A80 RC MkII tape machine

About the A80 RC MkII tape machine

The Studer A80 RC MkII is a high-fidelity professional reel-to-reel tape recorder designed for studio use. It supports tape widths from 1/4 inch up to 2 inches with appropriate headblocks and accessories, and can be configured from mono to 24 channels. The RC MkII version features VU meter options and improved electronics over earlier models. It has a modular design with plug-in amplifier modules for each channel, incorporating record, reproduce, sync, and line amplifiers, as well as VU meters and click-free control electronics. The machine is known for its precision tape transport with servo-controlled AC capstan motor, electronic tape timer with negative display, and zero locator function. It offers balanced XLR inputs and outputs, supports multiple tape speeds (7.5, 15, and 30 ips depending on model), and has a frequency response of 30Hz to 18kHz at 15 ips. The A80 RC MkII is highly regarded for its sound quality, reliability, and ease of maintenance, with features such as plug-in transport logic, LED status indicators, and accessible potentiometers. It weighs approximately 95.6 kg and measures about 900 x 700 x 600 mm. The machine was manufactured in Switzerland and produced from the 1970s through the 1980s.