Revox B795 Linear tracking record player. Full service, alignment.
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- čas přidán 23. 01. 2016
- Revox B795 Linear tracking record player. (Early 1980s)
Full repair and service, with cartridge alignment.
Shure V15 Mk3 cartridge.
Explanation of linear tracking and setup.
Sound check at the end. - Věda a technologie
An excellent presentation indeed. After all these decades, I finally see how this marvel of engineering works. Thank You
Thank you Nick, very clear instructions & great informative tutorial video. I'v always wanted to get one of these turntables but to me they seemed shrouded in mystery and complicated design but not so, thanks to you!
Thanks for this excellent tutorial Nick! My 791 just died and this gives me all the info needed to execute the repair. While in there, I might replace all those old Frakos too. They have a pretty bad reputation in other Revox gear, like their tape decks and receivers. Again thanks for taking the time to produce and post!
Thanks Nick, this was very helpful for me, i bought a B795 today and it dit need some maintenance, thanks to you it worked out fine
Fantastic video. Very informative. I’ve owned my b790 since I was in college in the early ‘80’s. I feel like I understand the table so much better now! Thanks for all your effort in putting this together!
Hi Edvins. Thank you for the kind feedback. All the best spinning and stay safe. Nick
I remember when Revox branched out into Hi Fi components and this was one of several components you could buy.
I had seen the product and had a customer asked me to buy a complete system including the Amplifier, Tuner and Cassette deck.
It was a lot of money in the day and I only sold one system. The textured paint worried me a little because it was sos easily damaged other than that it was a very well engineered system and repairable.
Thanks for the Video Nick it brings back my memories of my time in the Hi Fi trade.
Hi Jeremy. Yes good memories. The textured finish did not age well and was easily marked/stained. Some of the electronics does fail over time, but the engineering is impressive. All the best Nick.
Hi Nick! This video is simply brilliant. It already helped me to fix a B795 with a blown power supply. I had the problem with the cartridge moving to the left when lowering the tone arm too. For me it turned out that the balance weight was not aligned correct, which lead the cartridge to wobble a little when moving down. Just purchased a B791 in Italy for restoration with probably the same issue as it doesn't power up. So I guess I'll come back to your video watching it over and over again :)))) Thanks for this great summary and saving all of us from painful mistakes and errors! Take care and kind regards from Vienna, Austria, Alex .....oh and I need of of these blank disks!
Hi. You did well. Thanks for the feedback. All the best, Nick
Really informative and clear production. Thanks.
I know how to do the basic maintenance on the b790. I raised 2 of them from the dead. Only the alignment is something that i really don't understand with this machine. And thats the reason that I never was able to replace the cartridge for another one. This video is excellent.
Hi Peter
Thank you, makes it worthwhile doing it.
Keep spinning
nick
Excellent job mate.
Appreciate your uploads. I had the same problem with the ""RIFA"" cap.
Cheers! :)
Thank You for the quality advise and good video, .........................yes Nextel goes sticky after some decades.
I still like the V15III type cartridge, way more balanced than many ....problem is genuine needles are obsolete, new reproduction needles are different sounding and different quality.
Mine came with an AKG cartridge.............maybe i will install Nagaoka or Grado...
I have now become the owner of such a machine. I'm therefore grateful for the video! Thank You!
I share your pleasure ..................
If this can help you when you need to do an overhaul...
www.revox-online-shop.de/epages/64512991.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64512991/Categories/Reparatursaetze/Saetze_fuer_Revox_B795
Sound nice revox is the best out there even on tape deck they sound good good job you did bro
I’ve owned one of these beauties since 1979-80 when I bought it new. I originally used it for my quadraphonic system
Very good documentary and plenty of information.I love you to do documentary on the Technics linear tracking turntable SL - 10 with the moving coil pre - amplifier.
Hi Kevin
I have done 2 videos on the Technics SL-10
czcams.com/video/jwP37kYzCUw/video.html
czcams.com/video/erqhS8KotgI/video.html
Really nice job. Thanks for the video 😎👍
Wonderful wonderful video record.
Very Nice vidéo. I learnded what i was looking for.
Thank you very much
hvala na velikoj pompoci !
Hi Stevan
I do not know what pompoci means.
I hope it is not pompous, as I try and give the information as I find it.
All the best
nick
Great video, many thanks! I have this turntable, but have a problem adjusting pressure as the needle weight is fine at beginning of the record, but pushing the cartridge fully on record towards the end. I do not see any option to adjust this..
Many thanks Nick
Very informative - I have just open my B795 in the UK having owned it from new in Ct/USA - I bought an inverter - 240/110 and when I powered it up I got a humming noise !! and the turntable moved a little - so disappointed as it worked perfectly when in the US - any suggestions ?
Great video and very helpful, but my B790 is different - Mk.1 with a bigger motor.
The turntable comes apart in a different way, as described in the handbook.
I also think the pcbs are different, but I have only just opened it to replace the Rifa.
Will be replacing the electrolytics in the PSU board while I am there.
Is there any gain in increasing their value?
Thank you again.
Never thought I would see this.Great video explains what happened to my B790 about tn years ago. Had it new since 78/79.my local hifi shop fitted a new cartridge to it around 84 and from then on it never sounded right, the cart just used to fall onto the record and it tracked too heavy. Then ten years ago it let out a huge puff of smoke and it's been sitting under a table ever since.
Would love to get it going again and was thinking of buying a cheap TT to play my records again. I'll show this to some people I know and maybe give it a go or get a decent electrician to help.
Hi
Yes, the power supply is an easy fix.
The tracking weight is a fiddle, but worth it.
These are lovely sounding decks.
Keep on spinning.
Many thanks. Would an OM Blue be a good match and where did you find the literature and tech sheets if its ok to ask.
Hi
The manuals are here:
www.vinylengine.com/library/revox/b795.shtml
Cheers Nick. it's going, turned drive cord around, sounds a bit jerky so need to clean tracking bars.
Hello Nick.Ho appena acquistato un vecchio B790.Il tuo video tutorial è stato molto utile per regolare il peso sulla puntina.
Il manuale Revox indicava la vite per la regolazione, ma non era molto chiaro su come eseguire la regolazione.
Possedevo un ottimo Thorens, ma la lettura tangenziale mi ha fatto apprezzare la qualità del suono.Ottimo il sistema di
smorzamento del piatto.
Grazie ancora.
Joe
Ciao Joe
Sono felice che tu abbia un buon B795 ora.
Grazie e stai al sicuro. tacca. Nick
Nick, one small question. I adjusted the lowering distance of the needle like you explained in this video. Right above the inner ridge on the mat. The only thing that isn't working is the safety function. So when there's no record on the player the needle should lower itself en then pop up when it's not "detecting" a record. Or is this something the b790 does not have?
Hello,
Thanks for all the information, I'm just about to recieve mine in quite mint condition. Will look for the alignement at least and your video could be very useful
+akronyme
Hi
The alignment of the cartridge was most difficult, to get the LEDs aligned and to get the tracking weight. (Which was set incorrect on mine).
The operating string was a problem until I turned it around.
Yours should sound excellent.
Nick
+Nick Adams Seems that I've got the exact same problem on my needle :( after testing a while, the sounds got worse and I stopped the TT immediatly. After carefully looking, the diamond at the stylu tip was not aligned. Try to see better and it drops... Will try with an ortofon om5E (compliant just enough) just waiting for a new stylus...
How do I just the tracking weight? Some records it plays fine and some it gets stuck in a loop on the grove.
Hello Nick,
I followed your suggestions and my Revox is working great! When does anyone who can make money by repairing things, tell someone how to do it themselves? Although a lot of your repair suggestions are too difficult for me, your simple DIY suggestions did the trick. My power button is all the way to the right so I don't know what model I have but they are , I think, pretty much the same. Thank you for all your help. Joe
Hi Joe
Thanks for the feedback.
Good to know that it helps out
All the best
nick
HI YOUR VIDEO VERY USEFULL FOR ME THANKS
Thank you very much for this Video. Do you know where I can get that service manual you showed in the Video? Thanks. Chris
1st Class Job.
Nifty. I was wondering at first, if maybe the optical sensor in the cartridge mount might not be working properly because there was too much light, as the top cover wasn’t on, but I guess it was a misalignment issue. Good work.
Where I can find that draw used to align the cart?
Nice video, have a like. I just one of these. Nice bit of kit. Only issue at the moment is that the arm on the return doesn't quite actuate the microswitch that shuts off the linear tracking motor. You can push it to actuate with the tonearm lid off or press the right movement button a few times.
Update. The rifa capacitor went up in smoke today!
When this series was introduced the rep for Revox / Studer described the paint as a suede finish. I had doubts to it's durability and time showed that it became shiny very quickly. I like the uncluttered simplicity inside but fitting a new cartridge and setting it up was always a bit of a pain. One other issue was sometimes people would try to lift up the turnable by grabbing the arm.
I always felt the arm system whilst it looked good was it's weakest link.
I did sell one complete system of Amp Tuner Turntable and a B77 to one customer who asked for a discount. During the days of retail price maintenance the company told us not to discount the product under any circumstances.
I gave the customer 15% discount for the entire system.
Whilst having the advantage of a wider choice of cartridges on the B795 I much preferred the Technics Linear track system and there was a good choice of TP4 cartridges available.
Hi Jeremy
I agree, the cartridge is difficult to change and adjust the playing weight.
But I do find the deck sounds nice.
I is a shame that there are no CZcams approved albums that can be played on these Linear Tracking Turntables although I have heard the track "What a feeling" played by a guy from Athens who has that very same unit, Ortaphone stylus should work, I love that album which is called "The Night Fly" by Donald Fagin is there 4 tracks on side I and 4 on side 2?
Have a drink every time he says um or err 🍻
Brilliant !
Hey Nick, thanks for the extremely informative video! Quick question from a newbie: How tricky is a cartridge swap? Assuming the arm alignment is alright, is it as simple as removing the two screws and swapping the cart, or is that wishful thinking? Do I have to remove the cover? I don’t suppose you have a video for that process? Thanks very much in advance!
Hey Nick. I saw your reply to a recent comment but not to mine. :( Do you happen to have any tips on a cartridge swap? Thanks! -S.
Big fan of Nick’s work & can’t believe he passed away & RIP.
I wanted to ask his opinion on what TT you would go for out of these 3 options;
• JVC Victor QL-Y5 $675 (full price)
• Technics SL-15 w/ SHURE V15V-P $1900 or $1200 without cartridge (full price)
What makes me interested in this table above all else is that you can program it to play on the tracks that you want played on sides a, b etc.
• ReVox B795 with Sumiko Pearl MM phono cartridge; $1495 without taxes / shipping included
What is the best deal & what is the best of the 3 performance wise in your opinion;
For the price & what I’m looking for with a TT that has features so I don’t touch tone arm obviously JVC is cheaper but was curious if it’s worth the extra cash investing in the other turntables; definitely would consider if they outperform the JVC, love your thoughts & I like that JVC runs on magnets.
Anyone else have opinion please share & thank you
As with all electronics, they do work on smoke. If the smoke gets out, they don't work anymore.
Hi Johhny
Good point.
Keep smoking the good stuff.
Don't let it out.
My new old Revox B790 use to be my brothers and wasn't used by him for ......26 years. First thing that happened after bringing it alive was...... Smoke getting from inside the Revox and melting of the fuse. Removing the RIFA-capacitor helped but the Revox had skipping on the first track(s) of a record. Reason was the black cover on the cable-channel inside the carriage that was pulled up on the right side. It now works well butt sometimes it stops and returns slowly to the rest-position. I think it might be the capacitors that should be replaced.
Hi, Thanks for the info. It all helps us get them working.
Hi Nick. Great video, thank you. I have a B795 and the motor is not turning. I can turn the spindle by hand so it’s not jammed, but when I turn it on it starts to turn and then stops as if it is being held back. Is this likely to be the motor assembly, or the circuitry that’s driving it? Cheers.
Hi Craig. More likely the electronic board. You will need the circuit diagram. Also, make sure all connectors are good, by unplugging then plug back in, to clean them up.
uh uh uh...Never remove the Tonearm bridge from the chassis and do not fiddle on the screws on top of the tonearm! The Pick-up system can be fixed easily if you move the tonearm on a 2/3 position of it's way, turm mains off and then swing the whole bridge to the right that the bridge is free, turn the complete turntable upside down, place some books under the empty sidei so the bridge can be operated from it's downside. There is a kit on the internet available (REVOX Linatrack Montage Kit) with counterweights in bronce & lead and different spacer plates and screws and an alignment help. But never unscrew the linatrack mechanism on top of the tonearm or the tonearm from the chassis. The pick-up system should be one with a high compliance and a normal (standard) measurement between stylus tip and mounting holes for the screws to fix the system to the arm. Therefore a moving magnet system is fine...like an Ortofon vinyl master or a Clearaudio. For adjustment of tracking force the old Shure SFG 2 gauge is nice because it has a long groove in which the stylus can slide to the final position untill it is completely lowered down
A genuinely interesting video. I must ask however, do you, or did you teach somewhere? Your cadence makes me curious.
Hello Nick,
I have a question about the Audio Technica AT-LP120BK i just purchased. It has a AT95E stylus that came with the unit. I set up everything according to the manual and with the help of all information on line. When i lower the stylus with the lowering mechanism, the needle slides to the left, sometimes creating a pop. I think it is the anti skating but I don't want to set it to a point that is not recommended. What do you think?
Thanks
Hi Joe
At 2gm playing weight, the anti skating could be pulling too much, especially if the lowering damping is very slow.
I would back off the anti skating until it stops. It will not mess with the sound or damage the record.
Thanks Nick.
Ni Nick,
Revox still going great!
I purchased my turntable about 10 years ago and it has been sitting without use until last year. I am now, as you know, getting back into vinyl. The vinyls sound great to me. I am sure i don't have a professional ear but they sound great. My question... I have heard that just age itself can make it necessary to need a stylus change. Is that true? I have no idea how many hours were on this unit before I purchased it. If I think it sounds good, is that enough? I looked in the manual for this unit and they recommend a professional change the stylus when needed. I can see that the stylus is a Grado from the front but I cant tell witch one. It is gray and white if that says anything. I know it is a good stylus because the person that had this Revox had an expensive system. I purchased his Sequerra Pyramid speakers too. Any thoughts?
Thanks as always
Joe
Hi Joe
Your ears are all you need.
I have cartridges with a lot of use and they still sound great, so it does not worry me.
Some old stylus lose their tips when the glue dries out so much they fall off when you clean them with a brush.
Some very old cartridges have materials which deteriate with time, and connections can corrode.
But if they work and the record sounds nice, that's good enough for me.
Keep spinning
nick
Thanks Nick.
I have a problem with mine, sometimes it works and suddenly stop. Than it can start again efter trying for some minutes, do hae a clue of what can be wrong. Nice to hear Donald, have all LP:s with Steely Dan plus Fagen and Becker
Hi
Does the power go off?
Or does it stop spinning?
Or does the cartridge not lower?
Depending on what is happening it could just be bad contacts on a connector.
Or it could be a failing component or soldered joint on the power supply.
Let me have more information:
nick@demonproducts.co.uk
Hi Nick
Trying to correct my B795 tracking error (it’s out way more than the 3mm tolerance) and am struggling with the ‘eccentric pin’ at the base of the tone arm, cant get it to move at all using the 1.5mm rod. In the service manual it just states that it should be twisted but not sure in which direction! Any advice would be greatly received!
Thanks
Hi. That pin is very difficult to rotate. It will go all the way around, so will move one way, then will move to the other side.
Hi, I was thinking about updating the RCA plugs' chord, as you mentionned, what would you recommend and how would you do it ?
Thanks a lot
Hi
You could fit sockets in the back lower case. There is room to drill holes.
Or you could get your new cable, cut off the plugs at one end, and solder to the circuit board in place of the originals.
Elim! Nice to meet you! Pleas respond me on facebook, i tryed to add to friendlist or write me point-of-turn@mail.ru - we are far relatives from Vorontsov side. I live in Saint-Petersburg and about same age like you. I am member of Vorontsov sosiety. So...Why not to add my))
rifa went bang in my 295 here, damn thing just kept going! they are the achilles' heel of a lot of revox gear, & the cause of many ebay bargains. 🙂
Nick adams, could you tell me what the specs of the PTC's in the powersupply are? The service manual of the B790 said only "3.8". Is that 3.8 ohm at 25 degrees Celsius? I removed them, rewired the transformer to 230V instead of 220V. This resolved the fluctuating RPM problem. On the other hand revox placed them there for thermal safety reasons....
Hi Peter
PTC's are like fuses and should be invisible until something goes wrong.
I am not sure why they need them, unless it was to protect the unit if a 110V unit was plugged into a 230V supply.
If a PTC has gone open circuit, then it is either an age failure or a bad overload fault.
If the circuit is working perfectly , they can be bypassed.
The rating is the cold resistance (The circuit shows 2.3ohm), but the overload switching point would normally be twice the maximum normal operating load. (say 0.5amp mormal and 1amp overload)
In this case I would fit a normal sized round flat one the same size (2.3ohm).
Or just remove and bypass, as you have done.
Glad you have it working.
Keep spinning
nick
Thank you very much for the reply! Only two quirks to go. 1. the platter doesn't spin up when I put the arm over it. platter only spins up when I push the up/down button. When I put it in up position while the platter is spinning and rotate the arm 90 degrees back in rest mode, then it does stop. I think that the microswitch in the base of the arm if functional, otherwise it wouldn't stop.
2. the platter is not spinning at exactly 3333. the last digit goes from 3 to 4 and back. Also I hear the typical whining sound during playback from the motor adjusting the speed continously. Its the same whine that you hear briefly when spinning op. Could this be the negative voltage from the power supply? The service manual says that it uses a negative current for braking. Sorry for al the questions, but I feel i'm almost there and don't want to ruin it with my incompetence ;)
I think the power supply is ok. 23,8V on the red wires Ground is OK Green is 6V only blue is -5,7 which is .5 of tolerance according to the manual (maximum should be +/- .25V)
Problem 1 is solved. Turned out to be a faulty microswitch in the base of the arm. yellow and black of the tone arm connector are in closed circuit when the arm is in resting position. When you swing the arm over the record the circuit is opened by the microswitch and the motor control board knows it must motor the motor. Only one problem left :)
Hi
ok, I thought it must be the microswitch, but thought that was checked earlier.
The speed variation (hunting) is more difficult.
It relies on frequency generation and a feedback loop.
I wouldn't think the power supply is at fault.
And the braking only applies when the platter is switched to off.
Make sure all connections are good, by unpluggin and replugging to the board a few times to clean the pins.
Thank you very much for all the help! Turned out to be a faulty opamp on the motorcontrol board. Last thing to do is order a new transport wire for the arm. Last owner replaced it with a standard piece of wire :P I temporary replaced it with the wire from my other fully functional b790, and that did the trick. Keep up the good work!
I have a Sony linear turntable with similar mechanism, but only plays with audio on the right speaker. Any suggestions?
Hi Ronald. The audio path is a simple wire from cartridge to phono lead. So there must be a break in the wire somewhere. (Assuming the input to the amp is alright. Swap the inputs to check).
If you can, swap the left and right wires that connect to the cartridge, to make sure that is working . Then trace the wire from there to the phono, swapping left to right if you can.
Excellent and thorough work and narrative. Logical and calm technician here. I have owned several of these and the first and best model B790. Just fixed my current 790 where the cartridge would suddenly and randomly would lift up and return. Turned out to be an adjustment of one of the potentiometers of the arm control board. Took me quite a while to finally sort that annoying problem out. These are NOT beginners tables! You need to have a lot of experience working on TTs if you are going to work on one. There are a lot of common problems on these. The lids crack at the fastenings, or the body cracks where the hinge mechanism is due to very high spring tension. To align the cartridge can be a nightmare. In sum, if you're not an experienced TT collector having lots of experience in manu different tables you'd better stay away......
Hi Matt. Thanks for the feedback. I agree, especially if you replace the cartridge. All the best spinning. Nick
@@nickadams5411 I have a B790 that is doing this right now. I have played around with the two adjustment screws but nothing seems to make the tracking consistent.
Hey Nick, very informative! I've experienced the smoking "death capacitor" and wonder if you could provide the exact replacement specs. Thanks!
Hi. Not sure of the make, it says "CQC", but it is 0.33uf at 275AC working, and was the right size. All the best. Nick
@@nickadams5411 Thanks, Nick!
Liquids are never recommended for stylus cleaning (only in rare cases when they are not bonded like the shure V15s) the brush on the other hand is fine. Nice Video by the way!
To enlarge on my comment, if you have a test record with a 400 Hz or a 1KHz tone on it and a distortion analyzer, feed the output of your phono preamp into the distortion analyzer and starting at two grams, check the distortion at 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4 grams, etc, and notice how it climbs with each reduction in tracking force. This is the best way to determine the optimum tracking force for ANY cartridge. You then increase the force until you get the lowest distortion reading, and that’s your optimum. No need to go higher as the distortion stops going lower as you increase stylus pressure at that point. I’ve heard you can do this with a ‘scope, but I’ve never tried that method. Good luck.
Hi Nick,
Is there any info on changing a stylus on a Revox turntable?
Hi Joe
I could not find anything on line, but the video shows the cartridge removed.
However there is a Cartridge compatability chart, with the spacer weights.
But, I suggest you set the playing weight as in the video, as it is possible to get it way out, if not careful.
The chart is a free download on this site:
www.vinylengine.com/library/revox/b795.shtml
Hi Nick, Where are you located? I will not be doing this right away but this unit has not been serviced in years. I might like the unit serviced and the stylus replace in the not to distant future. I have more faith in your services then I would in a local repair center. How would we discuss your services?
Thank You
Joe
Hi Joe
I am at Aldershot, hampshire, UK.
Contact me on: nick@demonproducts.co.uk
I have not used my Revox for about a year. When I put the arm over, the turntable moves a very small bit but wont turn. Then the next time the turn table started working and then when I trued it again, it would not turn. Maybe a good cleaning? Any idea for me. Thanks. Joe
Hi Joe
It could be the switch which operates the turntable, which needs a blast of switch cleaner.
Or it could be a failure of the power supply, but that normally fails completely, making the turntable dead. (The supply is fairly easy to repair.)
Try the switch first by moving the arm back and forwards several times to see if it cleans up naturally.
Nick
Hello Nick,
I am very handy so I will look to see how to get the cover off the stylus assembly (if that is where the switch is) and give it a spray of electrical cleaner. I would be very grateful to you to try repair this unit with your help but time is money so if all else fails, I would be happy to send the unit to you for repair if you do that. BTW, thanks for your help. I can send you my email and phone if you need it.
Joe
Hello again Nick, Can you send me any paperwork for my Revox? I would be glad to purchase it. Do I need the exact model #?
Hi Joe
The Service documents are available, free, on the vinylengine.com site.
www.vinylengine.com/library/revox/b795.shtml
Register and download them.
Hi Joe
The microswitches are easily accessed by removing the arm cover.
The on/off one is at the bottom of the main pivot part.
The cables that plug into the circuit boards may need unplugging and plug back in to make sure they are good contacts.
You can check the voltages from the power supply.
You can send to me if you have no success.
All the best
nick
Nick the three bolts that came out were originally transit bolts, are they meant to be removed so the deck has better isolation?
Hi
You loosen the screws until the deck becomes suspended on the internal support springs. so that you can push the table up and down without it hitting the transit screws.
If the table doesnot flot level on the internal springs, the pressure can be adjusted by the screws underneath the unit that go up through the springs.
Cheers, mine floats on all four springs. Just couldn't work out if they were meant to be removed. Next job is it plays but the cart is an old Rega that I never liked, but finding a new high compliance one isn't easy.
Cheers Nick. it floats fine just wondered if they should be left in. Next job new cartridge but finding a high compliance one seems hard.
Hi Nick, do you know what I can do about the transformer? After 20 minutes it starts buzzing, After 30 it's so loud that it sounds like the thing is going to explode and it has to be turned off. Thanks.
Hi
After switching off (and disconnect from the wallAC), feel the transformer and see how hot it is.
If more than warm, then it could have developed a winding fault, or the circuit is drawing heavy current, which is overloading it.
After disconnecting from the AC (when still hot), feel all the components on the power supply board and see if any are hot, as there could be a failure there.
Also feel the capacitors across the AC near the transformer, as they often fail, and could be hot and just about to blow.
still have it with a B series system my father bought when released with a extra pair of huge studer speakers, later he bought one more deck the B215 and the CD player this in the 80´s, this turntable if working correctelly i have to say it´s perfect, but i have also in use the 79 SL-1000MKII with a technics MC cartridge and it´s pre (similar referencies)has we lived 800KM´s to a hi-fi shop when driving there we used to buy eachother stylus to our turntables cartridges ,the reason why today i still have new stylus from late 70´s cartridges, my Revox had always a Ortofon cartridge in the inside the rectangular box that rotates to the top of the record, this brand used to have great cartridges ,today i think the worst cartridge i ever heard is the 2MRED from Ortofon, it´s sad to see this brands go to the bottom of quality and today cartridges are also not like older ones as the stylus as 1/4 of the regular stylus size also 1/3 of the hours of use, this to not refer the prices asked , agod cartridge was always expensive but today are incredible expensive and the quality is not a improvement but a decrease in general, some new AT cartridges surprised me in a positive way this refering to the MC type, the AT-ART7 is one of them the AT-ART1000 is very nice but price wise it´s incredible, i think i´ll never spend 5.000€ in a cartridge as i still have some 70´s cartridges working perfect and have still original stylus to substitute, and i´m not getting younger , nice videos you have ,it´s subscribed , thank you and regards
Hi Nick, did you know there is a Original alignment record for these B790-791-795 record players? It has a blue label with ReVox on it.. i worked, many years ago, at the ReVox Importer in the Netherlands, as a parts and service engineer..
Hi Mart. Thanks for the info. Where can I get one?
Sorry you can't… (as far as i know..) I've got one.. it's in my (small) record collection..
Hello again Nick, Revox still working great. I would like your opinion on a different matter.
I have a Audio Technica AT-LP120BK. It has a AT95E stylus.
What stylus would you recommend when it comes time to replace the AT95E to hear a noticeable inprovment in sound quality.
Thank you
Joe
Hi Joe.
That is a big can of worms, as everyone will have a different opinion.
It also depends on how much you are willing to spend and whether you want new or pre-owned.
Also how serious you are when listening.
My Shure V15 Mk3 with the SAS stylus sounds very nice.
My Audio Technica SLT 96E sounds fine to me.
The best cartridge I own is the Pickering XLZ-4500, but no longer made.
Also I have an AudioTechnica AT-OC3 MC. But again is an old cartridge, but fantastic sound.
I think MC have the edge, but I am not an expert and so am not the best person to ask.
Keep spinning
nick
Thanks Nick, I have a lot to learn. You have been very helpful. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Try a Nagaoka MP110.
Nice video on explaining this mysterious machine. The thing, other than this machine is way too complicated, that bothers me is the fact you say it uses the record grove to pull the stylus. Obviously with a 2-point optical reference the servo motor seeks to minimize this, yet without some groove pull there is nothing for the servo to reference to. This would seem to invite some inherent minuscule groove distortion akin to a conventional tone arm, maybe a bit worse if the conventional arm was adjusted very accurately for anti-skating? So, if you aren't eliminating all possible groove related distortion is there any compelling reason for the ReVox linear tracker? Just the upkeep of this machine would seem to be a looming nightmare not entirely worth the benefit.
Hi John
I agree.
Linear trackers are very good consumer players, as the fragile cartridge is protected from rough handling , and is generally robust.
However, they all rely on a stepper motor keeping up with the movement of the stylus in the groove and so must introduce some sort of varying side loads on the stylus.
The mechanism relies on very smooth tracking, and any sticking or jerks of the drive will cause a problem.
Does this make any audible distortion?
For the consumer I don't think any will be discernible.
However for the professional , the standard arm design is preferable, except for the angular distortion as the arm moves to the centre.
Failure to un mute: found relay not activating when stlyus lowered. Due to C1, a 22uf 16 v tantalum located near connector on the logic board. It is the only green tant located near the relay control section. The base of relay driver transistor BC 327 was being held to emitter potential because of this cap not totally blocking the + 24v on its positive side. Hope this spares someone the hours I spent finding this fault.
Originally this unit was almost dead....found a 2200 uf 16v cap on p/s board dead shorted. Changed all of this brand.
Nick. 1.2 grams is WAY too light for that cartridge. Having had several V-15 III’s in my time, I can tell you that tracking that light is a great way to ruin your records. People have the misconception that tracking too heavy will wear both stylus and record too quickly. While that’s certainly true, tracking with insufficient force is even more damaging.with insufficient stylus pressure the stylus does not make good contact with the sides of the groove. This causes the stylus to skitter around, careening from wall to wall gouging out tiny chunks of the groove wall. Even though Shure always maintained that the V15s were super trackers, their recommendations for these light tracking forces has damaged more than a few record collections. Rule of thumb for most modern cartridges is that the ideal tracking force is between 1.75 and 2.25 grams unless the cartridge manufacturer recommends heavier. The best compromise is 2.00 grams for almost all modern cartridges. It’s light enough to preserve your vinyl records for many years and heavy enough to maintain adequate and equal pressure of stylus force on both sides of the groove in order to maintain proper tracking under all dynamic conditions.
Hi George. Thanks for your informative feedback. All the best Nick
Sorry. RIP Nick.
I’d have changed out the tants on the control boards.
Muito caro, bonitinho, e ordinário. Sempre deu defeito.
ksksos
That old rifa caps are junk, all such has to go, they are bad.