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CAPACITOR & PRESET UPGRADE KIT FOR ALL REVOX B77 Mk1 & MK2 REEL TO REEL TAPE RECORDERS

This kit contains:

Replacement capacitors for all the electrolytics

Replacement for all tantalum capacitors

Brand new specially manufactured non polarised motor capacitors

All troublesome suppression capacitors

A full set of fully enclosed cermet type preset potentiometers both 10mm and 15mm pitch

Three audio relay sub kits to replace the 3 audio relays on the monitor and oscillator boards ( new! from Jan 25)

This kit caters for the following circuit boards.

PSU 1.177.310 /311 /312.

Tape Drive 1.177. /317 /.81

Speed control 1.177.325 /326 /327. /.00 /.81

Input Amp 1.177.221. /220

Record amp 1.177.230 /232 /233 /237 /238 /.81

Oscillator 1.177.240 /242 /243

Reproduce amp 1.177.250 /252 /253 /257 /258 /00. /.81

Monitor amp 1.177.260 /.00 , /.81

3x motor capacitors.

Recommended later factory updates

TOTALS:

Capacitors =105 Preset trimmers 10mm and 15mm = 25 Relays = 3

Installation Accessories = 9

GENERAL INFORMATION ON OUR KITS
Our kits contain specially sourced, new, freshly manufactured components from reliable manufacturers whom we have been dealing with for many years. No NOS (new old stock) or 2nd hand items!! The motor capacitors are specially manufactured for us for Revox and Studer tape deck motors as are large power supply can type electrolytics. The audio signal path capacitors are low noise, low leakage / high stability types that we have had specifically manufactured to our specifications and quality. We don’t use off the shelf capacitors from wholesalers or other vendors simply because most times they just don’t come up to spec no matter what famous brand they are … and they could be old!
Did you know - capacitors degrade when they have been stored for a long time. The expected design life of electrolytic, suppressor and motor capacitor does not extend beyond 20 years and they degrade quickly whether under working or storage conditions after 20 years.
CHEAP PARTS ON EBAY. In the last few years a plethora of cheap Chinese made pinch rollers, reel tables and other parts have become available for Revox and Studer. We assess all parts made for Revox, Studer, Tascam and other machines and if they pass our testing and quality standards we will source them at an appropriate price no matter where they are made. First and foremost is the quality and performance. So far most Chinese made parts are inferior unfortunately. See our test results on some of these here www. ?????
MOTOR CAPACITORS: Our precision high-grade motor capacitors are specially made to our specifications for us for Revox and Studer tape decks. Our motor capacitors are the exact Revox capacitance values not "approximately close". Anyone who implies that a higher capacitance value is better is incorrect. Some Ebay vendors offer copycat kits many with inferior white washing machine capacitors and dubious non X2 rated suppression capacitors. Our motor capacitors ensure the capstan and reel motors develop the correct starting and running torque necessary for smooth tape transport under a variety of tape tensions. If you have wow and flutter or sluggish FFWD or RWD then your motor capacitors are likely the problem.

OUR SUPPRESSOR CAPACITORS far exceed the original specifications and are X2 rated to 275/300VAC. Some vendors try selling cheaper DC rated capacitors, which are not correct and won't last. Did you know an AC rated X2 capacitor at 275VAC have an equivalent DC rating exceeding 800 VDC. Cheaper inferior 400VDC and 600VDC capacitors just wont do the job because they are not AC continuously rated and will fail. In defense of the original Rifa and other makes of suppressor capacitors fitted by Studer / Revox to most of their machines (often referred to as “little smokers” (a coined WWW term I really loathe!). These at the time were the best available. The have done what they have supposed to do – suppress surges and spikes due to inductive / capacitive switching – and are simply old and passed their service life. They have never been bad capacitors. It’s simply time to replace them.

OUR OWN NAGRAVOX SERVICE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. For all kits, full instructions for each board are included with pictures before and after detailing exactly which components go where and a host of useful tips, checks and basic calibration. We are still the only supplier of kits that has taken the time and effort to produce a detailed instruction manual on how to install our kits, what to look out for and how to maintain existing calibration. Some of these exceed 100 pages and share our collective knowledge and experience over many years and many hundreds of restorations.
Some typical picture examples are shown now.

Don’t waste your time replacing just one or two capacitors on machines that are now 25 - 40 years old, replace ALL the likley troublesome electrolytics and tantalums. Old high voltage capacitors associated with the motors and tape drive will be near the end of their useful life - electrically and often even visually. Some capacitors may test ok on a low voltage modern tester. However capacitors usually need to be tested after they have operated for at least 10 hours (after being discharged and stored for many years) at working voltage and then tested under actual working voltage conditions. Modern testers cant do this. For such relatively low cost components its prudent to just replace the lot. All our components are new recent manufacture specifically for Nagravox and specifically specified as worthy replacement for the originals.
Another typical example of Nagravox service sheets.
UPGRADE LABEL PROVIDED. Why? Because we think that you should be proud of your work and it shows you have done a proper job.

Tools you will need.
·       Soldering iron and solder
·       Desoldering tool or good solder sucker
·       Switch contact cleaner WITHOUT lubricant
·    Screwdrivers, nose pliers, side cutters, 5mm - 13mm metric sockets and spanners
·       Multi meter
IS THIS KIT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? Please communicate with me at Nagravox. This is my preferred medium for communication for all queries, aspects you may need assurance on, parts, puzzling faults and of course for a chat.

WHY BUY FROM NAGRAVOX?

* My kits are relevant. * My support is genuine and I am the only service person offering and sharing my experience.

NAGRAVOX SERVICE UPGRADE KITS are formulated to include all the bits likely to need replacing that are commonly related.
These target the most likely worn or age degraded parts.

SUPPORT and HELP. We try to incorporate most of the “confusing” or difficult aspects one needs to look out for in our upgrade kits instructional notes which we call “Service Sheets”. We also refer you to the official factory service manuals most of which are in the public domain courtesy of Studer / Revox. As our customer we are happy to either provide you with a manual or refer you to the appropriate download site. Further, as an after sales service, we are happy to answer any questions or difficulties you have in your repair or upgrade . We wont always know the answers but will certainly try our best to help. In any event, if we don’t know the answer it is an ideal opportunity for us to increase our knowledge and experience base and so welcome all problems. Indeed perhaps you might share some of your innovative solutions and experiences. After all we certainly don’t know everything and welcome advice, suggestions and constructive criticism. My philosophy is that in reality their are few problems only solutions waiting to be communicated or discovered. Why do we offer this level of support? Well as I indicated before, I do this out of a passion and I think I am right in saying so do you in your anticipated endeavors restoring your treasured vintage gear. It is in this common spirit I am happy to share my knowledge and experience with you as a customer.

WHY BUY FROM NAGRAVOX?

NAGRAVOX SERVICE UPGRADE KITS are formulated to include all the bits likely to need replacing that are commonly related. These target the most likely worn or age degraded parts.

SUPPORT and HELP. We try to incorporate most of the “confusing” or difficult aspects one needs to look out for in our kit instructions we call “Service Sheets”. We also have access to official factory service manuals and update bulletins, which we are happy to share with you as a customer. We provide help and support for our kits via email, Whats App, Facetime, Skype etc. We are here to help you and answer any questions or difficulties you have in your repair or upgrade. You are not alone. Our philosophy is that in reality there are few problems, only solutions waiting to be communicated or discovered. Why do we offer this level of support? Well as indicated before, we do this out of a passion and so do you in your anticipated endeavors restoring your treasured vintage gear. It is in this common spirit that we are happy to share knowledge and experience with you.

IS THIS KIT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE?

Please see these Nagravox information sheets to help you decide.

Questions you may have
Can you do it? A beginners guide
Tools & Techniques
The Full Monty Kit

DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS on the kit you are interested in?

Please communicate via ebay messaging. Please note we are not allowed to solicit yours or give you our direct contact details as it is strictly forbidden by ebay. Sigh.

HOW ARE OUR KITS ORGANISED?

·         BASIC Kit. This is the absolute minimalist kit and supplies the most likely capacitors that have degraded - motor capacitors, suppression capacitors and resistors. Some Studer kits include aluminium can power supply capacitors contactor relays.

·         ELECTRONIC capacitor and trimmer Kit. Adds to the basic kit - all the other polar capacitors in the tape transport, PSU and audio modules and systems. All tantalum and electrolytic capacitors are replaced. Open type trimmers are replaced with closed modern cermet trimmers. If we think its prudent we include relays, transistors and other essential parts we think is a good idea to replace.
·         BASIC MECHANICAL Service Kit. All replaceable motor bearings, circlips for 2 reel motors and the special lubricant for the capstan motor. A general lubricant for levers, bushes and linkages is also supplied.

·         FULL MECHANICAL Kit. Added to the basic mechanical kit, we add a special drag agent/ lubricant to service the tape tension dampers and parts to replace brake linings, tape guide roller bearings, tape counter belt/s (if applicable) and the pinch roller.

·         FULL MONTY. This is a fully optioned kit and what we would typically fit to a machine that comes into our workshop for a full overhaul / restoration. It includes the above ELECTRONIC capacitor and trimmer kit, FULL MECHANICAL kit PLUS spare bulbs, securing hardware and new RCA sockets if applicable and more.

·         CALIBRATION . A full kit to test, setup and calibrate your tape recorder. Playback alignment tape. Record Blank setup tape. Detailed instructions on what equipment you need, how to use it and how to set up your particular model machine.

·         OOPS !! UPGRADE SUB KIT . This is for those people who initially purchased a BASIC kit but have realised that the full ELECTRONIC kit is justified. It is less the motor capacitors and suppression components which are in the basic kit.

DO YOU NEED SPECIFIC SPARE PARTS?

We have many individual components for all Revox and Studer machines, which we get in and keep specifically for the benefit of our kit customers. We are not general spares suppliers so please don’t be offended when we say ‘spare parts are only for our kit customers’. We carry a wide array of spares including hard to find good 2nd hand but again only for our kit customers.