Any showing of the new Revox at RMAF?

[TommyTunes]

It was supposed to make it's debut at the show, was it shown?

[mep]

No.

[MylesBAstor]

No as Mark said. According to Brian Tucker, Volker is aiming to have a machine ready for Axpona. I think his move to Bratislava took more time than he expected.

[tom_hankins]

I went to the show mainly to see/hear the new Revox. $$$ in my pocket. Good news was a lot of tape sources at the show.

[MylesBAstor]

The good news is there will be two and hopefully three (or more) turnkey tape decks out there:

Mara Machines rebuilt MCI
UHA Phase 1
Revox/Horch House

The prices will be from $4000-$6500. Not a bad price to dip your toes into the reel-to-reel medium. I'd certainly say probably better sounding than the commensurately priced digital or vinyl playback system. Of course software is an other issue. But that was true for all new mediums at the beginning including stereo, digital, SACD, tape where the supply of hardware outstripped the supply of software. But eventually the supply of software caught up. And now that the industry sees someone like Chad had jumped into the software market, others may develop new machines (Nagra for instance has talked about a new machine) and others may release new tapes. All in all, an exciting time!

[El Magnifico]

I talked with Volker last week and he told me that they were primary focusing on the Asian Market. He didn't sound too fond about this side of the pond from the Revox' project point of view. They were waiting for heads,so, the machine could be available by next year...or at least that's what he said. In the mean time, a perfectly restored Crown made for your specifications is not more than $1,500 with warranty and looking like new. The MARA machine is my next selection, because at the price our colleagues from J Corder and UHA sell their units for, I rather buy an Studer A-810 or something in that league. Nice machines, by all means, but...

Regards!

[[email protected]]

Very disappointing if the focus is only the Asian market. I've been looking forward to this as a potential entry to rtr. I'd prefer a new deck -vs- refurb if it delivers a quality build and sound. UHA and corder are out of my price range as well so I may not be able to get into this as I had hoped.

[MylesBAstor]

Dunno, not the story I heard from Brian Tucker whose the US distributor. Who knows? Volker is impossible to reach.

The MARA machine is still undergoing work and probably won't really be ready for prime time until next year. The transport was unacceptably noisy at RMAF and Chris is working on that issue. I mean really noisy. MEP and I couldn't believe how loud it sounded.

There's a possibility I will have a prototype of the MARA machine here this month. Am waiting to hear.

Personally, I don't think anyone can go wrong with the Technics because of its constant tension system or an Otari. That tension is all so important for sonics and most pro-sumer decks don't deal with that function.

[El Magnifico]

Just buy a refurbished machine with warranty like the Crown or Mara I just pointed out. You wouldn't be disappointed in any way and could save you a lot of $$$!

[mep]

Depending on the ambient noise level of your listening room, you might need to have the Mara located in another room when it's playing tapes.

[[email protected]]

Who sells refurbished Crowns?

[dminches]

One can buy a perfectly working RS-1500 from j-corder for under $2500.

[MylesBAstor]

One can buy a perfectly working RS-1500 from j-corder for under $2500.

Have you checked Jeff's site lately?

http://shop.j-corder.com/

Looks like the new opening bid is $4995 unless I missed something.

I did buy mine for Jeff 10 years ago for $2500.

[dminches]

Have you checked Jeff's site lately?

http://shop.j-corder.com/

Looks like the new opening bid is $4995 unless I missed something.

I did buy mine for Jeff 10 years ago for $2500.

Myles, that is if you want a fancy looking one. I have purchased 3 decks from Jeff which have no extra aesthetic changes. That reduces the cost quite a bit.

[astrotoy]

If anyone is interested, I will shortly be downsizing my collection of 4 R2R to my two ATR-102's (all I really need :-)). Going will be my beloved Bottlehead modified Technics 1506 with wireless remote and Bottlehead prepro - all mounted by BH in one case - bought new, and my nice condition Otari MX5050BIII with 2track record/play, and 4track stereo play heads, relapped by JRF. PM me if interested - prefer a local (SF Bay Area) sale, especially for the Bottlehead Technics.

Larry

[MylesBAstor]

Myles, that is if you want a fancy looking one. I have purchased 3 decks from Jeff which have no extra aesthetic changes. That reduces the cost quite a bit.

Way I read his page was $4995 bought you stock looking machine. I dunno....perhaps it's that those are refinished stock units. But yes, $2500 for checked out machine is good. And he will install Flux Magnetic heads that I strongly suggest.

[El Magnifico]

Crowndoc, Chuck Ziska from Ocala, FL is the one who specialize in refurbished Crowns. You can buy one for $1,500 or less in like new condition and with guarantee. Google him and tell Chuck I send you. You wouldn't be disappointed.

Well, my experience with MCI has been very positive. Nice sounding machine and with one of the best tape handling in the industry. Ceramic capstan shaft, etc. Most of the recordings made during the 70's and beginning of the 80's were done on these machines. As you can see, the sound was excellent!

[[email protected]]

Looking at the Crown SX 700 - are the capstan and pinch roller up under the main housing where the heads are located? Does this model have the tape tensioning feature like some of the pro-Sumer decks? Reading up on the Crowns - they seem like workhorse decks used, for example, in radio stations and ran nearly continuously in some applications.

[El Magnifico]

I only have the more modern and refined 800's transport: CX and SX 800. These things are indestructible and very easy to work with. Machines like these were originally designed for "on site" recordings in very remote places by missionaries. Many were parachuted, got wet, mud and still running for ever. They designed the machine to run for 10 years without any serious service...at least that's what Crown said. Anyway, they are bulky, rustic, is not the best tape handling deck and looks way too "industrial". BUT, the sound is unique and the longevity is unsurpassed by any. Heavy as hell too...and the good thing is that you can still grab one fully serviced for less than $1,500

[MylesBAstor]

Crowndoc, Chuck Ziska from Ocala, FL is the one who specialize in refurbished Crowans. You can buy one for $1,500 or less in like new condition and with guarantee. Google him and tell Chuck I send you. You wouldn't be disappointed.

Well, my experience with MCI has been very positive. Nice sounding machine and with one of the best tape handling in the industry. Ceramic capstan shaft, etc. Most of the recordings made during the 70's and beginning of the 80's were done on these machines. As you can see, the sound was excellent!

My tape buddies Charlie King and Rich Brown/U47 think the best part of the MCI machines are the Bogen heads. Charlie is why replace the stock heads?