Revox B215


The Revox B215 is a cassette deck manufactured by Studer from 1985 until around 1990. A professional version with different control layout and audio path electronics was manufactured concurrently as the Studer A721, a late improved version was marketed as Revox B215S. Due to very high price for a consumer model, and exceptionally good mechanical performance and durability, the B215 was used primarily by professional customers - radio stations, recording studios and real-time cassette duplicators.
The B125 used a proven, reliable four-motor tape transport derived from the earlier B710 model. The B215 differed from B710 and competing decks of the period in having unusual, computer-like control panel and elaborate automation performed by three Philips microcontrollers. The deck was equipped with automatic tape calibration, microcontroller-assisted setting of recording levels, and non-volatile memory. Objective, independently measured and verified specifications of the Revox matched or surpassed those of the best competing decks; comparative tests placed B215 on the same level as the Nakamichi Dragon and far above the flagship models by ASC, Harman Kardon, Tandberg or TEAC. Reviewers praised the Revox for exemplary mechanical quality and expected durability of its tape transport, and criticized it for lower-than-expected dynamic range and shortcomings in usability.

Development and production

, a privately owned Swiss manufacturer of professional audio equipment, began development of cassette recorders in late 1970-s. Willy Studer was reluctant to diversify into highly competitive cassette deck market; for most of the 1970-s the company's experience in cassette technology was limited to reliable but low-fidelity classroom equipment. However, decline of reel-to-reel recorder sales, commercial success of Nakamichi and "designer models" by Bang & Olufsen, coupled with pressure from within the company, persuaded Studer to invest into the new format. Marino Ludwig, designer of the Revox B77 reel-to-reel recorder, examined the best cassette decks on the market and advised Studer on the course of action. Studer agreed with the proposal and appointed Ludwig chief of the cassette project, on condition that the reputation of Studer and Revox brands will not be compromised in any way.
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In September 1980 Studer presented its first cassette deck, the Revox B710; in 1981 it was supplanted with nearly identical Revox B710 MKII, which added Dolby C noise reduction, and in 1982 the company introduced a professional version, the Studer A710, equipped with balanced inputs and outputs. In the United States, the B710 MKII was priced at 1995 dollars, far above the rival Nakamichi ZX7 but also far below the flagship Nakamichi 1000ZXL.
The three-head B710 was designed and built to the standards of professional reel-to-reel decks; even its faceplate and controls were borrowed from the B77 recorder. The B710 stood apart from the competition in having a true, four-motor direct-drive tape transport: each of two capstans and each of two reels was driven with its own electric motor without any intermediate belts, gears or idlers. There was not a single brake pad, belt, pulley or cogwheel in the whole transport; even the tape counter was driven from optoelectronic encoder on the reel motors. Mechanically separate recording and replay heads were individually adjustable, however, there was no user-accessible azimuth control. The B710 was winning in mechanical department, but lacking in functionality; most importantly, the deck lacked user-accessible tape calibration controls. Overall, the design was highly conservative. Ludwig wrote that the development coincided with a flood of new features introduced by the Japanese, and only a few, like automatic tape type recognition, could be implemented within the deadline. Untested novelties that could compromise the product, like dynamic biasing, were rejected from the start.
In 1984 Ludwig and Meinrad Liebert designed a successor to B710, the B215. The first pre-production batch was assembled in the end of 1984; first production decks were shipped to dealers in the beginning of 1985. A professional derivative, the Studer A721, was very similar to B215 but was equipped with balanced inputs and outputs, and traditional rotary volume controls in place of up-down buttons. The press placed B215 on par with the best competing decks, rating its sound quality as high, or almost as high as that of the new reference deck - the Nakamichi Dragon. In the United States the B215 was initially priced at "only" 1390 dollars, lower than either the B710, or the Dragon. "Affordable" pricing and rugged transport made the B215 the deck of choice for real-time cassette duplicators; for example, by April 1986 Vermont-based Revolution Audio operated a fleet of 200 B215s, 24 hours a day, five days a week, and planned to purchase another 200. German Audio magazine used a stack of ten B215's to duplicate its own test cassettes.
Ludwig wrote that the decrease in price reflected cost savings through the use of larger printed circuit boards and automated assembly. Introduction of the B215 also coincided with record low Swiss franc rate, which hit an all-time minimum in February and March 1985. Subsequently, Swiss currency rate consistently increased, and so did the Revox prices in North America; in 1989 the B215 was priced at 2400 dollars, in 1991 at 2600 dollars. The improved, cosmetically redesigned B215S, introduced in 1989, was priced at 28002900 dollars - more than the Dragon, and three to four times more than contemporary flagship decks by Onkyo, Pioneer or Sony.
By this time Willy Studer had retired; in 1990 he sold the company and in 1994 it became a subsidiary of Harman International. New Revox cassette decks made under Harman management, the consumer H11 and the professional C115, had nothing in common with the Revoxes of the past, being rebadged Philips FC-60 / Marantz SD-60 decks. Classic flagship decks of the 1980s like the B215, the Dragon or the Tandberg 3014 were discontinued without replacement. Further improvements in cassette sound, if possible at all, required substantial investment in research, but corporate resources were already committed to digital.

Design and operation

Appearance and ergonomics

The B215, like all B-series Revoxes, is larger than typical hi-fi component of the period. The enclosure measures 45 cm × 15 cm × 33 cm, and is a standard Studer pressed steel box with two internal stiffener rails that carry the tape transport. Front panel design follows B200-series styling introduced in 1984 with the release of B225 CD player. Tape transport and recording mode controls, placed on the upper aluminum strip, are visually set aside from secondary buttons. Loading the cassette into an open transport is performed in two moves: first, insert the upper edge of a cassette, and second, press the bottom of the cassette until it locks in place. It presents no problem in everyday use. Open tape transport is less prone to azimuth skew than typical closed-lid transports, and simplifies routine cleaning and demagnetization.
Recording levels, recording balance and headphone volume are set electronically, with pairs of up/down buttons. There are no microphone inputs; designers deemed those unnecessary for a consumer product. Panel marking, according to Audio magazine reviewers, is exemplary: black letters on brushed aluminum and white letters on dark-grey plactic are large enough and easily readable at any angle of view. Main backlit liquid-crystal display, on the contrary, is too small, too dim and too hard to read. Another usability failure is the absence of front-panel control lights, even the critical 'Record On' red light is missing. These quirks make it difficult to use the Revox in a darkened room. Reviewers also noted overall inconvenience of using digital control buttons instead of rotary potentiometers.

Tape transport

Typical double-capstan tape transport of the 1980-s employed direct drive only for the leading capstan. The trailing capstan was belt-driven at a slightly slower speed to provide tape tensioning inside the closed loop. This ensured tight contact between all three heads and the tape, and mechanically decoupled the tape from the cassette's shell. A Revox deck works differently, directly driving each capstan with its own motor, equipped with a massive flywheel and a 150-pole speed sensor. The speed of each motor is governed by a phase-locked loop, both loops are synchronized with a common crystal oscillator. According to Studer, each capstan was machined to 1 μm precision, to ensure very low wow and flutter. In 1985 the only other deck with similar direct-drive arrangement was the five-motor Nakamichi Dragon.
Two other motors of the B215, buried deep inside the mechanism, directly drive the cassette's reels. Motors, capstans and reel spindles are mounted on two diecast chassis plates, tightly bolted together; heads and pinch rollers are mounted on a moving diecast subchassis. All four motors are braked electromagnetically; there are no mechanical brake pads or friction wheels. Autostop is triggered with an optoisolator which senses presence of transparent leader tape. Winding a 90-minute tape takes no more than 75 seconds, at constant linear tape speed. If, for any reason, the microcontroller detects abnormally high tape tension, it instantly reduces winding speed. At the end of the reel, tape speed is smoothly decreased to avoid end-of-tape impact. According to Howard Roberson of Audio magazine, operation of a new B215 transport "...was very quiet, even in play mode - perhaps thequietest of any deck... tested to date... very well constructed, with a definite look of long-term reliability".
The B215 uses sendust-and-ferrite heads made by Canon. Unlike the B710, the B215's recording and replay heads and an isolation wedge between them are tightly sandwiched together and may not be adjusted individually. Exact widths of magnetic gaps remain undisclosed; quite obviously, the Revox used narrow-gap head for replay and wide-gap head for playback. Reviewers of Audio and Modern Electronics noted exemplary low phase difference between left and right channels, which was a sign of very good alignment of recording and replay gaps and vanishingly low relative azimuth error.

Audio path

B215 signal path was designed, from ground up, for operation with Dolby C noise reduction. The owner's manual advised that "selecting noise reduction for new records is simple: use Dolby C". The deck uses four Hitachi HA12058 Dolby B/C ICs in "double Dolby" configuration with independent encoding and decoding channels. Tape type is detected automatically, but the user can override and select tape type manually. This includes an option of recording Type II tapes with 120 μs equalization, which may be preferable for recording signals with strong treble content, at the cost of increased noise.
The B215 replay head amplifier used discrete JFET input and bipolar second stage; it drives the equalization stage - an active filter built around an operational amplifier in inverting configuration. Subtle phase control networks in the active filter were tuned to best possible step response; Ludwig wrote that they enabled "square-wave reproduction off the tape of truly professional quality". The signal then passes through a CMOS switch into the Dolby decoder, and then through another CMOS switch to output buffer stage. A third set of CMOS switches engages to select 70 μs time constant instead of default 120 μs; as a result, during replay the signal passes through two or three CMOS switches, plus the switches inside the Dolby decoder. The switches inevitably inject their own distortion products into the signal; their performance may be improved by replacement of stock 14000-series switches for later, low-impedance ICs. Line output level is fixed and is unusually "hot" for consumer audio. Headphone output has eight selectable volume settings, which is sufficient for practical use.
Recording audio path, which occupies its own printed board, is far more complex. There are three electronic level controls, wired in series. Continuously variable fade-in and fade-out is performed by an analogue transconductance amplifier. Signal levels at the input of Dolby encoder and at its output are controlled by 8-bit multiplying DACs. Finally, a CMOS multiplexer, coupled to a low-Q bandpass filter centered on 4 kHz, selects the desired midrange equalization setting. Yet another set of 8-bit multiplying DACs, coupled to a non-defeatable Dolby HX Pro circuit, sets the desired bias current. Dolby dynamic biasing, according to Stereo Review, improves treble saturation levels by about 6 dB.

Microcontrollers and embedded software

The deck's control functions are spread between three identical Philips MAB8440 microcontrollers, clocked with a common crystal. Each microcontroller carries of program memory and 128Bytes of random-access memory. The first microcontroller polls faceplate keyboard, infrared remote control port, and an optically decoupled RS-232 port; the second one controls the motors and calculates real-time tape counter values. The third microcontoller manages digital-to-analog converters, CMOS switches, multiplexers and recording level meter; it executes tape calibration program, and stores current settings in non-volatile memory. The EEPROM is updated at every transition to standby mode, or when the user presses a dedicated Store button. Microcontrollers, display and DAC drivers are connected with an I²C serial bus which was introduced by Philips in the early 1980-s; according to Ludwig, a standardized bus was a prerequisite for a project of such size.
The B215 is equipped with a unique real-time tape counter. After the user loads a cassette and presses "play" button, embedded software estimates current tape position by comparing angular speeds of cassette reels. Initial estimation takes 58 seconds. The deck also estimates complete playing time of a cassette, albeit with uncertainty; to decrease the margin of error, the user can set playing time manually to 46, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. With this prompt, according to Audio magazine reviewers, absolute error does not exceed 1 minute for a C90 cassette.
The B125's transport control software has a peculiar quirk that precluded complete rewinding of tape. After the deck completes rewinding, or after the user inserts an already rewound cassette, the B215 checks for presence of opaque magnetic tape in the tape channel. If the optoelectronic sensor detects transparent leader tape, the deck slowly winds the tape forward until the sensor encounters opaque tape; this feature cannot be manually overridden. The deck is now ready for replay or recording, however, performing auto-calibration at the very start of magnetic tape may yield incorrect settings, and Studer recommended manually winding the tape forward before calibration.

Tape calibration

By 1985 tape calibration, absent in the Revox B710, became de facto industry standard feature for top-of-the-line decks. Reel-to-reel recorders did not need it because quarter-inch tape technology developed slowly, tapes on the market had very close magnetic and electroacoustical properties, and because high-speed recording was by design less sensitive to changes in tape properties. Cassette tape technology, on the contrary, developed rapidly, and newly designed premium formulations consistently differed from IEC references or the older, cheaper tapes. The problem was already present in 1983: the B710, aligned at the factory to TDK SA-X ferricobalt Type II tape, had a pronounced treble droop with pure chrome IEC Type II reference. Meinrad Liebert criticized the IEC for failing to impose strict standards: the organization simply followed the market, periodically adapting its set of reference tapes to arbitrarily chosen "industry averages". Unchecked spread of incompatible cassettes made traditional fixed-bias decks almost unusable for recording; this, according to Liebert, explained sudden demand for calibration features that did not exist in the 1970-s. The Revox design team opted for automated calibration, although then prevailing manual calibration was not only cheaper, but also more robust. A human operator has an inherent advantage in handling inevitable dropouts, transients and slow fluctuations of the tape's sensitivity. Fully automatic calibration often failed to handle random irregularities, and could generate different "optimum points" for the same tape.
Of three or four calibration strategies available, Liebert chose the most flexible and robust constant treble equalization approach - adjusting bias and recording level while keeping recording channel equalization unchanged, with an additional frequency response adjustment at around 4kHz. Thus, unlike more common two-tone arrangement, the Revox used three test tones. Although Studer preferred to name this function alignment, it only affects recording path electronics, and does not perform any mechanical alignment. In spring of 1985 calibration sequence was reverse-engineered by Audio magazine testers, two years later Liebert published first-hand description of the algorithm:
The B215 adjusts bias and sensitivity separately in each channel, midrange equalization is performed simultaneously in both channels. Bias and sensitivity are set with 8-bit digital-to-analog converters using binary search algorithm, so each of six adjustments takes up only eight elementary measurements. At 400 Hz each measurement takes around 0,4 s: 0,1 s to advance the tape from recording head gap to replay head, and around 0.3 s to settle down the detector. At 17 kHz measurement takes even longer time because test tone is recorded in short 120ms bursts to suppress unwanted crosstalk from the recording head to the replay head. The complete test sequence, according to Liebert, takes around 25s; independent reviewers quoted even lower time of around 20s. This was still much longer than typical 48 seconds achieved by other auto-calibration decks of the same generation, too close to subjective limit of 30s.

Tests and reviews

Independent measurements

Specifications published by Studer were highly conservative and did not reveal the deck's true potential. Direct comparison with Japanese competitors was impossible, especially in tape transport parameters. For example, the B215's wow and flutter rating of 0.1% is a maximum value interpreted according to DIN 45507 / IEC 386, while the competitors usually provided far lesser root mean square numbers. Independent tests made by the press in the 1980-s measured from 0.01% to 0.042% RMS, and from 0.016% to 0.07% maximum. Even the highest RMS value of 0.042% was considered "remarkably low"; the B215 either exceeded the competition, or tied with the Nakamichi Dragon. Craig Stark of Stereo Review admitted that the figures were so close to the limits of test instruments that any measured differences between the decks in this class were probably immaterial. Long-term absolute speed, typically for all quartz-controlled double-capstan transports, was consistently 0.20.3% faster than standard, and almost insensitive to fluctuations in mains voltage.
Dynamic range of the B215, understood as the difference between A-weighted bias noise level and maximum output level at 400 Hz, was on par with the Tandberg 3014, but consistently worse than that of the Dragon or the Onkyo2900. The worst-case dynamic range, measured with quality Type I tape without noise reduction and spectral weighting, equalled only compared to the Dragon's. Both decks had about the same noise floor, governed by the tape hiss rather electronics; the Revox lost due to lower maximum output levels. According to Audio and Stereo Review tests, with Type I an Type IV tapes the B215 reached 3% distortion at only 34dB above the Dolby level, while the Dragon could record and reproduce Type IV tapes all the way to +10dB. Howard Roberson of Audio suggested that narrow overload margin of the Revox was a price paid for its wide frequency response.
B215 user manual specified frequency response of 3018000Hz for TypeI tapes and 3020000Hz for TypesII and IV. Again, independent tests revealed that performance far exceeded Studer's conservative specifications. Low-level frequency response, measured by Audio magazine at -20 dB relative to Dolby level, extends from 9 to 23100 Hz for Type I ant Type IV tapes, and up to 24500 Hz for Type II tape. At Dolby level, where frequency response is limited mostly by tape saturation, rather than the deck, the Revox measured 2314100Hz for TypeI, 2316000Hz for TypeII and 2417000Hz for Type IV. Use of DolbyC extends apparent upper boundary at Dolby level to 2123kHz. Overall, Revox treble extension is lower than the record set by the Nakamichi 1000ZXL but is typical for all flagship models of mid-1980s. Significance of this parameter was often overstated by hi-fi enthusiasts and consumer-oriented press; professionals did not rate it as important because any professional deck easily exceeded the 20 kHz mark. Quality of calibration, which is a prerequisite for good treble response, was rated very high; the B215 easily "erased" differences between tapes as different as BASF CR-M and TDK SA.
Low frequency response of tapes recorded and replayed on the B215 has prominent comb-like pattern below 30 Hz. These "head bumps", indicating strong contour effect, appear only during recording. Replay frequency response, measured with test tapes, is exemplary flat, on par with the Nakamichi Dragon, and noticeably better than Tandberg 3014.

Overall evaluation

Reviewers of 1985-1988 unanimously gave the B215 excellent marks, particularly for the quality of its tape transport. Len Feldman of Modern Electronics wrote that "... on an overall basis... it is, truly, a Rolls-Royce among cassette recorders. Its marque evades prestige. Moreover, it's built to last, and to go on meeting or exceeding all of its published specifications after many years of use".
In comparative tests by Stereo Review and Audio, the B215 was ranked one of the two best decks on the market, the other being the Nakamichi Dragon. The B215 surpassed the Dragon in mechanical department, having a simpler, robust, durable tape transport. The B215 was losing to the Dragon in dynamic range and subjective level and spectrum of noise; other subjectively detected differences in sonic signatures were insignificant and could be interpreted in favor of either contestant. Sonically, both B215 and Dragon surpassed equally expensive ASC and Tandberg decks and much cheaper flagship models by Harman Kardon, Onkyo and TEAC.
The Dragon had an edge over the B215 and all other competitors in its automatic azimuth correction system. The Dragon could easily "digest" tapes recorded on other, often misaligned, equipment. Its six-channel, azimuth-sensing replay head remained a unicorn, an unprecedented pinnacle of cassette technology. Apart from a short-lived Marantz effort, no competitor ever tried to replicate it. Production and aftermarket servicing of azimuth-sensing heads proved too difficult even for Nakamichi, and instead of developing the Dragon lineage, the company began production of unidirectional auto-reversing decks that physically flipped the cassette instead of reversing the transport.

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