In the year 60 to 80, we never think about changing or replace heads to our tape deck because we don't have chance to play with pro machine, today although not too many people go back to tape play maybe only those Hi End guys will. but we can have pro machine in a real bargain price today but need service for condition.
There are different models of head that A80 can be used, butterfly is the best sounding one, by chance we can get a brand new one from Ebay under $200, to service heads has to move out the head block for replacing a new or relap head, after install, to set the head in position is a big job and need gauge for Studer's standard, I watch the whole process but took no pictures so I draw to show how it was done
Place the head block with new heads on a piece of marble plate, that is sure for a flat surface, a gauge block for the machine's model (the service guy got a whole set for all models of Studer's product) and a blade for the size of tape, face to the head in right angle , a touch light from behind that can check the vertical of head's surface by the gap of light and adjust also the height of the head check by the blade's top and bottom edge
After adjustment of vertical and height, put the head block back to the machine, add some marker ink to the head's surface and ran tape, by the remained ink of mark for adjust the twisting angle of head, finally a test tape, sig-gen and double-beam scope for azimuth and the rest
Total job hours around 2 to 3 hours plus traveling ( rate $100/h)
Do we need to do that ? we can just install by ourselves adjusting by eye, maybe sound come out not in big different, but for long lasting of the head is another story
In looking for best of the best sound so many things have to be leaned then fun will come later
tony ma
There are different models of head that A80 can be used, butterfly is the best sounding one, by chance we can get a brand new one from Ebay under $200, to service heads has to move out the head block for replacing a new or relap head, after install, to set the head in position is a big job and need gauge for Studer's standard, I watch the whole process but took no pictures so I draw to show how it was done
Place the head block with new heads on a piece of marble plate, that is sure for a flat surface, a gauge block for the machine's model (the service guy got a whole set for all models of Studer's product) and a blade for the size of tape, face to the head in right angle , a touch light from behind that can check the vertical of head's surface by the gap of light and adjust also the height of the head check by the blade's top and bottom edge
After adjustment of vertical and height, put the head block back to the machine, add some marker ink to the head's surface and ran tape, by the remained ink of mark for adjust the twisting angle of head, finally a test tape, sig-gen and double-beam scope for azimuth and the rest
Total job hours around 2 to 3 hours plus traveling ( rate $100/h)
Do we need to do that ? we can just install by ourselves adjusting by eye, maybe sound come out not in big different, but for long lasting of the head is another story
In looking for best of the best sound so many things have to be leaned then fun will come later
tony ma