REEL ATLASTHE ART & SCIENCE OF TAPE
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA / 13

The machine directory

Choose a format. Then choose the machine.

DomesticVintage

Akai
4000DS

Tracks
Quarter-track stereo
Speed
3¾ / 7½ ips
Reels
7-inch

An accessible route to domestic stereo tapes. Inspect mechanical cams, heads and complete service condition.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Philips
N4522

Tracks
Half-track stereo
Speed
3¾ / 7½ / 15 ips
Reels
10½-inch

Original N4522 manual specifies switchable NAB/IEC at 15 ips. Its 7½ ips setting uses 3180 + 50 µs; do not assume IEC1 at every speed.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Revox
A77 / B77 vintage

Tracks
Half- or quarter-track variants
Speed
Standard / high-speed variants
Reels
10½-inch family

Select the exact head format and speed version. A familiar badge does not establish IEC capability.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Revox
PR99

Tracks
Check headblock / conversion
Speed
Check speed version
Reels
10½-inch family

A practical studio-derived platform. Check installed EQ, balanced connections and restoration scope.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Technics
RS-1500US

Tracks
Half-track record; half + quarter replay
Speed
3¾ / 7½ / 15 ips
Reels
10½-inch

Original brochure specifies NAB. Its tape-formulation EQ selectors are not a NAB/IEC replay switch.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Technics
RS-1506US

Tracks
Quarter-track record; quarter + half replay
Speed
3¾ / 7½ / 15 ips
Reels
10½-inch

Offers a different recording head format from RS-1500US. Original specification is NAB.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProsumerVintage

Technics
RS-1700

Tracks
Quarter-track stereo; autoreverse
Speed
3¾ / 7½ / 15 ips
Reels
10½-inch

Autoreverse convenience adds transport and head-system complexity. Confirm both directions operate correctly.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Otari
MX-5050 family

Tracks
Many two- and four-track variants
Speed
Version dependent
Reels
Check exact variant

The suffix matters: identify the installed headblock, EQ options and actual speed configuration.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Studer
A810

Tracks
Configurable professional headblocks
Speed
Configuration dependent
Reels
Check fitted transport

A highly configurable studio machine. Verify width, heads, firmware, EQ setup and measured transport condition.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Telefunken
M15A

Tracks
Configuration dependent
Speed
Check machine and manual
Reels
Check configuration

Studio transport requiring space and specialist support. Verify electronics, head format and installation.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalRebuilt

Ampex
ATR-102

Tracks
Configurable mastering platform
Speed
Configuration dependent
Reels
Check rebuild specification

Specialist rebuilds remain available. Obtain a written specification, head condition report and service quotation.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Stellavox
SP-series

Tracks
Headblock dependent
Speed
Configuration dependent
Reels
Portable / adapter dependent

A specialist portable route. Exact headblock, electronics and reel-extension system must be identified before purchase.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ContemporaryCurrent

Ballfinger
M 063 MK2

Tracks
¼- or ½-inch half-track options
Speed
7½ / 15 / 30 ips
Reels
Up to 30 cm

Manufacturer lists selectable replay NAB/CCIR and recorder or playback-only choices. Confirm ordered options.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ContemporaryCurrent

Analog Audio Design
TP-1100

Tracks
¼-inch half-track stereo
Speed
7½ / 15 / 30 ips
Reels
Up to 30 cm

Playback-only. Manufacturer specifies selectable NAB/IEC and 320 / 514 nWb/m replay settings.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ContemporaryCurrent

Revox
B77 MK III

Tracks
Confirm current ordered specification
Speed
Confirm current specification
Reels
Confirm supplied adapters

New model with selectable CCIR/NAB and balanced XLR connections. Manufacturer listing: €16,995; confirm destination and options.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ContemporaryCurrent

Metaxas & Sins
Papillon / Tourbillon

Tracks
Confirm ordered model
Speed
Confirm ordered model
Reels
Confirm ordered model

Distinct contemporary designs. Papillon operating notes describe a 15 ips, 468-formula standard setup; request a dated specification.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Tascam
BR-20

Tracks
Half-track stereo; NAB / DIN / TC versions
Speed
7½ / 15 ips standard
Reels
10½-inch NAB

The original manual distinguishes regional EQ, head-width and timecode versions. Inspect the exact suffix and configuration.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
ProfessionalVintage

Nagra
IV-S family

Tracks
Stereo; variant dependent
Speed
Check exact version and manual
Reels
Portable; extension dependent

Official Nagra operating and service documents remain available. Identify pilot/timecode variants and any reel-extension accessories.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗
DomesticVintage

Pioneer
RT-909

Tracks
Quarter-track stereo; autoreverse replay
Speed
3¾ / 7½ ips
Reels
Check original manual

A domestic stereo collection candidate. The original operating instructions specify 9.5 / 19 cm/s; it is not a 15 ips half-track master-copy player.

Buying & budget notes

Use the ownership budget guide. Vintage entries are candidates for inspection, not price-ranked recommendations. Request a dated quotation for this exact machine, including service, heads, warranty and delivery.

Reference / configuration guidance ↗

Read the references

Revox — B77 MK III ↗Ballfinger — M 063 MK2 ↗Analog Audio Design — TP-1100 ↗Metaxas & Sins — Papillon ↗Studer — original A810 manuals archive ↗Akai — original 4000DS operator manual ↗Otari — original 1991 series data sheet ↗Technics — original RS-series brochure ↗Telefunken — original manuals archive ↗ATR Service — ATR-102 restoration ↗Philips — original N4522 service manual ↗Tascam — original BR-20 manual ↗Nagra — IV-S and official manuals ↗Pioneer — original RT-909 instructions ↗