liemjerry Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 Hi friends anyone here use Revox PR-99 MK1 ? what if it compared with Revox B77 all variants (MK1,MK2,MK3), balanced i/o from PR99 vs unbalanced i/o from B77, is it result in sound quality, I hear the Op-Amps design is huge different between PR99 and B77 ? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Simonon Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) In regards to the difference between unbalanced and balanced output you will not hear a difference imo. The big factor with reel to reel is tape path wear e.g. how good are the heads and their effect on frequency response. This is where a professional machine versus a domestic one may make all the difference if the professional unit such as the PR-99 has had a hard life. Many reel to reel machines are now over 40 years old and the lightly used ones are now worth considerable money. Due to the resurgence in interest I have seen the availability of parts decrease markedly with the cost increasing. If I were looking for a Revox reel to reel I would bide my time and look for a seldom used B77 with little head wear. The high speed models e.g. 7.5/ 15 IPS units used professionally usually are worn out unless they have had a prior head replacement. The domestic B77 units have a better chance of being in good nick. The one true advantage of a Revox is the ability to get spares via Nagravox as most units will require a repair in some shape or form. Another factor is the price of tapes which is where I prefer a 4 track unit at 7.5ips as I find 2 track at 15ips cost prohibitive. The Revox PR-99 is a beautifully engineered unit but I would want to see and hear it before parting with my cash. I rebuilt a Revox A77 mk2 back to factory specs and even with my own labour found the cost of parts astronomical which is why a good unit cost so much. Reel to reel is an expensive hobby but their is nothing like it and the sound is wonderful if you find a good unit. New tapes and reels are available at http://www.casstape.com.au/ and they are great to deal with. Good luck with your search. Edited May 18, 2019 by Simonon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liemjerry Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 On 19/05/2019 at 6:16 AM, Simonon said: In regards to the difference between unbalanced and balanced output you will not hear a difference imo. The big factor with reel to reel is tape path wear e.g. how good are the heads and their effect on frequency response. This is where a professional machine versus a domestic one may make all the difference if the professional unit such as the PR-99 has had a hard life. Many reel to reel machines are now over 40 years old and the lightly used ones are now worth considerable money. Due to the resurgence in interest I have seen the availability of parts decrease markedly with the cost increasing. If I were looking for a Revox reel to reel I would bide my time and look for a seldom used B77 with little head wear. The high speed models e.g. 7.5/ 15 IPS units used professionally usually are worn out unless they have had a prior head replacement. The domestic B77 units have a better chance of being in good nick. The one true advantage of a Revox is the ability to get spares via Nagravox as most units will require a repair in some shape or form. Another factor is the price of tapes which is where I prefer a 4 track unit at 7.5ips as I find 2 track at 15ips cost prohibitive. The Revox PR-99 is a beautifully engineered unit but I would want to see and hear it before parting with my cash. I rebuilt a Revox A77 mk2 back to factory specs and even with my own labour found the cost of parts astronomical which is why a good unit cost so much. Reel to reel is an expensive hobby but their is nothing like it and the sound is wonderful if you find a good unit. New tapes and reels are available at http://www.casstape.com.au/ and they are great to deal with. Good luck with your search. so, in this time I have offer from my friend of Revox PR-99 MK1, which is in very beautiful condition both cosmetics, very mint, and the all the function working very well, The head condition is ok for it's age and have no problem with it. The offer is AUD1350, it comes with : unit, 1 pair of 10,5" reel no brand, 1 pair of NAB adapter Revox original, 1 pair of AES/EBU connector to RCA original from Revox, some 2 track, 15 LPS pre recorded tapes.. what do you think ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Simonon Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 so, in this time I have offer from my friend of Revox PR-99 MK1, which is in very beautiful condition both cosmetics, very mint, and the all the function working very well, The head condition is ok for it's age and have no problem with it. The offer is AUD1350, it comes with : unit, 1 pair of 10,5" reel no brand, 1 pair of NAB adapter Revox original, 1 pair of AES/EBU connector to RCA original from Revox, some 2 track, 15 LPS pre recorded tapes.. what do you think ? That sounds like a fair price. Let it warm up and test all functions. Try recording some music and playing it back, make sure the VU meters are working. Also make sure the reels stop on fast forward and rewind without tape spooling. Do you know the full history of the unit? as repairs are expensive. It sounds like a nice unit though. If you are in Sydney Nagravox can check it out and service it if necessary. The advantage with Revox is that spares are still available although relatively expensive. Good luck with it if you decide to purchase. Good ones are appreciating in value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liemjerry Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 9 minutes ago, Simonon said: 1 hour ago, liemjerry said: so, in this time I have offer from my friend of Revox PR-99 MK1, which is in very beautiful condition both cosmetics, very mint, and the all the function working very well, The head condition is ok for it's age and have no problem with it. The offer is AUD1350, it comes with : unit, 1 pair of 10,5" reel no brand, 1 pair of NAB adapter Revox original, 1 pair of AES/EBU connector to RCA original from Revox, some 2 track, 15 LPS pre recorded tapes.. what do you think ? That sounds like a fair price. Let it warm up and test all functions. Try recording some music and playing it back, make sure the VU meters are working. Also make sure the reels stop on fast forward and rewind without tape spooling. Do you know the full history of the unit? as repairs are expensive. It sounds like a nice unit though. If you are in Sydney Nagravox can check it out and service it if necessary. The advantage with Revox is that spares are still available although relatively expensive. Good luck with it if you decide to purchase. Good ones are appreciating in value. Yes, a few weeks ago, I have tried with my friend (seller) some songs from Ingram Washington, Nat King Cole, and sound amazing. Rewind, Fast Forward, Pause, Play are fine For recording function, my friend have tried and what we are hearing last weeks is the result of recording itself. 2 VU meters still working very well and well-balanced, L and R. one thing that I don't know was braking system, for example when we are fast forwarding/or rewinding and then we stop, the tape is still in good tension or not, we must check again, do you mean spooling as this condition? About the history, I don;t know and I did not ask, is this question important ? but I have some reports from my friend that have checked the inner condition also all function of This PR99 is all original parts and work very well without any issue, my friend is technician of reel to reel and turntable and I can trust him Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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