Restoring ReVox G36 MKIII - Expert Opinions Solicited

[slor]

Hmm, still trying to puzzle this one out:

-I currently have a 60hZ, low-speed machine.

-I could install a high-speed motor and capstan, but only 50hZ units are available (if at all).

-If I did, I would need to supply JUST the capstan motor with 50hZ voltage. that means, probably, building a quartz synthesizer, as Steerpike suggested. I've not yet encountered one, so I don't know how complex / how large / how expensive they are.

Is this insane? I'm beginning to suspect it may be.

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by slor

Hmm, still trying to puzzle this one out:

-I currently have a 60hZ, low-speed machine.

-I could install a high-speed motor and capstan, but only 50hZ units are available (if at all).

-If I did, I would need to supply JUST the capstan motor with 50hZ voltage. that means, probably, building a quartz synthesizer, as Steerpike suggested. I've not yet encountered one, so I don't know how complex / how large / how expensive they are.

Is this insane? I'm beginning to suspect it may be.

I think you have answered that question.. Look for an Otari MX-5050 MKII or later and build yourself some good outboard tube electronics. The transports on these decks work like a dream.. Otari is still making decks new and parts are fairly readily available for the older decks.

[slor]

Ha! Yeah I think you said it Kevin. I actually have a couple of Otaris that I'm fond of, both are early-model 5050s, a 1/4" 2-track and a 1/2" 8-track. They are generally very solid pieces of equipment. I think I was just reeled in (seriously, no pun intended) by the sexiness of tubes.

Speaking of which, I know that some company (Bottlehead?) makes a tube amp replacement for the Otari, but it's darned expensive. I have built tube amps before, I wonder how hard it would be to fabricate them for the 2-track....

Oh no, better not get started down that path!

Many thanks,
Seth

[Steerpike]

Originally Posted by slor

Hmm, still trying to puzzle this one out:
-If I did, I would need to supply JUST the capstan motor with 50hZ voltage. that means, probably, building a quartz synthesizer, as Steerpike suggested. I've not yet encountered one, so I don't know how complex / how large / how expensive they are.

Yes, thats what you'd need. The turntable people do it with things like this
Needle Doctor 1-800-229-0644, Pro-Ject Speed Box SE II
or the Linn Valhalla power supply.

Not that I imply that one will work with the G36, but the principal is identical. It would run ONLY the capstan motor. $600 is exceptionally expensive for what is inside it, but I suppose they feel they need to justify their time spent designing it. The fabrication cost is one 25W mono chip amp + power supply, plus an additional transformer. The 50Hz reference is then either your computer, an old MP3 player, or a quartz crystal plus sundry ICs (about $10 worth).

If you wanted to boldly go where no ReVox tweaker has gone before, you could put an A77 or B77 capstan motor + drive board into a G36. It's a far torquier motor. Everything is possible to those will it!