Any Ampex collecters out there?

[Thatch]

I now have 4, don't know a thing about any of them besides they all are tube gear. I joined this group hoping there was someone who was deep into ampex that can give me some help on these, like figuring out which to overhaul first. I think the Pro 10 will record the best but might not play back the best. I got 2 suitcase amps w speakers, so I now have 5 Ampex suitcases and one shelf model.

Thatch

[toddbailey]

Does tape or reels count?
But I am on the hunt for a few of their 7" and 10 1/2in prosumer decks

[Listens2tubes]

I too would like a 10.5" Ampex machine. I have a Fineline 44 tube 7" machine I will rework one day. I am surprised there is no AMPEX in thye Specialties forums. Perhaps it should be suggested. What machines do you have? I have a buddy with ampex knowledge who I'll get to read this thread.

[vinyldavid]

Need more details.

[toddbailey]

Any comments on the Ampex Ax-300?

Is there a 10 1/2 inch equivalent I should be looking for?

[Thatch]

The RtRs I have are one each A-122, 1628, 2160, PR-10 and a couple of the A692 amp/speaker suitcases. At this point it seems to me that the PR-10 is the keeper, then the A-122. The 1628 looks to be tube and is a grey suitcase as is the PR-10, the A-122 and the amp/speakers. The 2160 could be tube but I don't know. It has a carrying handle but is covered with black, doesn't look like it had a hinged cover and it had an empty 7" reel and that is as large as it will hold. Looking at the reel it says it holds 400 feet.
I have Sam's coming on the a-122, the amps and found a disc on Ebay that has the PR-10 on it which I haven't bought yet.
The preamp of the PR-10 comes out which makes it easy to work on and I remember 12AX7 and 12BH7 tubes, so I could drop a 12AY7 into the AX7 slot to lower the gain and quiet it down for recording, maybe change it back for playing. Although the PR-10 is a portable pro gear recorder it weighs in around 50 lbs. The A-122 is in good shape, the others are a bit rough.
I want the amps and the best recording and playback machines, even if that means 2. I think I have enough room and the wife lets me do what I want with audio gear.
Whatever I don't want will need a new home, but right now what I need is info. None of these are super machines, but the PR-10 looks to be the easiest to overhaul and recap,etc, which is a big plus.
Finding schematics is hard. I hope getting belts won't be too hard. Tips on dealers of belts would be a help, especially if I can talk to them. Typing is not my strong suit.

Thatch

[Jonny Ramone]

Here's mine! TRY not to be jealous. And only $3! Unfortunately, It's the only 3 head deck I've found thrifting, so far. Cool meters, and the heads didn't look too worn, so it came home with me. Apparently a re-badged Hitachi, judging by the name being on the motor and some of the caps. I've got it to play, but it will take a fair amount of ingenuity to get it sounding decent. I consider this my ultimate cheapskate challenge.

[Kent T]

Here's your problem, there are few 10 1/2" reel capable Ampex machines which aren't over 250 pound studio high speed half-track machines. Your best bet you can afford is the ATR 700 or ATR 800.

[toddbailey]

Originally Posted by Kent T

Here's your problem, there are few 10 1/2" reel capable Ampex machines which aren't over 250 pound studio high speed half-track machines. Your best bet you can afford is the ATR 700 or ATR 800.

Looks like a cross between a Teac (note reel tables), and an Otari ( note back side)

And at $600, I'll pass

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Ampex-AT...item4cf6a47792

[chops-tube]

Originally Posted by toddbailey

Looks like a cross between a Teac (note reel tables), and an Otari ( note back side)

And at $600, I'll pass

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Ampex-AT...item4cf6a47792

Hate to say it, but that ATR-700 is ugly and utilitarian looking. And it does look like a combination of several decks put together. Then again, I'm sure that particular deck isn't the best example either. It's a bit rough around the edges.

[vinyldavid]

Actually I believe that the ATR-700 was built by Tascam, and was essentially a improved 7300 or the basis for the 7300. Great deck either way. I personally love the styling.

[ke4mcl]

thatch,

those tube ampex amps are sought after. rebuild them and they sound great. i have a few and always keep an eye out for them when i hit hamfests and fleamarkets. i love those little amps!

i had no idea anybody would be interested in the transports. i've been given a few rackmount mono ampex units that i need to take home. i believe they came from WIOD here in miami many many moons ago. i grabbed them for the amps. once i get them i'll post up the transports on the swap section here (if there is one). the amps on my units are actually preamps though. heard that folks mod them into mic preamps so i may give that a whirl.

i have (2) ampex ax300's and those suit my needs till i someday finish dubbing all my tapes to digital. i dont own any mono tapes.

[Kent T]

Fact, The ATR 700 was first designed as an Ampex product by Ampex, Teac did build it. It was aimed at broadcast use, not to be pretty and similar type pro work where a less expensive, lighter weight alternative to the ATR 100 and AG 440 lineup was needed. Teac did release it soon after as the A 7300, the machine which led to the formation of Teac's Tascam division. It still has a lot of Ampex in it, even though outsourced to manufacture. Ampex needed this type machine in reality as far back as 1963. They didn't have an under $1200 10 1/2" capable, 3 head, 3 motor machine then which most radio stations could afford, which meant then that stations who needed those features had to buy Magnecord or Crown machines then. The PR 10 launched then was too much money and lacked 10 1/2 inch capability and 3 motors. And was still 7 inch reels and single motor a la 600. And was $1100 new then.

[studeb]

I was looking at a 440C, it has been sitting for years, but was just fired up for some transfer use. 15/30ips.

Any ballpark value estimates? Interest?

thanks