Revox A76 (1968–1977)
FM stereo tuner with modular construction, all-silicon circuitry, and precision tuning instruments
Overview
The Revox A76 is a high-end FM stereo tuner built from 1968 to 1977 in three series: MK1 (1968-1971), MK2 (1971-1974), and MK3 (1974-1977). Studer-Revox made it in Switzerland and later in Löffingen, Germany. It was introduced at the 1969 Internationale Funkausstellung in Stuttgart and was part of a premium hi-fi system with the Revox A77 tape recorder and A78 amplifier. The design follows principles from Philip F. Panter's 1965 text on optimal FM reception. For its time the circuitry was advanced, with an all-silicon semiconductor design and a phase-locked loop (PLL) multiplex decoder. It was marketed as a "High Fidelity" component with precise tuning, low distortion, and sturdy modular construction like professional broadcast equipment.
Specifications
| Frequency Range | 87.5 to 108 MHz |
| Antenna Inputs | Buchsen "58" for 240 Ω symmetric antenna line; BNC-Buchse "59" for 60 Ω coaxial line |
| IF Filter | 8 linear-phase resonant IF filters |
| IF Amplifier | 5-stage IF limiter amplifier (with ICs) |
| FM Demodulator | Leitungs-Demodulator (delay-line discriminator) |
| Stereo Decoder | Stereo-Multiplex-Decoder "E" with PLL pilot tone regeneration |
| Semiconductors | 43 silicon semiconductors |
| Main Principle | Superheterodyne with RF stage; IF 10.7 MHz |
| Tuned Circuits | 12 FM circuits |
| Wave Bands | FM Broadcast Band only |
| Power Supply | AC 110 / 130 / 150 / 220 / 240 V |
| Output | 1000 mV |
| Sensitivity | 1.0 µV (FM) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 70 dB (FM) |
| Distortion | 0.2% (FM) |
| Frequency Response | 30 Hz to 15 kHz (FM) |
| Tuning Scale | Analogue |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 415 x 160 x 245 mm / 16.3 x 6.3 x 9.6 inch |
| Net Weight | 7.8 kg / 17 lb 2.9 oz |
| Enclosure | Wooden case, bookshelf unit |
Design
The A76 is built in modules like a professional receiver. The chassis is shielded above and below by perforated metal plates that form a Faraday cage. The boards are flame-retardant FR4 - glass-fiber reinforced in the MK1, and orange, punchable FR4 in the MK3. The front has a CENTER TUNING instrument and a SIGNAL STRENGTH meter. There is also a MULTIPATH display, which is a small red lamp that flashes when signal echoes are detected. The tuner switches automatically between mono and stereo and has discrete audio inputs/outputs for connecting external amplifiers. Inside, there are separate sections for RF input, IF processing, demodulation, pilot tone regeneration, multiplex decoding, display, and power supply.
Context
The A76 was developed because there were few convincing FM receivers available, and its feature set was unmatched among consumer tuners in 1969. It was the flagship of Revox's high-fidelity lineup and matched the A77 tape recorder and A78 amplifier in looks and technology. The MK1 had a silver front panel to match the A50 amplifier. The MK2 (1971-1974) switched to a gray anthracite front with green scale labeling and gray buttons. The MK3 (1974-1977) got aluminum knobs and buttons, white scale markings, and a blue Revox logo on a brushed aluminum panel. It replaced the earlier versions starting in 1974/75.
Market
The original price of the A76 was 1,340.00 DM, rising to 1,500.00 DM for the MK2 at launch. A unit listed on Retrotech Audio was marked as sold at €349.00, with a technical condition rating of 10/10 and cosmetic condition of 8.5/10.
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