Revox PR99mkIII Early-1990s

This particular Revox PR99mkIII stood abandoned for a great many years after an events organizer in Bry, northern France, replaced it with some digital gadget. The machine sat snuggly in a sturdy flightcase in the company’s warehouse and was all but forgotten until ReelTape (reeltape.eu) offered to buy and rescue it from oblivion.

While this last iteration of the PR99 looked fine on arrival, it turned out to suffer from several more or less serious faults and imperfections. For the full story on the restoration of this machine, please see the workbench log.

Going to Pieces

The PR99 was completely disassembled (as in no parts remained bolted together) and then carefully rebuilt from scratch. however, the laborious exercise was well worth the effort: after all was said and done, the machine now shines as new.

There are no cosmetic blemishes other than a few minor scratches around the phones output in the lower left-hand corner. Otherwise this recorder is as clean as can be and in near-mint condition.

Both the mechanics and electronics operate at a superior level as may be expected from a Revox PR99. It even surpasses the manufacturer’s specifications which is only to be expected since Revox rated its recorders conservatively.

Please see the restoration log for the work performed and parts replaced. Some highlights include the relapping and regrinding of the record and reproduce heads by Summertone in England, the replacement of the pinch roller, tape guides and lifters, and motor capacitors and bearings. As a matter of course all capacitors were replaced with premier Panasonic ones and the plastic toggle switch levers (a notorious weak spot) dumped in favor of steel ones.

The PR99mkIII was the last of the Revox tape recorders manufactured. The design and its implementation straddles the divide between prosumer Revox and recording studio-grade Studer. It is much more than the “beefed-up” B77 some critics accuse it of being.

For more on this topic, please see Recorder Immaculate: The Revox PR99, Philosophy, and a Challenge on reeltape.eu.

Pro Features & Performance

The PR99mkIII bristles with features usually only found in pro decks suchs as a programmable real-time tape counter, a full logic transport, transformer- balanced in- and outputs, an incorporated varispeed, dual tape tensioners, and cal/uncal buttons on both the record and repro side allowing the user to choose between adjustable and standardised in- and output levels. The machine also boasts significantly upgraded modular electronics ensuring optimum performance under any condition.

Designed for easy maintenance, the Revox PR99 line has been built with longevity in mind. These machines, like other made by Studer/Revox defy entropy: i.e. they are built to last not just a lifetime but multiple generations.

With freshly (September 2026) relapped recording and playback heads, this PR99mkIII now stands at the threshold of another 4,000~5,000 hours of dependable operation well within its manufacturer’s specifications.

Please be aware that this PR99mkIII has not been subjected to a mere “service” but was hand-built from the ground up with a view to its “as-new” relaunch.

This PR99’s performance defies superlatives for crisp audio quality and smooth tape handling. The machine has been aligned to SM911 tape at 257nW/m (for 0dB VU) with an repro level of +4dBm on the transformer balanced outputs. Alignment to other tape formulas and tape flux levels available on request at no extra charge.

This rebuilt PR99mkIII owes little, if anything, to much larger (and more expensive) mastering recorders and comes with the ReelTape 2-year “satisfaction guaranteed” warranty on parts and labor.

A Passion for Craftsmanship

ReelTape is a business specialised in the restoration of high-end R2R recorders driven by a passion for perfection, craftsmanship, and customer service with branches in Switzerland, Spain, and the UK.

ReelTape fully restores tape recorders with a passion and does not count the hours spent in the workshop. Rather, machines are rebuilt to perfection regardless the effort required or expended. No corners are cut in the name of efficiency.

Please see an outline of the workshop protocol on reelrape.eu

Work Done

• Complete strip down, cleaning, and re-assembly.
• Ultrasound cleaning of all parts.
• New original Revox Nextel paint on reel tables.
• Rotary, sliding, and push-button switches disassembled, lubricated, and cleaned with fibre glass brush and treated with D5.
• Plastic toggle switch levers replaced with metal levers.
• New SKF bearings in reel and capstan motors, and left-hand tape guide.
• Motor capacitors replaced for proper torque.
• Pinch roller replaced.
• Potentiometers treated with D5.
• All adjustment trimmers replaced with sealed Bourns and Piher trimmers.
• Recording relays overhauled.
• Recording and playback heads relapped and grounded by Summertone in England.
• All Frako and Rita capacitors replaced.
• All electrolytic capacitors on PCB boards replaced with Panasonic caps.
• Brake linings cleaned and adjusted.
• Machine cage professionally spray-painted in matt black.
• Record LEDs replaced
• Cold white ('Kalt Weiß') LED lights for VU meters.
• Tape path and reel table height adjusted.
• Aligned with oscilloscope (levels, bias, equalization) to SM911 tape formula at 257nW/m with output level set at +4dB.
• Final checks on all functions.
• Performance exceeds manufacturer's specifications.
• 48-hour test run on recording loop.

Available for immediate delivery with free shipping to EU, UK, and EFTA. Shipping at cost to the rest of the world*.