Revox Heads

[100LL]

Curious about the playback and record heads on Revox R2R machines. I have an A77 and B77, their heads appear the same.

Are they the same exact heads? I ask because I would like to find a pair of excellent heads to have as spares.

Thanks

 

[radiokom]

They are all the same electronically. There was early mounting with 2 screws and later with 1. They are not interchangeable.

 

[tapetech]

A77 and B77 heads are the same. Very hard to find new ones, however. If anyone has a confirmed source, post it here.

 

[jlb2]

Not made by Revox, and not cheap, but the Italian company Photovox makes new heads, including wide-track ("butterfly") heads, which seem to be a drop in replacement for the originals. Revox-online sells them, although they don't seem to have many types available right now. It may be a good idea to contact them if interested.

 

[radiokom]

Not made by Revox, and not cheap, but the Italian company Photovox makes new heads, including wide-track ("butterfly") heads, which seem to be a drop in replacement for the originals. Revox-online sells them, although they don't seem to have many types available right now. It may be a good idea to contact them if interested.

479,00 € for 1 head is not cheap, however about 1/2 of Flux Magnetics price. Only 2 track heads are available.

You can still buy heads from Nordost7 in ebay. They are OK, but prices are higher now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255898869611?hash=item3b94c2df6b:g:wlEAAOSw9lFjX6Et

 

[tapetech]

I recently contacted Revox-Online and Photovox and neither had Revox 2 track heads (or subs) for sale.

 

[100LL]

I see 2 track heads pop up on ebay. But now I have another question. What's the easiest way to tell a 2 track head made for a 4 trk/ 2 channel machine versus a 2 track head made for a 2 trk/2 ch machine? Easy to do with the naked eye?

 

[radiokom]

I see 2 track heads pop up on ebay. But now I have another question. What's the easiest way to tell a 2 track head made for a 4 trk/ 2 channel machine versus a 2 track head made for a 2 trk/2 ch machine? Easy to do with the naked eye?

I am a bit confused - what do you mean by "2 track head made for a 4 trk/ 2 channel machine"? Revox head blocks for 4 track and 2 track machines are identical. So there are 4 track 2 channel heads and 2 track 2 channel heads.

4 track heads:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/266101292283?hash=item3df4df7cfb:g:xaIAAOSweopirjs5&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoOrkRN9oFRGxYdJd+8wHjA9Wm8upRj92lpHj1OmAauKb/j+2l6wJ+jNzszXL/+Szrghhh4WRBXyhvI5B+mkmh8xGPwii3xox//Uu0CDegbcu3+OW780kQnaoSKPVHBEiULTr23q2XsSKrICX4JdAk0ogcEdz5lVeO4U4i0Dj/25Yzekk9Nmr6Y9ZH5JCddBbhyMGjTGUOcWOtHGuPx+0NWg=|tkp:Bk9SR8yk38PAYQ

2 track heads:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/255898869611?hash=item3b94c2df6b:g:wlEAAOSw9lFjX6Et&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoOAM1ARAYOQ673YyioOCYtDD9+ayPo7AyenLm0xIgmqvAkrq5SPhW5EJqcMP5cbOieKi7BeZInnmTnjSfvAedEQ2j46JNOHEEcA3knB1JaQ9K8xa7bcXsEeuVFwKhpEM2ZwybSZYGEjGKdS0XSsGCcxGG+ksAzRY3A/h6BujPrKKpu1rnyXq1kkRnGg7eCrnI2vTMtq5in6vooup8zhsNTY=|tkp:Bk9SR8yk38PAYQ

 

[100LL]

 

[dhnash]

This drawing will give you an idea of the difference in the track width of a Half (Two) Track stereo and a Quarter (Four) Track stereo recording on 1/4" tape. As you can see, the track width for Half (Two) Track recordings is almost double that of the Quarter (Four) Track recording and the size of the gaps on the heads used to record and play these formats have similar differences.

 

[100LL]

Is it obvious when looking at the bright, polished metal side on the heads? I've been looking at some online and think I could sort it out, but I've made way too many mistakes in my life to trust my instincts

 

[dhnash]

It is wise to ask appropriate questions if you are uncertain about what is being offered for sale online.

 

[100LL]

Some sellers don't know what they're selling, or have it wrong in their mind. I've been studying photos and think I can spot the difference, which isn't too difficult if the photos are decent.