Revox A77 MKIV 4TRACK or 2Track

[@a.m.armstrong8354]

I liked the Caribbean accent! Good to have an audiophile jazz enthusiast on this wavelength!

[@almandog]

Lovely boss. Jazz is where it's at. I am still waiting on the Analog Production of Kind of Blue limited pressing. I hear it's the best pressing to date.

[@sc0or]

I couldn't get a bit of useful info from "2 track, 4 track, 2 track, 4 track"... If you find an oscillator board part number, what was a problem to use a mirror and check the f.. heads? Do you think 2 and 4 track heads look identical? Didn't you find a head model printed on the a shell?

[@almandog]

2 track and 4 track heads are different when you look at the heads physically where the tape passes. You can tell when you see them side by side.

[@davidbartley989]

You've got a four-track deck. A four-track deck will play a two-track recording on Side 1 only. A two-track deck will not play a four track recording properly if the tape has been recorded on side 2. It will sound like a mash-up of music and backwards music as both sides play at the same time. Another sign this is a four-track deck is most (but not all) two-track A77s were high-speed units (7.5 and 15 ips).

[@almandog]

David: your comments are appreciated. Thank you.

[@davidbartley989]

@@almandog You are very welcome. I am restoring an A77 MkII that was a basket case, and it is almost complete - just a lingering record problem on Ch I. I really appreciate your A77 videos.

[@almandog]

Thanks for your comments. I discovered that a while back. Anyway 2 Track deck is my favorite. I tested both 2-TRACK and 4 Track to come to that decision.

[@mac.rodose]

It’s a shame Almando doesn’t always check the comments, people are going to the trouble of commenting with advice and information for nothing. Even more disappointing to the viewer is that there was no follow up video to this one, so no conclusion to the issues he’s presented. Kinda leaves one feeling like what was the point? I do enjoy watching his videos, but KZbin is a two way street.

[@eudatux23]

You can always play 2-track tapes on a 2-track machine just fine. The other way around it won't work. This is a 4-track machine, the label is completely right.

[@ERIC-65]

Why don't he look for the heads ? There's 4 or 2 with separation in between!

[@nikitaknunori]

Tale a mirror and look at the heads. You Can see if it 4 or 2 track heads. Maybe somone has fitted a 4 track head in a 2 track macine.

[@BenvanBeugen]

what for type of tape you use for the 4 track

[@almandog]

I use Recording The Master LPR90 tape.

[@BenvanBeugen]

@@almandog thanks greetz

[@storm-sf5rj]

if its a 2 track machine if you turn the tape over and play what you have recorded it should play it Backwards, but if it is a 4 track you should not hear any thing - also a 4 track will play 2 track tapes

[@lukasgayer5393]

Is it in 2 track or 4 track? Well... Firstly - it is written on the label on the pinch roller and secondly, just check the heads :) You can tell 2 track from a 4 track straight away.

[@almandog]

It was a Two a Track machine. The sticker said 4 Track but it is incorrect. I verified it when I played the tape on a 2 Track machine

[@thallrudedjentstorm1756]

@@almandog Bro, look at the god damn heads.. they are 100% 4 track heads....

[@almandog]

Water under the bridge. That deck was completed and gone a long time ago. Thanks for your comments.

[@conundrum112]

ps. I agree with Storm9154 below.

[@f1176]

It is very obvious that a 4-track machine will play pre-recorded 2-track or 4-track tapes. If you know the basics there is no surprises at all.

[@thallrudedjentstorm1756]

MKIV always was a four track

[@almandog]

Thanks for your comment. But that was completed and gone a long time ago.