NextGen Studer A80R/C Repro Card

Key Features & Characteristics

Finally: a "Plug & Play" Studer A80 Repro Card that transforms the legendary Studer A80R/C Master Recorder into the world's finest Magnetic Tape Music Reproducer.

All direct-coupled discrete transistor class A circuitry, Repro head input to Front Panel single-ended (RCA) output for the purest possible sound.

Two precision balanced transformerless (TI DRV134) outputs:

Front Panel Repro-only output, entirely separate from the regular A80 un-buffered VU meters/Bridge/Balanced output for lowest distortion and best possible balanced sound
"Standard" A80 output for the legacy VU Meter Bridge, Input- or Repro- selection, Record and Playback volume controls, using existing A80 XLR connectors

No capacitors anywhere in the signal path except for a single high quality precision polypropylene capacitor (Dielectric Absorption <0.05%) to set LF and HF EQ turnover characteristics (NAB/CCIR/AES/OTHR), a single similar polypropylene capacitor to set Repro Head-/Wavelength- Model correction at the Low Speed, and a single similar polypropylene capacitor used in the DC servo. Time-smear effects all but eliminated.

NO shelving or parametric Bass and Treble corrections (i.e. "Tone Controls") employed for EQ adjustment and calibration, realizing near-ideal time domain response.

Available in 15/30 ips and 7.5/15 ips models, each with Four Switch-Selectable wavelength-optimized Equalizations built-in:

15/30 ips NextGen A80 Repro Card: 1) 15 ips: NAB, CCIR, 2) 30 ips: AES, 3) OTHR: CCIR (30 ips), or 10uS (15 or 30 ips), or FLAT (15 & 30 ips)
7.5/15 ips NextGen Repro Card: 1) 7.5 ips: NAB, 2) 15 ips: NAB, CCIR, AES, 3) OTHR: 10uS (15 ips), or FLAT (7.5 & 15 ips)

"OTHR" offers 15 ips AES, 10uS turnover, or speed independent FLAT (i.e. UNEQUALIZED) characteristics as standard offerings. Let us know if you have other EQ requirements.

HS Gain, LF- and HF- EQ calibration adjustments for High Speed (30 or 15 ips), with modeled Bass and Treble corrections applied for Low Speed (15 or 7.5ips) linked to the High Speed calibration settings, and LS Gain.

See the Download section below for further product details.

Questions? Interested in ordering? Click the image and complete the Contact Us form!

Testimonials

"Man, what a transformation! These could even flat eq 20kHz! My audiophile friends were mightily impressed. I COULD NOT BLINDLY TELL WHEN THE $20K OUTBOARD PRE WAS PLAYING!! It's as simple as that. I swear, I don't know how they did it. You owe it to yourself if you have a Studer A8xx series deck."

Bruce B - WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member

"This weekend, I tested your card in my A80RC. It has butterfly head in like-new condition. Already from first listen with XLR connection, your NextGen card sound more natural/lifelike than any of the other 3 repro-head amplification options I have. So much more air and what I believe is correct tonal truth. That was with XLR. Thought that was it, and sure I can live happy with that.

But since you wrote that purist SE connections possibly could bring it even a step further, I finally made a pair of 3-meter silver cable made from a 12-meter length of bare 0,8 mm sterling silver wire.

First a check for noise or hum. Nothing. The system is Constellation Audio Virgo and Centaur mono amplifiers connected to Vivid Audio Giya 2 mk 2 with outboard crossover. I used this in my dedicated music room for long time so I’m used to how it sounds and hear any change. The SE connection bring me yet another step near to being in the room with the musicians. Life-like sound. There is an ease to the sound. The musicians are there with an ease and flow I have not heard before.

An improvement was obvious from the moment yesterday when I played first reel (Somethin ́ Else – Cannonball Adderley), but it kept on growing on me as I continued pass midnight. Until my wife reminded me that we have a Sunday appointment. It is great that you made such an excellent card available."

"After listening further now for more than a month's time, I can say without hesitation that, used with my Studer A80RC, the NextGen A80R/C repro boards balanced out sounds superior to any

other Tape repro I have tried; and yet, without doubt, the reproduction with the purist SE output really surprised me with yet another step of improvement. The tone (klang as we say it) of piano is now better than any I heard. And so is the definition, air and soundstage. It actually feels like the search is over."

Leif H, audionorde.se

NextGen Audio Systems

NextGen Studer A80R/C Repro Card

Key Features & Characteristics

Testimonials

Downloads

NextGen Studer A80R/C Repro Card

Key Features & Characteristics

Testimonials

Downloads

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