About the Company
Revox, the consumer brand of the Swiss company Studer, stands as one of the most respected names in reel-to-reel tape recording. Founded by the brilliant engineer Willi Studer, the company’s story is one of Swiss precision, relentless innovation, and a commitment to audio excellence that spanned nearly five decades of analog tape production.
Willi Studer established his company in Zürich in 1948, initially building oscilloscopes for high-voltage labs. By 1949, he had developed his first tape recorder prototype, and in 1951 he registered the Revox brand name (stylized as REVOX) for consumer audio equipment. The first Revox tape recorder, the T26 (also known as Dynavox T26), appeared that year, marking the start of Revox as a distinct consumer line separate from Studer’s professional studio machines.
The early 1950s saw rapid progress. In 1956, Revox launched the A36, the first in the famous 36-series, which included variants like the G36 (introduced around 1963). The G36 became iconic for its stacked heads, push/pull amplifiers, and availability in mono/stereo configurations, setting a benchmark for home and semi-professional use.
The real breakthrough for Revox came in 1967 with the A77, one of the most successful and enduring consumer reel-to-reel decks ever made. Fully transistorized, beautifully engineered, and built in Switzerland, the A77 combined studio-grade performance (low wow & flutter, excellent heads, and robust mechanics) with user-friendly features for home enthusiasts. It was offered in multiple marks (Mk I to Mk IV) through the 1970s, with refinements in electronics, motors, and cosmetics. The A77 helped cement Revox’s reputation for quality and reliability, and it remains a highly sought-after vintage machine today.
In 1977–1980, Revox introduced the B77, a more refined evolution of the A77 with smoother operation, improved audio and drive electronics, and a built-in Vari-Speed (tone) control in the later Mk II version (1980–1998). The B77 Mk II, in particular, is often regarded as one of the finest consumer reel-to-reel decks ever produced, blending professional precision with elegant design.
Throughout the 1960s to 1980s, Revox manufactured its tape recorders primarily in Switzerland, with factories in Regensdorf and later expansions to meet demand. The brand also moved some production to West Germany (Löffingen and Bonndorf) in the mid-1960s due to labor issues in Switzerland, while maintaining Swiss design and quality control. Revox reel-to-reel production continued into the 1990s, with the last significant models phasing out as digital formats took over.
After Willi Studer’s death in 1996, the company changed hands several times. In the 2000s, Revox was revived under new ownership, and in 2016 the brand announced a modern reel-to-reel revival project. In 2024, Revox introduced the B77 Mk III, a new audiophile-grade tape recorder inspired by the classic B77 line, signaling a continued legacy.
From the pioneering T26 in 1951 to the revered A77 and B77 series, and now into the modern revival, Revox reel-to-reel manufacturing reflects Swiss engineering at its finest: precision, durability, and a passion for pure, uncompromised sound. Even decades later, Revox machines remain prized by collectors and enthusiasts for their build quality, sonic purity, and timeless design.