Some people say Ampex recorders are heavy.
They're right.
We build them that way. We have to because of our deep-gap heads. Our heads deliver a higher frequency response much, much longer than the others. So we have to make machines that work accurately for just as long as our heads. Machines that move the tape across the heads at an exact azimuth angle for years. And keep the tape moving at an exact speed. And, to do all that, we have to build our machines heavier.
To keep the tape moving at an exact angle across the heads, we have to keep the heads absolutely rigid. If they move even a fraction, the angle is destroyed and you lose maximum frequency response. To keep this exact angle, we have to diecast our base plate and head bridge. We can't make them out of cut metal or plastic. Die-casting gives us a rigid framework to mount the deep-gap heads on-so they'll stay rigid for years.
To keep the tape moving at an exact speed longer we begin with the hysteresis synchronous motor. We die-cast the flywheel/fan to make it heavier and more perfectly balanced.
Then, we install a dual capstan drive system to insure perfectly smooth head-to-tape contact. It means we use two hard steel capstans-one in front of the heads and the other behind-rather than just one. Some people call this a "gimmick." But it's not. Because, our dual capstan drive eliminates the need for pressure pads. Pressure pads not only wear out your heads, but they wear on tapes too! Then we match the dual capstan drive system with die-cast dynamically-balanced flywheels. It all works to reduce wow and flutter even more-and it works much longer.
All in all, we die-cast over 1/3 of each Ampex unit's weight to make sure critical parts stay precisely aligned. Sure, it adds weight. But with heads so good, you need whole machines just as good. That's one reason Ampex is the heavyweight in the industry.
A case in point: the new Ampex 755A Stereo Deck. Handle it and hear it. We think it's the best buy on the market. You get Sound-on-Sound, Sound-with-Sound, Echo Effect, Monitor, Pause Control, 3 Deep-Gap Heads, Rigid Block Head Suspension, Dual Capstan Drive, and honest performance specs. Suggested list price $249.95 (base included).
Write Ampex Corporation, Consumer Equipment Division, Dept. SQ9, 2201 Lunt Ave., Elk Grove Village, Ill. 60007, for full-color spec sheet on the 755A and a brochure on the entire Ampex line.
AMPEX.
While warranted for three years, Ampex heads have been known to last well over twelve years, based on an average of two hours use per night, every night. See "A Message from the Heads of Ampex," in March, 1969 audio magazines.
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(Audio magazine, 11/1969)
Also see:
Astrocom/Marlux Model 407 tape deck
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