Studer A820


"Studer A820 combines state-of-the-art technology, Swiss craftsmanship and years of experience in recorder design". These lines are taken from an original brochure of A820 that was introduced in 1984. As a rule, frequently a brochure is self referential but, this time, it is appropriate and absolutely truthful.

The A820 is the top and the epilogue of the legendary Studer story and it is considered the maximum evolution of analog tape recording. It was produced for all available tapes format, starting from ¼ inch 2 track, to 2 inch 24 track and it inherited from A80 its prestigious and impressive legacy of recordings.

The A820 is the descendant of the A80 and its new tape transport path is designed for reels with a diameter up to 14", unique exemplar between all Studer models. Due this last characteristic also, A820 is equipped with DC motors (another exclusivity between Studer models) that offer unique features of machine torque and the best performances of acceleration and braking times of the mounted reels.

From the pictures it is apparent that its mechanism is inspired and at the same time is the evolution of its predecessor, maintaining the tape path integrally on ball-bearing pulleys, especially during Rew and FF modes.

As for the electronics and device control introduced two years earlier with the A810, a new design and evolution of the management of the machine is implemented on A820. The same features will be used also on the A812 and A816 models. The reference settings are software-defined and their management is as versatile and practical as one can desire.

Introduced right after the debut on the market of the CD, the A820 is still very present in the recording studios worldwide, despite 30 years of coexistence with digital recording techniques. This is why it is one of the most rare and desired reel to reel recorder both by recording studios and audiophiles.

Main Technical Features



  • 2 tracks stereo master recorder, ¼ inch (6,35 mm).
  • Master recorder on trolley with VU meter bridge.
  • Tape speeds: 30 - 15 - 7.5 ips (76.2 - 38.1 - 19.05 cm/sec.).
  • Servo-controlled tape transport.
  • 3 DC Processor-Controlled High-Torque DC Spooling Motors.
  • Processor-Controlled DC Capstan Motor with Low Rotor Mass.
  • Processor-Controlled Pinch Roller Unit.
  • Spooling motor control with pulse-width modulation.
  • Equalization: CCIR – NAB switch selectable.
  • Tape A and Tape B switch selectable with independent setting and memory storage.
  • Tape Reel: AEG-DIN (standard), CINE (EIA) -Trident (Optional).
  • Reel size: up to 14” (35,5 cm) for metal reels or plates.
  • Balanced XLR input and output.
  • Digital real time display for all 3 speeds; H, Min, Sec.
  • Edit mode with Jog and Shuttle function Zero locator; Locator Play, Locator 1; Locator 2, Master Safe-Rec Ready button; Service menu with digitally programmable audio and tape deck setup with non–volatile memory storage; Library wind button to select a reduced spooling speed; Varispeed; Auto-Mute during FF-REW mode.
  • VU Meters, with independent potentiometers for line-input and line-output.
  • VU Meters monitor of input or output signal switch selectable.
  • Rec-Play calibrated and uncalibrated mode, switch selectable.
  • Buillt-in monitor speaker and headphone output (jack 6,3mm), for input or output signal.
  • In Line or Butterfly heads.
  • Buillt-in monitor speaker
  • Spooling time: about 70 sec. for 760 mt. of tape.
  • Weight: about 91 Kg
  • Dimensions: H x W x D, 1330 (with VU meter bridge) x 700 x 660 mm.
  • Power absorption: about 80 W in Stop, 130W Play-Rec, 160W FF-Rew.
  • Voltage selector: from 100 to 240 Volt, 50-60 Hz.

Photo Gallery




THE RECORDERMAN di Fabio Liberatore - via Agello, 51 - 21100 Varese - Italy - Partita IVA: 03285260125 - CF: LBRFBA56C14L682N