Product Review: Revox C279 6in/2out mixer

  Revox is a name primarily and predominantly known for its recorders. However, due to the fact that Studer (the parent company) manufactures professional devices in various fields, it was logical to expand the production line for Revox as well. A few years ago, a tuner was introduced that could immediately compete with the absolute top in that field. Soon after, amplifiers, turntables, cassette decks, and even speakers followed. Everything (except for the speakers, really) that was released was made according to the Studer/Revox philosophy: we only release something if it is the very best in the market. Now there is also a mixer from Revox. And it wouldn’t be Revox if some special features weren’t applied here as well. The mixer has 6 unbalanced stereo or 6 balanced microphone inputs. Each input has a selector switch for unbalanced line, balanced line, microphone, and microphone via a low-pass filter. Then there’s a continuously adjustable gain, a 2-band (20 and 20k Hz) equalizer, 1 aux, a stereo balance control, a pre-fade listen, and a 100 mm fader. But these faders don’t directly control the audio signal; they control VCAs, electronic faders, in other words. With these techniques, it is possible to eliminate several amplifier stages in a channel. This reduces noise and distortion, and simplifies the design. Moreover, it becomes relatively easy to add subgroups, automation, etc., later on. Listening can be done with headphones or through the built-in speakers. The LED meters on the output allow you to measure the signal levels and the phase correlation of the stereo channels. Optional features include: DBX noise reduction on 2 inputs and outputs, fader start, RIAA preamplifiers, test tone generator. Revox C279 €4980, Heijnen AV, +31 8851-96260.   Disco Dance1, 1987