Just Won a Revox PR99 Mk3

[337alant]

Been looking for a Revox PR99 Mk3 for a long time and they do fetch very high prices.
Just managed to win this one on ebay sold as not working for parts and looks pretty beat up but the good news is everything is fixable on these machines and I already have some spare parts :eyebrows:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Revox-PR99-PR-99-PR-99-Mk3-Reel-to-Reel-Stereo-Tape-Recorder-Used/293453082590?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649



Alan

[Ali Tait]

Nice Alan, let us know how you get on. Daresay this will be a great sounding machine once you've finished with it.

[337alant]

Hi Ali
It will be interesting to compare all the models of the PR99 range and B77 together when I get them all finished, I do have high hopes for the MK3 as it was there last model in the series and has some mods that should be an improvement over the others but you never know?.
This particular model looks like a playback only model but it is actually a record at line level only model so has no adjustment on the levels other than how you calibrate the machine, theoretically this is better than adjustable pots and I have fornd that a +4dB line level is usually fine with most sources.

I'm already working on a B77, PR99mk1, PR99 mk2 but unfortunately my day job is getting in the way of the progress
Ill post my progress on bringing this back to life when I can
Alan

[Jimbo]

Well done Alan! That will be a nice project to get your teeth into?

[Made in 1968]

Been looking for a Revox PR99 Mk3 for a long time and they do fetch very high prices.
Just managed to win this one on ebay sold as not working for parts and looks pretty beat up but the good news is everything is fixable on these machines and I already have some spare parts :eyebrows:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Revox-PR99-PR-99-PR-99-Mk3-Reel-to-Reel-Stereo-Tape-Recorder-Used/293453082590?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649



Alan

They are expensive cos of the digital tape counter.. I still prefer the all silver Mk.1, I only paid £75 for my Mk.1, that was 20 years ago tho lol. Still prefer the Tascam 'BR-20'

[337alant]

I also love the BR20 but the Revox's also have a great sound lovely weighty bottom end.
Between the PR99 MK1,2,3 I dont think there will be a great difference,Swings and rounder bouts in the 3 of them, the B77 mk2 has the potential to be the best with is simplicity
The PR99 Mk3 has the best functionality with its digital counter, in the model I have they have done away with switches and pots in the signal path so that is a good thing
Ill do a comparison when I get them all working and calibrated.
A minor issue is my MK1 & 2 has NAB EQ and the MK 3 has IEC so Im going to try to convert them all to IEC as I prefer that

Alan

[topoxforddoc]

Alan, look forward to seeing its arrival and its restoration :)

[337alant]

Alan, look forward to seeing its arrival and its restoration :)

Thanks Charlie I will certainly post my progress when I get time to start this project

Alan

[MikeMusic]

Nice !
I love tape decks. That is lovely

Keep us updated

[337alant]

Well its arrived and the bad news is its pretty beat up, looks like its been dropped at some time and the heads are 90% worn
The good news is I have a new set of heads coming and I can fix the rest :eyebrows:
One day it will look like this, I hope :D

https://www.bazos.sk/img/1/661/107695661.jpg?t=1582021018

Alan

[337alant]

Well it lives and sounds superb with a tape I made on my studer A810 :eyebrows:

I bought this machine sold for parts not working, it was an ex BBC machine and is covered in cutting marks, when I got it home it was obvious that this machine had also been dropped by the dents in the outer casing and internally the transformer mounting was distorted and boards were dislodged. the Rifa caps had been smoking and a fuse had gone and a bridge rectifier was short.
So I rebuilt the power supply, capstan motor and tape drive control board, straighten up the outer casing and transformer with a little panel beating.
Switched it on and it worked, FF & RW were slow so I changed all 3 motor run caps and its fine now.
So far I have recapped the playback and output and locator board's.
Still have the Input, record and oscillator board to overall.
If anyone has a good lower front panel for a PR99 Mk3 I would be interested in buying it.
This is a keeper and great sounding machine

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49722083926_e2fb55d808_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iKLFg5)Revox PR-99 mk3 (https://flic.kr/p/2iKLFg5) by Alan Towell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/69508926@N05/), on Flickr

[Made in 1968]

Very Nice