What is the average price of a fully restored 102 machine 1/4 inch half track from ATR going for? How do you feel it compares to a Studer A820 or A80 machine.
They generally go for about !4000-18000. I prefer the ATR 102 to either of the Studers. The ATRs just sound better. The Studer A820 has the slickest transport mechanism of them all, but there is a lot that can go wrong with them. Between the A820 and the A80, I prefer the sonics of the A80 (RCMKII). Some more knowledgeable than me in terms of the electronics say it is because the A80 RCMKII does not have op-amps. If you go with outboard after-market output electronics that would negate the op-amps.
Now let's be clear, all these machines represent the best of what is available for tape playback.
a big issue is that support for the ATR machines is more accessible in North America. there are places where there are Studer techs, but parts and help is more challenging. but if you need to get the Studer fixed it can be done.
I've compared these things 'til I'm blue in the face. For me, the Studer A80RC MkII is the one to beat.... stock! I've had 3 A820's in here as well as 3 ATR's. Two of the ATR's had the Aria electronics. Never liked them.
As Mike, Jonathan and Larry have said, "good" Studers in the U.S. are like the holy grail. I use the Doshi 3.0 outboard electronics on two of mine. The other has modified internal cards. It's just another flavor. The only time I've liked the ATR is playing Nirvanna or Pearl Jam!!
They generally go for about !4000-18000. I prefer the ATR 102 to either of the Studers. The ATRs just sound better. The Studer A820 has the slickest transport mechanism of them all, but there is a lot that can go wrong with them. Between the A820 and the A80, I prefer the sonics of the A80 (RCMKII). Some more knowledgeable than me in terms of the electronics say it is because the A80 RCMKII does not have op-amps. If you go with outboard after-market output electronics that would negate the op-amps.
Now let's be clear, all these machines represent the best of what is available for tape playback.
...As far as the sound of the stock A-820, if you have the optional 'trafoless' audio cards (transformerless), then I think it is on par with the ATR. one of my A-820's does have those cards. but on this level of RTR master recorders it's likely you would have outboard electronics of some sort. I use the King Cello circuit for both my machines.
How do you feel it compares to a Studer A820 or A80 machine.
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