Revox B790

built from 1977

In 1977, 23 years after Revox's first record player, the Revox 60 mono record player, Revox presented the first record player with a tangential tonearm at the International Radio Exhibition in Berlin.

Revox B790 with open dust cover, Premium-Hifi

Tangential tonearms have the advantage that the pickup system moves parallel to the record groove. This minimizes skating force, eliminating the need for complex anti-skating measures. Tracking occurs tangentially, just like cutting a record!

Revox B790 Linatrack Tonarm, Premium-Hifi

The ultra-short "Linatrack" tonearm is 4 cm long and weighs approximately 40 grams including the pickup system. Thanks to the low tonearm mass, the high tracking capability is maintained even with warped records.

Revox B790 tonearm close-up Premium-Hifi

The Revox Linatrack tonearm is optoelectronically controlled. Tracking is achieved via an IR transmitting diode (LED 1) and two receiving diodes (DP 1 and DP 2). A slit aperture, permanently attached to the tonearm, ensures that one of the two receiving diodes is illuminated more than the other when deflected. The downstream electronics control a small DC motor, which balances the illumination of the two receiving diodes and moves the tonearm accordingly.

Component layout revox B790 pickup, Premium-Hifi

The B790's speed, display, power, and tonearm controls are easily accessible even with the cover closed. This allows you to play, skip, or repeat tracks even with the cover closed.

Revox B790 closed, control panel, Premium-Hifi

The piston damper ensures gentle treatment of your expensive record collection. When correctly adjusted, the needle touches down just before the mute button is released. The speed of the fall can be adjusted by turning the cylinder. The damper shouldn't be set too slowly. You'll then hear the needle touch down once, or worse, the needle might slip over two or three grooves while touching down!

Piston damper for Revox B790 turntable, Premium-Hifi

The tonearm and motor control electronics of the Revox B790 turntable are very similar to those of the Revox B791 and B795. The display electronics are different from those of the B791.