ReVox PR99 MKII 2-Track 7.5/15 IPS Superb Restoration Recapped Documented Tested

ReVox PR99 Mk II Professional 2-Track Open Reel – 7½/15 IPS NAB – Extensively Serviced & Documented

Offered here is an impressively well-documented ReVox PR99 Mk II professional two-track reel-to-reel recorder, serial number 034154, in the high-speed 7½ / 15 ips NAB configuration.

The PR99 was ReVox's professional development of the B77 architecture, designed specifically for broadcast, studio, mastering and production use. This Mk II incorporates the heavy-duty three-motor transport, balanced professional audio connections, electronic transport logic, real-time digital counter/locator functions, variable speed control, tape dump/editing facilities and remote/fader-start provisions expected of a true professional machine. Period literature specifically marketed the PR99 Mk II for broadcast and professional recording applications.

What particularly distinguishes this example, however, is the extraordinary amount of service documentation accompanying it.

Extensive documented electronic restoration

This PR99 was subjected to a remarkably thorough component-level overhaul. The machine comes with the technician's original working documentation covering the individual circuit boards, including printed PCB layouts annotated during the work, component schedules identifying capacitors, transistors and other parts replaced, and the original removed components retained in individually organized bags corresponding to the various stages of the restoration.

Among the documented work are component replacements throughout the machine's audio and control circuitry, including work to the tape-drive control, reproduce amplifier, record/audio circuitry, fader-start/control circuitry and associated boards. Numerous aging electrolytic capacitors and semiconductor devices were replaced, with the technician recording component designations and substitutions directly on the accompanying worksheets.

Rather than simply describing the machine as "recapped" or "serviced," we are including photographs of this documentation so that prospective buyers can see the unusually extensive nature of the work for themselves. There are many more photographs than can be included here of the annotated repair notes and replaced parts. The sale will include all of the documentation and original parts.

Documented performance testing

The documentation additionally includes the technician's actual frequency-response test plots for both channels and both operating speeds.

The four supplied plots are marked for 7½ ips and 15 ips, with left- and right-channel measurements recorded at both 20 Hz and 1 kHz reference points. These provide unusually useful evidence that the restoration went beyond component replacement and included measured evaluation of the completed machine.

Factory specifications for the high-speed NAB PR99 Mk II include frequency response of approximately 30 Hz–20 kHz at 7½ ips and 30 Hz–22 kHz at 15 ips, with wow and flutter specified below approximately 0.08% at 7½ ips and 0.06% at 15 ips.

Professional high-speed configuration

This is the desirable 2-track / half-track stereo, high-speed NAB version rather than the slower 3¾/7½ ips configuration.

Features include:

• 7½ and 15 ips electronically selected tape speeds
• 2-track stereo record and playback
• NAB equalization
• Three-motor transport with two reel motors and electronically regulated capstan motor
• Accommodates reels up to 10½ inches
• Built-in variable speed control
• Electronic real-time counter with locator/repeat functions
• Full-logic transport
• Separate channel VU meters
• Peak indicators
• Tape dump/edit facilities
• Remote-control and fader-start provisions
• Balanced professional line connections
• Front headphone monitoring
• Rack/chassis configuration

ReVox specified the varispeed system over an exceptionally broad range of approximately -33% to +50%, one of the features that made the PR99 especially useful in professional production environments.

Connectivity

The professional I/O panel provides separate Channel 1 and Channel 2 balanced line inputs and outputs, together with connections for monitor, serial control, remote control, tape-drive remote and fader start, depending upon the external equipment employed.

Unlike consumer machines designed principally around RCA connections, the PR99 was engineered to integrate directly into professional studio and broadcast installations.

Multi-voltage operation

The rear voltage selector provides settings for 100, 120, 140, 200, 220 and 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

The machine is presently configured for 120V operation.

The manufacturer's identification plate confirms:

ReVox PR99 Mk II
Serial No. 034154
2-Track NAB
50–60 Hz
100 W
Made in West Germany by Willi Studer GmbH

Cosmetic condition

Cosmetically, this is a very presentable example of a machine designed as professional equipment rather than furniture.

The front panel remains attractive and the lettering, controls, meters and counter display present very well. There are scattered scratches, rubs and other signs of normal professional use on the chassis, upper and side surfaces, with some additional marks visible around the rack/chassis edges. The plated steel portions show normal age-related variation in finish.

There are also handwritten Channel 1 / Channel 2 line-input and line-output notations on the rear chassis, presumably added during its working life.

We have deliberately photographed the machine from numerous angles, including the tape path, heads, rear panel, connections and chassis. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.

The exposed tape path is exceptionally clean in appearance. The head faces have also been photographed at very close range so that buyers familiar with professional open-reel equipment may evaluate their visible condition for themselves.

Included documentation

A substantial collection of original service material accompanies the recorder, including the technician's PCB diagrams and worksheets, component-replacement lists, annotated working material, retained removed components, and the four printed frequency-response test plots for both channels at both speeds.

For a machine of this age, this degree of component-level documentation is decidedly uncommon and provides a far more meaningful service history than the vague "recently serviced" description attached to many vintage professional recorders.

Packing, shipping & local pickup

This is a large, extremely heavy professional tape machine and will be packed accordingly.

We have extensive experience shipping valuable vintage reel-to-reel decks, receivers, amplifiers and other heavy audio equipment throughout the United States and internationally. The recorder will be very heavily protected with substantial cushioning and a suitably oversized heavy-duty carton, with particular attention paid to the controls, reel spindles, faceplate and chassis.

The shipment will be fully insured for the purchase price.

Local pickup is also welcome, and for a machine of this size and caliber we are always happy to accommodate a buyer who would prefer to collect it personally.