of the heads, etc etc etc.

[ke6igz]

They are asking $120. I will need to take a close look at it and test it out before I know what the condition of it really is. I am going to look at it today.

[TheReeler]

Do you know exactly which model is? MKI, II, III or IV?

Speeds and heads configuration?...

[ke6igz]

Just talked to the seller again. Its a 7.5/15 ips machine. Its a half track and the serial number is 67991.

Is the half track a bad thing? My other machine is a TEAC 3340s? Its a quarter track machine.

[TheReeler]

A half track means that the machine records and plays two tracks in all the width of the tape, so that if you listen to a tape until the end, and then, flip the reel, you'll listen the tape backwards, there's no side A and side B, there's only one side.

What does it mean?. If you record a tape in a half track machine and play it back in a quater track machine, you'll listen +3dB in the left channel, but the tape is playable. But if you listen a quater track tape in a half track machine, you'll listen side A and side B "mixed".

If you want to have a half track machine or not ... is your choice.

According to the serial number, is a MK-III version.

[vinyldavid]

I'd jump on that, but then again, I do live recording and might go into studio stuff, so a deck like that would be a boon to have.....

[ke6igz]

All I do is record my own material from radio, cd, computer or LP etc. I don't really have a need to play pre-recorded material. If I ever do it would probably be nice to have a half track in case the tape was recorded half track. I can always play quarter track on my Teac 3340s. Isn't it true that half track is higher quality because the tracks are wider on the tape?

[TheReeler]

True, it has about 3 dB more of signal to noise ratio.

So, you must find your own anwser. Do you or don't you want a half track machine?.

If you have any doubt, try to down the price to $100... *Hi5*

[vinyldavid]

Isn't it true that half track is higher quality because the tracks are wider on the tape?

Almost a rule. *reelspin*

For $120, I'd already be there.....(if I had the $120 to spend)


Good Luck! *Hi5*


If it's all working, you cna probably sell it if you do not like it for far more than you payed.

[TheReeler]

What happened?... Do you have know that A77 or not?.

[ke6igz]

Well here is is.

Revox A-77
High speed model 7.5/15 ips
Half track heads
Built in Dolby noise reduction.

He also threw in a Revox NAB hub and two metal Scotch take up reels.

Got him down to $110 for everything.

It has a few scratches in the wood on the sides and the end of tape sensor does not work. The heads are in good shape. Thats all that I can find wrong with it.

http://www.drconsult.biz/gallery2/d/3710-2/IMG_3820.JPG

[ke6igz]

It sounds really good. One thing I noticed is it is more natural sounding than my Teac A-3340s. The Teac seems to punch up the bass alot. I have to turn the bass control down about two click with the Teac. Thats in source and tape modes.

[vinyldavid]

*eyepop**eyepop**eyepop*

Holy F*CK!

That's an INSANE deal. *reelspin* Enjoy! *Hi5*

*hearts**hearts**hearts**hearts**hearts**hearts*

[Acoustic]

On a calmer but similar response.... you got a heck of a deal on a great recorder. It looks to be in fine shape too. You'll probably spend at least that much more acquiring a matching Revox NAB hub. ENJOY!!*reelspin* *reelspin* *reelspin* *reelspin*

[TheReeler]

You'll probably spend at least that much more acquiring a matching Revox NAB hub. ENJOY!!*reelspin* *reelspin* *reelspin* *reelspin*

More or less. A pair of revox alu NAB adapter go for 100-130 euros, but there are auctions for just one alone... but they're odd.