ReVox A700

[el'dahid]

Hi!

Earlier I asked a couple of questions according to an Tascam 38 and I was really pleased with answers I got. But I didn´t buy that recorder becouse I found a Revox A700 in my hometown in Sweden for only $100!!! That´s just too cheap to resist and it's working well too!

But there is one problem. The "reels" are missing (don't know what they're called in english, NABs? I mean the "wheels"). Is there anyone who knows where to find a pair of reels that fits with a ReVox A700? Is it the same as to the A77 or B77? How much would they cost?

As You probably figured I'm not that familiar with reel to reel recording but I would be greatly thankful for your advice!!!

 

[N7SC]

I don't know of any suppliers that are in Sweden, but eBay is a good starting place. There are a few individuals who sell both the adapters and reels for the Revox machines who are located in Germany or Switzerland. Search eBay using the term "revox."

If you need the NAB adapters, you can probably find them in Europe at relatively reasonable prices. The NAB adapters are the devices that fit on the machine's small diameter spindles, and allow you to use the NAB style reels with the large diameter mounting hole. You can expect to pay between $35 and $60 (USD) for a pair of these. If you insist on the aluminum grip for the NAB adapters, which even I have to admit looks really great on the A700, you can add up to $120 USD for those.

The "reels" are the 10.5 inch diameter things that hold the tape. If you need reels, you only really (reely?) need one empty one, to use as a take-up reel. I suggest a "precision" reel, the ones with the machined metal hub and flanges, and six screws. If you need tape, the only recording tape being made and sold right now is made by Quantegy in Alabama, USA. But, that is about to change. An outfit called RMG in the Netherlands actually has the old, and much beloved BASF/Agfa/Emtec formulas back in production, and their US distributor says that we should see 911 and LPR-35 in stock at dealers by early January. 900 should be in dealers by February. And, ATR Magnetics in Pennsylvania, US is getting ready to send out the first beta-test reels, with full production and shipment of their Mastering Tape by the end of March. Dealers all over the world carry the Quantegy tape, and RMG is near you, so . . . their website is: www.rmgi.nl They have contact info there.

Enjoy your new reel-to-reel, I think you might wind up amazed at how good the old Revoxes still sound after some 25 to 30 years. Don't forget to stock up on cleaning supplies, as the tape path should be cleaned regularly. And, you will need a good demagnetizer too. Check out the US Recording Media website, www.usrecordingmedia.com Even though you probably won't order from them (tarriff's, customs duties, etc.) they share a lot of their expertise on their website. You can learn a lot there.