Stellavox SP7

[Deleted User]

Hello,
I've been using the SP7 to play some tapes and thought a photo would be interesting.
Cheers, Ken

erniejade

WOW that has been a long time since i have seen that type of unit. LOL great pic!

tonyb

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Hello,
I've been using the SP7 to play some tapes and thought a photo would be interesting.
Cheers, Ken

Pretty cool, looks like it's built very well. I used to be into that stuff way back when but maybe Ken, you could expand on the SQ compared to vinyl,cd's, for those who have never heard.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
This is a very unique deck in that it was originally used as a portable, on location tape recorder. Used in recording sound tracks for anything where a very accurate recording needs to be made. The secret seems to be the recording and playback modules that the company used. The modules are encapsulated, but a couple of people have been able to determine what's inside. So, somebody came up with the idea of adapting a plate to the chassis that would allow for 7" and 10.5" reels to be used. The deck will play any speed up to 30" per second. The head block can be exchanged for any configuration the user wants. The one in the photo is set up for 15" per second, IEC playback EQ.
This is what is required to play back the Tape Project tapes. Tape Project also provides an alignment tape to help set the output levels and check the frequency response. I very carefully set both of the output levels to 1.5V at 0 VU. The frequency response checked out quite nice, it showed the usual roll off at 30Hz due to head contour effects. The 10k and 15k response were within .01V.
There have been two tapes I've listened to mostly, one is Linda Rondstadt's "Heart Like a Wheel" and The Band's "Stage Fright". I didn't have a vinyl version of the Band's recording, so a trip to Normal's Used Books got me a nice copy. The record is very good sounding, engineering by Todd Rundgren and mixed by Glyn Johns. I already had the Rondstadt recording.
There is additional intensity in the tapes, kind of like putting in a new bulb in a flashlight. The colors of the music are stronger, firmer with much better feeling of the dynamics of real music. Linda's voice is amazing, I've heard her sing live and have always loved the way she sounds. I said to my wife that Linda Rondstadt and Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald and Mahalia Jackson can raise the little hairs on the back of my neck. There's so much emotion and pure beauty when they sing.
That's what it's all about, folks, those rare moments when one person communicates with another through music. Doesn't matter what the music type is or how old the tune is. If the moon and stars align it's magic.
Enjoy, Ken

RuSsMaN

We LOVED that demo at Mark's house on the big Maggies.

That's gotta be the coolest deck ever.

dkg999

Ken - that's pure coolness!

heiney9

Again, what a beautiful piece of gear and audio history. Thanks for sharing again Ken.

H9

tonyb

Thanks Ken, very good description, ohh the good old days !!
Tend to agree on your choice of singers also. Curious as to how you came across such a nice piece,in that condition yet. Enjoy.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, I'm happy to talk about it. I bought the SP7, quite a few years ago, from Charles King. He had gone over it to make sure it functioned correctly, replaced the internal metal belt with a rubber one. That must have lowered the mechanical noise quite a bit. After I got it I cleaned it and polished it very thoroughly, taking everything off that I could and got it as new looking as I could. I replaced all of the metric hex head screws you see on the top surface with new ones. I carefully polished the sides, control knobs everything I could get to. Charles helped me replace some critical caps in the playback circuitry and provided improved playback modules. He raised the operating voltage to improve dynamic range.
At one point I had to replace the selector control, that was probably the hardest repair I've ever done. Kind of like changing the rigging on a model ship that's inside a bottle. Then I ordered a new ABR board (that's the support structure that holds the 10.5" support columns) from Stellavox in Switzerland. They have a special satin finish on the metalwork that's really beautiful.
The power supply was from Charles and all I did there was paint the outside of the enclosure. The last thing I got for it was the two track IEC 15ips playback only head block from Europe. Just a side note, the man who is responsible for the sound quality, of the deck, is now making hearing aids in Europe. So, when I need an audiophile hearing aid, guess where I'll look?
Enjoy, Ken

mhardy6647

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Hello,
I've been using the SP7 to play some tapes and thought a photo would be interesting.
Cheers, Ken

oh you lucky, lucky man!

My first encounter with a Stellavox (one of Charles') was a pretty memorable experience.




All one can say is... "STELLA!!

[Deleted User]

Thanks, Mark!
I still have TP tapes with Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Monk, a Malcom Arnold Reference Recording, Robert Cray, David Oistrakh, Mose Allison to open up yet. Then there's a Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane, Clifford Brown and second Reference Recording coming down the pike. I was waiting until I had the second Altec up and running, but couldn't wait any more.
I can't wait to hear Clifford Brown, he is one of my favorite trumpet players, ever!
Cheers, Ken

[Deleted User]

Very nice photos! In the second one you can see the deck is in the rewind mode. To rewind you have to remove the right hand belt. That means the right spindle has no brakes, it's free wheeling at high speed. I keep a folded up paper towel close by to apply pressure if you hit "stop". Otherwise that right wheel will keep spinning for days.
In fact, all the TP tapes come "tails out", so you have to rewind from the right to left reel to begin playing. I do all that on another machine, then transfer to the SP7 after the tape has been rewound. It never was intended to be used as a 10.5" transport, it used 5" reels and has a plastic cover to keep rain, etc out of it. It even has a built-in amplifier and speaker! As small as it is, it can play audio! Pack enough tapes and you've got a portable sound system.
Only the Swiss! Even with all the belts and cobbling together it has extremely low wow and flutter. And 30 ips!
There are some really affluent TP subscribers who special order 30ips 1/2" tapes. That must be really amazing to hear.
Cheers, Ken

mhardy6647

15's as fast as we go at my house. I am sure I have name-dropped... umm, mentioned before that Charles built me my high-speed, half-track ReVox :-)



and these are the two organ donors who gave their lives so that the third one could live...

[Deleted User]

Mark,
You know, you can set the A77 to play the TP tapes. In fact, the A77 I worked on has excellent playback specs using the TP alignment tape. The low end response has a moderate rise at 90Hz, still there at 60Hz and more output than the SP7 at 30Hz.
It's no slouch!
Ken

hearingimpared

Awesome deck Ken and of course our own Vintage Champ Mark Hardy has pictures to turn R2R fans green with envy. . . like me. Terrific eye candy!

I would love to get my ears on the music you have to play on R2R!

Linda Rondstadt and Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald are all goosebump, hair on the neck standing singers especially Ella. George Grand accidently gave me a copy of a Verve release LP of Ella and it is one of my pride and joys. She can get you up and dancing and one minute later raise tears with the goosebumps.

Great stuff Ken. . . keep it coming!!!

schwarcw

Beautiful units!

Thanks for the story Ken! I've never heard one of those in my R2R journeys.

engtaz

Sweet Ken. Congrats

dorokusai

If that unit ever movesdown the road Kenneth....you better call me first or I'll hunt you down.

madmax

dorokusai wrote: »

If that unit ever movesdown the road Kenneth....you better call me first or I'll hunt you down.

And if Mark is insane and doesn't want it I want to be in line too.
madmax

Music2MyEars

Hello,

I found this thread while researching the Stellavox SP7 that was given to me by a friend who moved to Singapore.

I've attached some photographs and would like to hear from anyone who would like to buy it and or who can give me some idea of its current value. It's been boxed for years, still works and is in very good condition.

Comes with all necessary cables and manuals.

Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

Appreciatively, A.T. Lynne

stuwee

Very cool Ken, I got to hear the two decks below, A Stella SM-8, the Nagra IV-S was pretty nice, it had a unusual tape path design, I couldn't hear much differance between the two at 15isp. Pictures really don't do either justice, you have to put your hands on them and feel those controls, ooooozes class and Swiss enginering. My friend actually uses them at 7 1/2isp with very good results. And like you said they make the colors of the notes shine through.

George Grand

dorokusai wrote: »

If that unit ever movesdown the road Kenneth....you better call me first or I'll hunt you down.

I have three of them in the garage.

mhardy6647

George Grand wrote: »

I have three of them in the garage.

You're pulling our metaphorical limbs, aren't you George?
Please say that you are, George.
Please...

engtaz

You never know with George. Some of his for sale item come from out of no where.

mhardy6647

I would probably sacrifice mission-critical body parts to acquire a nice Stellavox...

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the photos, Stewee. Really beautiful decks, it's nice those pro machines can have a second life as a pampered audiophile "toy".

George Grand

mhardy6647 wrote: »

You're pulling our metaphorical limbs, aren't you George?
Please say that you are, George.
Please...

I never even saw one until his highness posted this.

Very nice Marantz receiver coming shortly though. Not a keeper here.

mhardy6647

George Grand wrote: »

Very nice Marantz receiver coming shortly though. Not a keeper here.

Not a big fan here, either.