I need to let go my superb Studer A80 MK2 16 tracks on 2 inch tape recorder... I'm the 2nd owner of this machine. I bought it from a local personnal friend in 1997 (who bought it brand new in 1981). I used that machine a lot from 1997 to about 2005. After that, very rarely... Checked and calibrated yearly. The good: - Every track work both in playback and record, up to specs. 16 tracks of pristine and warm sound! - Every mechanical and transport functions work as they should. Solid, silent and very smooth transport. - The machine is calibrated for older 3M 996 tape, CCIR 15 ips and AES 30 ips, 320 nw/m both speed. - Since this is a 16 on 2 inch, you don't need noise reduction units. 30 ips is as clean as you can get, and 15 in CCIR mode is almost as clean, but with a bigger low end (I prefer 15 CCIR). - The record head has been replaced a few years ago. 85% life left. - Everything on this machine works perfectly! Both speeds, both EQ curves at 15 ips, every adjustment pot, meters, function selectors, all light bulbs, etc. - When I bought the machine back in 1997, I built a custom input box for it. This box enables the tracks in INPUT (which is normally only available through the Studer remote control). There's also an AUTO switch, which will follow-up playback mode: Input at STOP, and TAPE at Playback mode. The box is well made, super simple with good quality relays. The (not so) bad:
- The hour meter has been removed, but I estimate hours at around 15000. - The playback head has 10% life remaining. It will work long enough for any backup/transfer work you maybe have to do, but will eventually need to be replaced if the machine is used a lot. Last time I checked, JFR had heads (replacements) available. - The break on the supply reel is a bit lose sometimes, but I'm being very picky here. Works ok, but if the goal is to have a 110% perfect machine, you could replace it (easy). - Of course, this is a 35+ years old machine; re-caping it would probably be a good idea...
I'll include 16 XLR-M to TS and 16 XLR-F to TS cables (about 15 feet long). Original Studer power cable, service manual, and MRL test tape also included (as pictured). Since this is a HUGE machine, I obviously won't ship it. Local pickup in Quebec City, Canada. Feel free to PM me if you have any question. Canadian residents need to pay taxes. NO tax in the USA.
