I've owned many open reel and digital recorders. Years ago I recorded my kids high school jazz band with my Revox A77 Dolby and 2 Shure SM81 mikes. In parallel, I came out of the same mixer into a Tascam digital DAT recorder. The Revox master tape had much more spacial information. You could here the depth of the jazz ensemble. The digital recording was clean and a bit quieter but simply did not produce the soundstage depth and warmth. I also have a Revox B77 and a Teac X-1000R. The Revox decks sounds almost identical with the B77 having more gentle tape management but a cheaper composite cabinet. The Teac X1000R sounds great with much more advanced tape management and it can use a broader range of tape. However, the internal build quality does not compare to the Revox decks. Personally I find all three decks sound superior to most digital recording devices until you use 24 bit at 192K sampling frequency and excellent electronics. The Revox A77 is highly recommended and very cool.

Versatility, simplicity of operation, naturalness of sound reproduction, no harshness or stridency, portability, very quiet transport operation, wide dynamic range, excellent frequency response, fast wind/rewind

Unbalanced mic inputs (could be a problem with long mic cables; i.e., noise, radio interference)

I purchased my ReVox A77 in 1974 as a new machine, and it has been in continuous use since that time. It's needed maintenance during this long period, which is to be expected, including replacement of the record and playback heads, but the sound has always been exemplary. Although I originally got the A77 to do line recordings, the real potential of this superb recorder became apparent when I made live recordings with a Sony ECM-99 stereo mic I had purchased. I was then prompted to invest in two pairs of professional mics, by beyerdynamic and Schoeps, and this is where the incredible sound potential of this machine was unleashed! I became fortunate enough to record a very fine professional symphony orchestra, and using ORTF mic placement techniques, I obtained results that included tremendous dynamic range, spectral and phase accuracy, and above all, deeply satisfying musicality.

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This Revox is one the best reel to reel machines ever made.

It is hard to find reel to reel tapes.

I have had this Revox A77 for almost 40 years, without having any major problems.

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Excellent sound and mechanical build quality

Threading the tape and remembering to push the reel size selector button.

I have had a B77 Mk2 2 track for several years bought second hand. I spent a lot of time getting the machine properly set up so now there is no detectable difference between source and tape. I use Ampex456 tapes which are expensive but I tend to use the machine to record radio broadcasts rather than to make archive recordings. Setting up is key to get the performance out of these machines so prospective buyers need to be prepared to get specialist advice. Sound quality is noticably better than minidisc or CDRW when recording analogue sources. For digital sources forget the Revox and make direct copies to MD or CDRW. Digital domestic recorders are so good now that I would only recommend the Revox to dedicated enthusiasts

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Sony Mini Disc MDS JB930

The Revox A77was considered by many one of the finest open reel decks made. Thie "D"model had Dolby noise reduction. Designed in Switzerland and built in W. Germany this model with Dolby B running as superb sonics. I own 2 DATs and several Nakamichi decks. All are great. The Revox is exceptional from several perspectives including:
- Build quality. The workmanship inside and out is incredible. The unit is a historical piece of art and engineering worth owning out of appreciation of manufacturing excellence from another era.

- Sonic quality. The audio quality is wonderful. Superior subjectively to all other devices I've used.

- Great specification for its day.

- Great retro look with the 10.5 inch reels.

Fun to demonstrate how recording technology has really just lowered cost and size, not sujective quality.

One last observation. Years ago Stereophile reviewed the Revox B77, (Volume 7, No. 6). The reviewer heard no difference when the unit was compared to an Otari open reel deck. I believe this was due to the use of DBX noise reduction in the review which likely masked the difference between the units.

I've owned several open reel, cassette decks and DAT recorders. The Revox A77 Dolby model is an exceptional recording device. Although I seldom use it today, I am still amazed at the construction and sound quality. The deck was built in W. Germany and represents an era of build quality that is long passed. The unit is direct drive, as wide bandwith and very good electronics. I recommend the unit to anyone who has open reel tapes and an interest in the history of recording devices. The Dolby model is very quiet and sonically the Dolby does not color the sound in a way that DBX II does. If you see one in good shape consider it. Check for head wear. You may have fun listening to some of your old open reels from time to time.
P.S. I have made a few live recordings with the DAT and analog running in parallel. To my ears, they both sound great but the open reel sounds for like the mike feed. The DAT "hardens up" the sound a "bit".

Excellent open reel tape deck, superb sound quality but will probably need servicing if bought second hand. I've got two of these and both have problems. However, second hand price can be pretty low. One of my units cost £100 (UK), the other £10 from the local tip.

Excellent workmanship and audio quality

Specialised mechanics not widely available anymore

After approx 20 years since I sold my first A77 I was able to find a used one thru e-bay. Unfortunately, after a few (approx 2) hours of operation it starts smeling (burnt cabling ?) and it starts spinning fast forward by itshelf. Pls if you have any ideas on how to fix it send an e-mail. Apart from that everything has gone fine to date. I love this machine and its looks and I hope to keep it for many years.

swiss precision mechanics, real to life sound reproduction

time consuming maintenance

Well, here we go again, the analog versus digital war, the new versus old, the "mine is better than yours,etc'. I have no doubts that the guys who like music have also ears and all the reviews inthe world will not substitute your own hearing.I bought recently a Revox B77MKII to record life chamber music and radio classical music from NPR during evening late hours.To my surprise the sound that this machine rewarded me was absolutely stunning! Not only that the sound was as real to life at it gets, but nothing even get close to it after bringing some musician friends to make sure that my ears are not fouling me. Nope, all agreed with me, and after a lot of comparasons and extensive recordings (DAt,CD-Recorders,etc via Martin Logan speakers, Conrad Johnson And Audio Research amplifiers/preamplifiers, Madrigal Digital and VPI analog) the conclusion was unanimous:the analog is closer to the real thing my a LARGE MARGIN.The Revox is a stunning machine, altough old(1988),and I am sorry that at this time the music slides slowly toward the more artificial less realistic medium.I hope that digital will change, but after twenty years I do not see a break through.Five star for the MUSIC.

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revox A700, Nakamichi ZX7, Sony ES