B77 MK III Stereo Tape Recorder - Alice Cooper Limited Edition

The B77 MK III is equipped with a three-motor direct drive and servo control.

The B77 MK III is equipped with a three-motor direct drive and servo control. Two reel motors bring the tape reels up to operating speed in the shortest possible time or brake them quickly, precisely, and sensitively. The reel motors are particularly powerful and robust. Thanks to increased starting voltage, they bring even heavy metal reels up to operating speed in seconds.
Due to the elaborately perfected technology of the regulated capstan motor, even hardly noticeable fluctuations in speed are compensated. The capstan shaft of the direct-drive capstan motor is considered a true masterpiece of precision mechanics. Its concentricity tolerance is one thousandth of a millimeter. Revox relies on the motor design proven for decades. For this, the capstan shafts are produced near the sound works in Villingen.

17 individual steps are required in the production of the high-precision capstan shaft.

Special capstan shaft 

For the new production of the capstan shaft, it was necessary to use and purchase a very special steel. Swiss Steel produced five tons of this special steel for the manufacture of the high-precision capstan shaft, which alone requires 17 work steps in production.

New pinch roller 

Together with the new pinch roller, which is made of light rubber, the capstan shaft moves the tape. Instead of conventional bearings, the roller is now guided by two ball bearings, which decisively improves the stability and precision of the drive.

Revox has decades of experience in manufacturing tape heads and has optimized this knowledge for various tape recorders. All tape heads, with their professional design, are developed in-house and manufactured to the highest quality according to proprietary processes. Revox tape recorders typically feature three tape heads: one playback head, one record head, and one erase head. This design enables, among other things, off-tape monitoring. The precision of the tape heads is crucial for recording and playback quality. The special alloy of the tape heads guarantees excellent magnetic properties and a long service life. The shape of the tape head mirror is designed for smooth frequency responses down to the lowest frequencies. Long pole pieces ensure a linear frequency response. The core package carrier of the heads is milled from solid material with the highest precision to achieve optimal uniformity of the respective track positions. The gap of the playback tape head measures only 2 µm (0.002 mm). The core packages are made of high-quality magnetic material with exceptionally high permeability and minimal losses. This achieves optimal signal-to-noise ratio and very low distortion. Compared to the B77 MK II, the new Revox B77 MK III uses improved tape heads in series production, offering a significantly extended service life. Revox has been working with the same European partners for decades to ensure the proven Revox quality. All this to ensure maximum longevity and sound quality.

The connection concept is suitable for both professional studio connections and private home systems:

• XLR IN/OUT
• Cinch / RCA via included adapters
• Switch for studio and home systems

Special feature XLR plugs: Known from studio and stage technology, XLR (External Live Return) connections are characterized by their robustness, reliability, and interference-free signal transmission. The balanced XLR connection ensures the best sound and high-quality transmission – in the professional sound studio as well as in private audio systems. Signals can be transmitted via XLR inputs/outputs without loss of quality or interference. With the built-in XLR inputs/outputs, the new Revox B77 MK III is thus ideally equipped for perfect recording and playback – in private or professional settings.

Headphone connection: The headphone amplifier is of the highest quality and is suitable for both low and high headphone impedances.

Many different 1/4" 2-track tapes can be played and recorded:

• 19 cm/s recording and playback with 257 nWb/m and NAB
• 38 cm/s recording and playback with 510 or 320 nWb/m and NAB or CCIR

Switches for setting functions are available on the B77 MK III.

Digital Counter:

• Mode 1: Counter
• Mode 2: Time

The displayed time is calculated from the current counter reading. Furthermore, the set tape speed of 19 cm/s or 38 cm/s is deduced from the counting speed and the counter reading, and the counter reading is accordingly converted into a tape running time corresponding to the tape speed.

VU Meter: The highest precision is required for the level meters, which is why the Revox VU meters (volume units) are precisely calibrated. If the LED flashes during recording and playback, the optimal level has been reached. If the LED lights up continuously, this indicates an overload. With this ideal combination of displays, recordings of the highest dynamics can be effortlessly achieved. And another advantage is that the display also works during playback.

The Revox Interface Multiuser 3.0 B77 is available for integrating and controlling the B77 MK III in a Revox Multiuser audio solution, even via app or wall-mounted control.