I have searched the internet and have found no one that has done this. I have looked at the schematics of the Ampex 200A and the Studer J37, they are just simple class A tube amplifiers. I know the amplifier is only a part of the machine but it is the actual input/output. So if you where to built the circuit with the same tubes and the same values wouldn't that at least be reminiscent of the machine it was designed off of? An Akai M8 reel to reel for example. Most people strip these beautiful machines just to make a guitar amp from. Seems to me it would be very easy to replicate the circuitry form one without destroying antique gear (They say the decks are not that great, on paper yes, in reality they sound uniquely fantastic IMO). The schematics tell you everything you need to know.
I really don't see why people do things like stripping machines. It's much easier and better to build from scratch,
or else find a suitable pcb to use.
or else find a suitable pcb to use.
To a point, yes.
FWIW here in Argentina the late 60's guitar players "secret weapon" was to play through a cheap Geloso tape recorder, tube fitted of course.
So many influential and classic Rock and Jazz records were recorded using them that nowadays, over 60 years later, there is a small but lucrative niche market built around them, go figure.
Just go ahead or build one.
Regular "audio" stages are "doable";específico recording ones not that much, I bet they used inductor based equalization, you won't find those easily.
I know Akai decks have their issues for sure. I have a 1710w right now with a busted up cam. Some dude is selling nylon replacements on the internet right now for $23
Inductor based equalization... I like the technical sound of those words put together. I didn't see any inductors on the schematic but maybe they don't give away all of the design. Just what was in the service manual.
Yup you were 100% correct. All the inductors are in the record and oscillation circuit. Schematics do state the values of the inductors used. Definitely a more sophisticated layout. Really would be no point in recreating it for it is biased for the tape head. In my perfect dream world I would like to think I could build it all, stick it in a large cabinet, drop an Akai tape transport down in it (one that someone threw out of coarse) and have myself a consumer grade substitut Ampex machine. Or I could make the output amplifier exactly the way Ampex designed it and have 5 preamp stages and end up with a 15 tubed monster ( which it probably biased for the tape head also). Or... I can just do the last stage and have a cool stereo amp that was inspired by something way cooler. The latter. Thank you JMFahey for the insight!
