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Hi all
I've got the option to buy a mono Stellavox SP7 from a local source and was wondering if it's feasible (or possible) to convert it to stereo. My only use for it would be to use it for music playback only in my tube system. I want to use it as a source to feed into a tapehead pre-amp hopefully something along the lines of what Doc B. is going to offer next year.
From what I've read you can interchange the tapehead (correct term?) on certain Stella models to make it stereo. Is it possible with this model? How hard would it be to directly tap into the head stack to connect to a tape head pre-amp?I'm obviously in over my head on this one. Is there some one who currently refurbishes Stella SP7s?
Your help is appreciated
Frank Mena
System: Foreplay II pre-amp & Paramours 2A3 amps
Follow Ups:
This is an interesting question. The SP7 is quite a nice machine, especially the electronics and parts machining. It would be a shame to bypass those electronics and use what could easily be an inferior third-party replacement head and an inferior outboard preamp without the proper playback EQ. Also be aware that the SP7 only accepts reels up to 5" diameter without using the optional extender plate and associated rubber bands which will need periodic replacement.I would suggest that you contact Sonosax in Switzerland (sonosax.com, I believe) regarding your questions. (I'm not certain if they are still in business.)
As the responses indicate, the simplest/cheapest way to go would be to add a stereo playback head (only) and connect it to an external preamp.The question that arises from this or any "direct conection" from head to preamp is how "purist" you want the signal path to be? The most "pure" would be a single shielded cable from each channel of the head terminals right to the RCA connector which plugs into the preamp. With the Stellavox (or other brands), if the "looks" of the modified machine don't bother you, the wires could be run out of holes drilled in the the top or back of the headblock. If looks matter, then things get complicated.
Please also understand that any used machine may have other unrelated mechanical and/or electrical problems and should be fully checked out before contemplating any modifications.
converting the SP7 to Stereo isn't as simple as swapping the headblock... you also have to add additional modules internally. The only place I trust for Stellavox repairs/modifications/service is Jean-Pierre in Switzerland (former right-hand man at Stellavox).At any event, it will cost you a good deal of money to do all that... i'd skip on it and look for either a stereo SP7 or the more modern SP8.
I don't think it would necessarily be that complex. In fact I've been considering this approach for some time with respect to a Nagra III, seeing as they go for about 1/4 of what a IV-S goes for:If the machine is for playback only and you are using an external tape head preamp that feeds directly off the head anyway, it seems like everything but the stereo head is already there. As long as there is a reasonably easy way to tap directly off the head you shouldn't need to make any changes other than mounting that stereo head and getting some good output cabling connected to it. However when Frank asked me about this I suggested that it may not be all that easy to get cabling from the back of the head to a convenient connection point for the preamp interconnects. I don't know the layout of the Stella well enough to offer an opinion about that. And of course this is all DIY. I was kind of hoping Charles might pipe in here.
Which leads to the broader question of "do you need one of these lovely little portables in the first place if you are using an outboard playback preamp anyway?" It does kind of defeat the portability. One might actually be better off with a larger machine that can rewind a tape in less than 10 minutes and that doesn't need an external power supply. It's sort of like a laptop - great for 1-1/2 hours on batteries with nothing connected to it, but not really very portable with the AC adapter, a printer, external HD, etc. attached.
If someone just wants good sound at a reasonable price and doesn't care too much about about size or looks I think the MX-5050 types are maybe a better starting point for this kind of "playback only with external preamp" project.
Thanks for the info, kind of what I thought
Most appreciated.
FM
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