I want an R2R

[mikeyb]

Hi,

I've been thinking about getting myself a reel to reel machine for ages and having met Ali yesterday and seen his R2R I want one even more lol.

Budget would be up to about £500 so what should I be looking for, it will mostly be used to do my own recordings, although pre-recorded tape will be purchased too.

Looks are a factor, I like the look of say the Pioneer 909 but I know it's WAY out of my budget [emoji45] the Revox B77 looks nice enough, I like vu meters lol.

So I'd appreciate some help/advice in picking up my first and no doubt last R2R.

Oh, and any advice on how to display/use one in the living room without 'The Boss' noticing it would be great too [emoji38]

Thanks,

Mike.

Ps: my dad has an old one that I used to listen to back in the 60's as a child, I must get him to look it out and see if it still works, from memory it's one of those that sits flat and came like a carry case style with snap on lid, but I've no idea of make or model, I'll find out later today.

[The Black Adder]

I owned the RT-909 for a long time. I even stripped it down and fully refurbished it with the swiss black parts. It's a lovely deck and it sounds superb!

The prices are however rather blown out of proportion for what they are these days because of their cool looks.

The RT-909 is up-gradable with DBXII circuits too and remote control. Let me know if you need any further advice.

Other options are Studer/Revox A807/A810/A77/B77. The internal build quality on the Studers/Revox are superior to the Pioneer in every way. But the RT-909 is more of a design classic as it's a more domestic/semi pro unit.

Hope that helps
Jo

[Firebottle]

Oh, and any advice on how to display/use one in the living room without 'The Boss' noticing it would be great too [emoji38]

Think you need the 'invisibility cloak' option Mike, bit difficult to find though :rfl:

Hang on I've found the link (_________) :eyebrows:

[mikmas]

If I was in the market for one with your budget this would be it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Revox-B77-MkII-1-2-Track-30-Day-Warranty-/111801433224?hash=item1a07e27c88:g:fUEAAOSw5VFWJL2 2

Always loved this model and the price is great for a serviced and good looking example.

As to disappearing - best thing is just not to mention it and see if it gets noticed, like the elephant :lol:

[Audio Al]

A77 great machine at 7.5 ips
B77 some machines do 15 ips = uses lots of tape quickly

My A77 has a clip on cover :)

You may just get a Otari MX55 in your budget

[Audio Advent]

If you can find one in the UK, a Tandberg TDA20SE is probably one of the best value - about £400 in good condition, perhaps less. The 'SE' is important. Some say it is the best consumer deck made but some folks say a lot of stuff about their own gear.

[Lodgesound]

Buy a B77 or an Otari MX55 - they are both by far the best value for domestic machines.

Beyond this you are into mastering machine territory which is often complex and physically large not to mention not being technically designed for home use.

[mikeyb]

Hi,

Thanks for all the info, it has given me plenty to research there are 1 or 2 B77's available so I'll read up on what I would need to get started.

Mike.

[Audio Al]

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=179235

[topoxforddoc]

Go for the Otari MX55 - you get 3 speeds 3.75. 7.5 & 15 IPS, unlike the B77 with has separate low speed 3.75 & 7.5 and high speed variants 7.5 & 15 IPS.

[Ali Tait]

If you can find one in the UK, a Tandberg TDA20SE is probably one of the best value - about £400 in good condition, perhaps less. The 'SE' is important. Some say it is the best consumer deck made but some folks say a lot of stuff about their own gear.

Mine is not the SE version but is a great sounding deck nontheless IMO. And it only cost me £175.

[Spectral Morn]

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=179235

Thats a nice option, but knowing which version, dolby or not would be helpful. The fact Brian Reeves serviced it is a big +. I have a BR serviced A77 mk3 Dolby, nice machine. However r2r prices seem to be going up :(

[shane]

Don't bother with Dolby. Hiss isn't really a problem.

[Ali Tait]

Mine is silent, don't get any hiss at all.

[Spectral Morn]

Don't bother with Dolby. Hiss isn't really a problem.

I don't disagree but a nice, well looked after or BR serviced one with Dolby should not be avoided because it has Dolby, which one can use or not, as the case may be.

[337alant]

Id go for a Tascam BR20 or the Otari MX55 both great machines and were the later production of R2Rs, if you are conidering the revox I would also consider the Revox PR99 MK1,2,3.

Alan

[mikeyb]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I have a few in my eBay watchlist, was offered a PR99 Mark III the other day but the volume input was preset and couldn't be changed so I passed on it, I might be putting the purchase of an R2R on hold as my wife might be relenting and letting me look at floorstanders to replace my PMC standmounts ;)

Mike.