Audio Proz Service and Sales

I have to tell people this bad news all the time—the heads are glass ferrite and are impossible to find or replace (one reason why I seldom actually resell these Akai GX machines as working). I should spend time to find an appropriate retrofit, but the equalization bias is specific to these heads. So it is a difficult situation. Your only option is to send the heads to someone, maybe JRF, who can do a very special polishi...

Q)I need to get one in order to transfer some tapes to a more accessible format (DVD). I am somewhat familiar with the Sony line and hoping to get an SL-HF900 only because I know it was a top of the line deck in the last run of machines.
1) Are there any servicing issues?
2) Are there other machines to consider? (I need HiFi)

A)Yes, these are rare to find and expensive if found. These machines break and when fixed, tend to...

Q) I am looking for the best set of vintage speakers by either KLH or AR to couple with a Macintosh receiver ca 1970s. I have some 5s which I like, but I want to add another pair. Would you recommend KLH 6s or 20s or which model for the best sound possible? Also how do you compare AR with KLH.

A) AR and KLH are very similar in many ways. Later version AR possibly have better tweeters. The real old speakers either have limi...

Q) In your opinion how would these speakers work as rears in a theater system?

A) These are OK. People want them because of style appeal. Infact the speaker is a common woofer tweeter combination hidden inside an unserviceable sealed metal basket. The units I had were the better peerless dome and better CTS woofer, so they should be reliable. Others had cheaper parts. Ohm products varied tremendously with age and marketing...

Q) Hi some time back I purchased a pair of Electro-Voice Interface A speakers on E-bay less the equalizer. I hooked them up and they sounded fine but I seem to remember them having more bass response (I am basing this on how I remember them sounding 30 or so years ago). I finally saw another one on E-bay again last week or so but lost the bid, I have two questions: first, do you feel this unit is required for the speakers...

Q) I'm looking for a Marantz CDR 600 or a Phillips CDR 101. Do you have one or know where I might find one of these old units??

A) In all honesty I would have to strongly advise against looking for one of these machines. They were notorious for high failure rate, and parts are difficult to find. Seldom is a cost effective service possible. Philips owns Marantz and sets the policy. The only reason why a Marantz is listed h...

Q) What Are Some Prices for the Loopers?

A) The EH 2880 Looper is typically $500 new. Electrix Repeater is typically $600 used to $900 new. The other looper prices should be available from any major market retailer, we simply follow current catalog prices, quotes (which are all within a few dollars of each other) and then order in for customer. To be honest I would need more info as to what exact function the looper devic...

Q) I am interested in the B2 Pro. I want to create a U87 clone with my original K87 capsule. Can I get a good U87 clone with your mod and changing the stock capsule to my K87 capsule?

A) Sorry, I don't know ...it won't be the same, can't be ! In fact some china capsules are actually better ! The real issue is the bias volts on the capsule , internal "meg ohm" load & high frequency trim capacitor as well as gain circuit ...

Q) I am trying to find a pinch roller for my Tascam 244, so far without success. One fellow out in California may have them, but it will not be for another sixty days minimum. Might you have one available?

A) We request you sen us the old frame, which I rebuild carefully for $28 plus return shipping. I own a 244 myself and rollers are slightly special (high speed use, wow and flutter). Even nice looking rollers the rubber...

Q) How many watts is the JVC RX 550 V?

A) About 40 to 50 watts of average power. The amplifier is infact designed like Adcom or other real HiFi amps. I have sold a lot of JVC product. It is a very reliable era of product, but it is important to get low use machines so that buttons and switches are nice. Our product is clean and has low use time. That is why we call it in #9 or #8 condition. These amplifiers were simple "hi...

Q) I have a problem with a Technics SV-DA10. It plays well, but is unable to rewind (except when the pinchroller is engaged, like when using the jog/shuttle). Would you have an idea?

A) The problem may be:
1. The brake shoe for either geared tape hub is loose, falling appart and interfering with the tape hub. I have simply replaced these with a proper sized piece of very fine felt or soft cardboard glued on with a tiny b...

Q) Do you sell aftermarket Electrix Repeater Power Supplies?

A) Yes, infact others are asking for these as well. Incredibly to do it with nice cable, box, and supply it will be $140. I need them too, but now I can only fabricate from parts and pieces. I need the somewhat special cable from existing supplies. I have also opened and fixed original supplies. This is $88 to do (small board, some special parts to fit "switching...

Q) Would like to hear your best price on the American R331 microphone you have listed.

A) Actually, I don't have any left in stock now but had many previously here. Be aware now so many better, correct, lower noise, working ribbon microphones for less money now exist. I would not recommend the R331 now for quality of performance, although I do have some original boxes for vintage collectors who indeed pay a serious premium...

Q) Shielding is crappy. I hear radio all the time. Is there anything I can do to improve this?

A) It’s not exactly the shielding. Some studios have troubles, some not. The problem is endemic to most powered monitors due to difficult ground, 120v ground loops and troublesome incorrect balanced cables and other situations between devices. It’s not the “shielding” although it could help to isolate and specifically shield the...

Q) I recently bought a vintage Scott 388-B receiver that plays very well except for the FM I can't get the multiplex board to light the stereo light. The voltages seem ok at the test points on the board. Can you help? Thanks.

A) The unit needs a real, complete service. Unfortunately, units of this age will require many capacitors throughout the unit to be replaced, this is a certainty, and with a proper tuner alignment ma...

Q) What mods do you do to the Behringer EX1000 and Edison? What is the main differences between the ex1000 and ex1200? I used to own the ex1000 an am interested in getting one or the 1200. Thank you in advance for answering this.

A) I modify the EX1, to be honest I seldom see the EX1000 or 1200, but I must assume it’s a similar machine with similar mod requirements. It’s a good design except the LED and it’s circuits which...

Q) What is different about the dbx 3bx pro... is it the ds series?

A) DBX expanders are all conceptually the same. User controlled capability of creating more dynamics and lessening the noise floor (of vinyl and tape) by "expanding" the music's dynamic range, leaving the noise floor further down in level. Old 3bx, big knobs and LED's in 2 rack space box, are discreet circuit 3 bands of VCA to separately improve bass, middl...

Q) How does the ADA MP1 Classic model compare to the modded MP1's? Do you repair them? Is the ADA foot controller the way to go with these?

A) The Modified ADA are changed to sound less "metal" on too many programs and more control is available to enhance regular electric and acoustic guitar sounds, but it still can do the “buzz saw” metal sound no problem. The MP1 is a device which obviously intends to use the tubes to c...

Q) Hi there, I was wondering if you guys mod the single channel Bellari MP 110? If you do, how much? I would like to replace the OP AmP and the transformer. Which op amp and transformer would you put in there? Please let me know and thank you for your time.

A) We can modify the Bellari MP 110, but the specific mod you are asking for would not be something we would recommend. There would not be any obvious change in sound, ...

Q) Between the Symetrix 522 and a pair of 501s, which would be better for vocals, guitars, and bass guitar? Why such a wide price range for the 501s you have for sale? Can the 501s you have for sale be master-slaved for stereo?

A) These compressors are almost the same but the 501 will have more adjustment controls and range over the 522. Although sharing the same VCA, the 522 does not have as sophisticated RMS circuit (whi...

Q) Would be so kind to tell me which machine is better for recording and listening tapes? Revox B77 or Teac A3440?

A) Yes, one of my favorite kinds of questions, but strangely, a tough one to answer. Here’s the strange truth. Both decks at this age would need cleaning and calibration. If basic service is done, the Teac would win out mechanically, but not by much. Yet the Revox would be the better sonically, but not by mu...

Q) Can you please list for me the equipment you use when performing an FM alignment?

A) Well, I have lots of test equipment. Sountech, Leader, Tektronix, etc. but if you’re asking if I’m qualified by the equipment I own that would be misleading. Truth is, tuner design is somewhat technical and mystic art. Often times I alter tuners to improve the tuner shielding, grounding, stub tune the 300 Ohm Balun Antennae matcher and ...

Q) I just purchased a Pioneer rt-1050 reel to reel tape deck. I've found that the speed is very unstable. Is this a common problem with this unit and can it be caused by non-manufacturer power chord which this one came with?

A) No. These are great machines but obviously they are 35 years old now. The problem is the unit is in need of maintenance. (possibly new drive belt, oil of motor and mechanism, the speed switch itself...

Q) What do you think of the Nikko Beta 30 Preamp?

A) The truth is any reasonably well designed preamp, regardless of what op amps or circuitry is in it will sound OK or excellent or terrible depending upon the expectations of the consumer. This preamp as well as many other better designed Japanese preamps were remarkable if careful gain staging to keep the noise down and quality components, switches, capacitors, etc. were ...

Q) I am running an old solid state receiver an older turntable have been playing much more acoustic music in the last year. A friend who is a real high-end tube nut says if I want to hear vinyl played back well, I need to consider at least running a tube pre-amp. He had a couple of recommendations of pre's that he believes are well designed for turntables. As I found, there is a 'pre-amp in' input pair on the back of the ...

Q) Just found your site and I hope you won't mind answering a question for a real neophyte when it comes to audio.

I have a real thing for the sound of vintage, tube stereos. I first had the experiece of hearing my favorite blue note and verve lps played on a friend's father's system. He's gone now, but I remember being blown away by the warm, lush sound. All I can remember is him saying that he revered the dynaco st-70 ...

Q) I have a pair of ads 810 series 2 a tweeter went out and I got a replacement. Not the stock 3/4 inch softdome though. Do you have any of those available? And I have a curiosity mabe you wouldnt mind answering this for me.(I know its personal preference) If you had only two choices between a/d/s 810 & Polk audio monitor 10 which would you pick? Kinda like Mustang vs Camaro, apples against oranges.

A) I've owned ADS which...

Q) I found a strange old pair of speakers at the dump one day about a year ago. Brought them home, dusted them off, spent about a month killing mildew... They are Walsh 2 speakers, with a Huge crossover in the depths of the cabinet, and a removable "Capsule" containing the drivers. They sounded pretty darn good at first but now the tweeters, buried deep inside the capsule, are beginning to sound fuzzy and the mids need to...

Q) First: I like your web site and I like that it is important to you that you express yourself. When running my own video production biz, once upon a time, I had many of the same feelings about quality and customer relations, etc.. I wish I was the guy who could work with you. I recently puchased a used Odyssey Khatago ampifier. Got a very nice deal. This replaced an Adcom 535. My current Speakers are old (re-edged) Bost...

Q) Would opting for different tubes enhance the mods you make on the Behringer T1952 (Tube Compressor) and which tubes would you recommend?

A) Different tubes changing the sound? Yes and no. Yes a 12AT7 or AU7 would perform differently, but my research (after changing, modifying, listening, testing) shows that the circuit changes greatly over shadow any subtle changes by exchanging the tube and then recalibrating. In fact ...

Q) Hello, I too have one of these DBX DX5's. I love it but did not know it had so much value. I see a lot of recording studios seem to have these. Why are they considered to be so valuable?

A) I try to answer all questions. Obviously our website info makes it clear I am a no nonsense kinda guy (to the best of my abilities) but have a passion for music, sound and what and how it is created and transmitted.

Once upon a time ...