Around this time last year I ran a blog about Revox offering newly-refurbished editions of their classic B77 MkI and MkII tape decks. In the year since then, there have been some even more exciting developments in the pipeline, which have now finally come out and hit the headlines…
(In the meantime there was of course the fabulous limited-edition B77 MkII Yello Edition, launched earlier this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Swiss electronic band Yello and the release their seminal 1985 album Stella on reel-to-reel tape).
‘The return of an icon’
Revox announced last week that they’re launching a brand new MkIII edition of the B77. ‘The return of an icon’ is the header of the press release and it certainly feels that way. At the same time, they’re also launching a new Revox Analog Master Tapes Collection.
‘A significant step for the analog community – a significant step for Revox’, says the publicity material and I can’t say I disagree. I think this all bodes very well indeed for ramping up the tape revival another notch! More on the tapes in a mo, let’s take a look at the deck first.
The brand new Revox B77 MkIII
This is NOT a refurb! It’s an all-new machine, manufactured in-house in Revox’s ‘Klangwerk’ facility (literal translation: ‘sound work’) in Villingen, Germany.
It’s a full-function machine (designed for both playback and recording) and has been significantly redesigned improved over the B77’s earlier ‘vintages’, with the addition of some brilliant new features.
The entire electronics have been optimized, to incorporate the full functionality of current-day components and simulation options. At the same time, selected classic components that have stood the test of time are still featured, such as newly-improved versions of original Revox heads, with Revox’s unique motors but now built to deliver a considerably longer service life.
Some of the key highlights of the new design include:
- A new long-life head design.
- All new audio circuitry offering long term reliability, and avoiding the use of any electrolytic capacitors in the signal path.
- Switchable CCIR and NAB equalisation.
- Switchable 320 / 510nWb/m tape level
- Switchable consumer / pro output level (for home hi-fi systems and professional studio use).
- Audiophile headphone amplifier capable of driving low and high impedance headphones.
- XLR and RCA outputs.
The new B77 MK III will sell for €15,950 (which includes German sales tax @19%) and is likely to be available from December 2024.
As you would expect from a company / brand of Revox’ stature, it’s being manufactured to the highest quality standards. The company is billing it as “an audiophile masterpiece and visual work of art” that “stands for demonstrable sustainability like no other audio product.”
What’s really worth noting here, is that this is now the cheapest (not ‘cheap’ obviously, so let’s say the least expensive) full-functioning (record and playback) new reel-to-reel deck on the market. All of the lower-priced alternatives (such as the Ballfinger / Thorens, Analog Audio Design, etc) are playback only, while all of the other full functioning machines (those that including recording functionality) are more costly.
Another point worthy of consideration is the fact that Revox is a 76 year old company, and one that stills services its original B77 MkI machine – a product first introduced to market in 1977. So, they’re still here to support their vintage stock, and they’ve specifically built the new MKIII to last. Can the companies behind the other ‘artisan’ machines say the same – will they still be here in ten years’ time to service their products? I certainly hope so, and I will always applaud and support the artisan rather than automatically favouring a big brand, but when you’re investing these kinds of bucks, it’s something to bear in mind.
Where to find out more & buy
You’ll find everything you need to know online at https://revox.com/world
Revox says that “the high level of production and quality control required for the B77 Mk III means that no more than 20 machines can be produced per month.” Which is far more than anyone else in the market has the capacity to produce, so I wouldn’t be too worried about missing out. Then again, if what I’ve heard on the grapevine is correct, the first two months’ production is already sold out!
By way of a quick post-script, in case you’re still wondering about the other aforementioned B77 editions: Revox are still offering their refurbed MkI and MkII models, priced at around €8K (you’ll find details on their website at https://revox.com/world/classic/classic-products). As for the Yello special edition, I’m afraid that ship has long since sailed: Revox only made 10 of those which, alas, sold out in 15 minutes! (I’m told they could’ve easily sold at least 25 based on demand).
The Revox Analog Master Tapes Collection
In tandem with the introduction of the B77 MkIII, Revox are expanding their ‘Music Shop’ (http://www.revox.com/music-shop) and doing a rebranding of sorts to ‘The Revox Analog Master Tapes Collection’.
This is all happening in collaboration with German master tape label Horch House. I had a video chat with Volker Lange, the ‘main man’ behind Horch House, the other day. He was at Revox’s facility at the time, working on the project. He’s working with them to set up a new ‘Horch House master system’ – in other words a master tape duplication facility, in their Klangwerk premises, and I’m told that this facility should be fully up and running by early 2025.
I spotted some of the work-in-progress in the background of our video chat, including a bank of professional Studer / Revox tape machines, notably lots of A80s – exciting stuff!
The plan is to expand Revox’ production of exclusive master tapes, taking original recordings from various recording studios and making exceptionally high quality 1:1 copies for sale. I’m told that the range of Revox master tapes will be continuously expanded over the coming years, though I don’t yet have any scoops for you regarding what those might be, or what recording labels they may have struck licencing deals with. I’ll see what I can find out, but these things tend to be kept firmly under wraps and only announced immediately prior to each new release!
Watch this space for a possible report from Germany and a review of the new deck!
Excitingly, when I spoke with Volker, there was talk of an invitation to Germany to view and film the new master tape duplication facility, so I’ll keep you posted on that! Plus I’m hoping to receive a review sample of the B77 MkIII, which I’m equally massively excited about, and will again keep you posted! Hopefully I’ll find out more about how the Revox / Horch House relationship will pan out over time. Watch this space, as they say…
In the meantime, here I am having a bit of a ramble / chat about all of this on YouTube.
Dave Denyer: The Reel-to-Reel Rambler 