Thursday, June 4, 2020, Posted by River
Got one used Stellavox TD9
I was lucky to get hands over one low hours TD9 with 1/2" & 1/4" head modules.
I helped my friend find a very new (only few hours) TD9. This one was originally in the collection of a sound engineer. It was equipped with 1/2" & 1/4" head modules. The reason for low hours machine is actually very simple. I didn’t dare to start looking for TD9 sooner. As original TD9 production was very small, each TD9 was custom built and former technician from Stella Swiss, Mr. Gurtner was very old and service response was usually very slow. So i did not risk to purchase one, being afraid to have poor stability, no matter how good the performance could be. Because if the live recording is half reduced in by replay machine setup, it does not entertain you and loss is unacceptable.
I am dare to start now, because all the stock parts, technical documents and Service & Manufacturing of the Stellavox TD9/TD88 have been undertaken by SEPEA audio led by company owner Peter. We have known each other for many years and have cooperated on many cases. Another reason is that Peter told me, that before he officially announced the re-production of TD9 in small quantities, he actually spent a year just sorting out and reviewing the TD9 information. He also had a TD9 prototype that has been tested for a year and found that it is very stable! That's why he dared to start looking to produce brand new TD9.
I wanted to encourage my friend to place an order for new TD9 but I knew there is available one almost new TD9, which was already equipped with 1/4" and 1/2" head modules with good price and original owner just sent this TD9 to SEPEA for repair and maintenance. So it was negotiated. The only part that needs to be modified was speed. Previous speed specification was 1/2"-15/30ips & 1/ 4"-15ips. But such a specification is a bit unsuitable for Audiophile, so we asked SEPEA to change it to: 1/2"-30ips & 1/4"-15/30ips. Because after all 1/2" is for playback very rare. 1/4" is the main speed specification of Audiophile.
TD9 head module with audio amp
I will briefly explain basic design logic of TD9. In fact, the transport part of TD9 can support all speeds of 3.75-30ips, and even film speed can be selected. But it is different from common recorders on the market. Reproduction & record amps are not in the mainframe, but integrated in the head module. And each head module can only be equipped with two EQ boards at most. Therefore, each head module can only optimize at two EQ at most. If you want more, you must purchase additional head module. Although somewhat inconvenient (compared to the Studer/Nagra/Ampex/TFK... etc.) you will get used to it. The advantage is that the customer does not have too many unwanted options and as the soulution is simple, it has very good sound performance. The second special feature of TD9 is, that the time required to switch between different head specifications (Ex. 1/2" & 1/4") is very fast. Because only the replacement of left and right roller modules and head module is required. Similar logic is probably available only on Ampex ATR-100/2. But TD9 integrates audio amp in the head module, so not even the audio does need to be adjusted. This proove the advanced design of Stellavox at that time with no compromises.
Now I can only ask friend to stay calm.....wait for SEPEA to complete the modification part. Looking forward to the sound of TD9!
