Full Restoration​

A Full Restoration at ATR Service is a comprehensive professional rebuild of the Ampex ATR-100 series, intended to return the machine to reference-grade performance, reliability, and presentation, while meeting or exceeding original Ampex mastering specifications.

This service addresses all critical mechanical, electronic, and system-level factors required for long-term professional operation. Each machine is evaluated individually and rebuilt to current ATR Service standards using modern measurement, alignment, and verification methods.

A Full Restoration is recommended for machines requiring complete rehabilitation or for clients seeking a system that performs and presents as close as possible to a new professional recorder.

Included Scope

• Complete system evaluation and rebuild to professional operating standards

• Transport, electronics, and power integrity restored to full specification

• Precision calibration and performance verification

• Cosmetic refinishing to OEM appearance, where applicable

The result is a stable, accurate, and fully supported ATR system suitable for mastering studios, archives, and reference-level playback environments.

​​

Non-Cosmetic Restoration​

The Non-Cosmetic Restoration delivers the same technical performance and reliability as a Full Restoration, without cosmetic refinishing.

This option is intended for professional users who prioritize performance, accuracy, and stability over appearance, or for installations where cosmetic condition is not critical.

All core systems are restored and calibrated to current ATR Service standards, ensuring reference-grade playback and dependable long-term operation.

Key Characteristics

• Full technical restoration without cabinet or cosmetic refinishing

• Identical performance targets to Full Restoration

• Precision calibration and verification

• Ideal for studio, archival, and utility environments

​

Restoration scope is determined based on machine condition and intended application. ATR Service does not apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

​​

Optional Performance Enhancements​

For clients seeking the highest-level playback performance, optional upgrades are available, such as enhanced I/O modules, the HDV-3 external tube head preamplifier, and other advanced performance packages.
These upgrades can deliver distortion reduction of up to an order of magnitude and substantially enhanced transparency—capabilities not achievable in older or partially restored machines.  

​​

Why an ATR Service Rebuilt ATR-102 Is in a Different League

Used ATR-102 machines often appear on eBay, Reverb, and other marketplaces. Some are cosmetically cleaned, and others are described as “restored,” including listings that claim “restored by ATR Service 10–15 years ago.” While the brand name may be accurate, the implication is not. A machine serviced a decade or more ago—using the parts, methods, and standards available at that time—does not reflect the performance, precision, or build quality that ATR Service delivers today.

Age alone eliminates the value of any prior restoration. Bearings, capacitors, motors, alignment, grounding integrity, head wiring, and mechanical tolerances all deteriorate with time and must be rebuilt to achieve modern mastering-grade performance. A cosmetic refresh or an outdated restoration is simply not sufficient.

At ATR Service today, every ATR-102 is rebuilt from the ground up to meet or exceed original Ampex professional mastering specifications, using modern precision components, advanced metrology, and upgraded electronics pathways. The result is a recorder that performs at its true engineering potential—something no decade-old “refurbish” can offer.

What Sets an ATR Service Machine Apart

1. Engineering-Grade Rebuild, Not Cosmetic Repair

Each machine is fully disassembled and rebuilt mechanically, electronically, and metrologically.
We use new precision components, new bearings, improved grounding architecture, calibrated alignment and tape-path geometry, and detailed transport alignment procedures based on modern measurement tools—not the standards of 10–15 years ago.

2. Wow & Flutter Performance Up to Three Times Better Than Spec

The original ATR-102 factory wow & flutter specification was ~0.04% RMS (NAB, unweighted, 15 ips).
Our upgraded transports routinely achieve ~0.015% RMS, thanks to precision-machined tacho wheels, optimized servo performance, stable tape tension, and modern alignment methods.
The result is audibly superior clarity, stereo image stability, and low-frequency definition.

3. Optional Distortion Reduction Upgrades

Baseline rebuilds already deliver substantially improved accuracy.
For customers seeking the highest-level playback performance, optional upgrades—such as enhanced I/O modules or the HDV-3 external tube head preamplifier—can reduce distortion by up to an order of magnitude compared with typical used or outdated restored units.
This level of transparency cannot be achieved by any decade-old rebuild.

4. True Modern Calibration and Measurement

Every ATR Service machine is aligned using:
• ANKO Lab Master Calibration Tapes (IEC-94-2 compliant)
• Magnetic Flux System (MFS-1) for precise pre-tape equalization
• Audio Precision instrumentation
• Full modern transport alignment (torque, tension, geometry, and head penetration)

Older “restored” machines were never calibrated to this modern standard.

5. Supported as a Professional Studio System

Our clients include mastering studios, recording facilities, sound archives, and advanced audiophile installations.
Each machine is delivered with technical support, documentation, and a performance level appropriate for the professional studio tier, not the consumer or prosumer deck category.

Pricing in Context

An ATR Service rebuilt ATR-102—designed as a professional mastering recorder—remains priced far below comparable high-end offerings, despite delivering superior engineering and performance.
As ATR Service continues to grow, pricing will be reviewed to reflect the true value provided.

Hearing Is Believing

The difference between:
• a used or decade-old “refurbished” machine, and
• a modern ATR Service rebuild
is immediately obvious to anyone who listens.

Expect:
• Lower distortion and noise
• Tighter bass and more precise transient control
• Superior stereo image stability
• Smoother tape handling
• More detail, depth, and dynamic realism

These improvements cannot be achieved through cosmetic work or outdated restoration practices.

ATR Service: Restoring the Professional Standard

Our mission is not merely to repair a tape recorder—it is to re-establish the ATR-102 as the world’s reference mastering platform, built to the standard Ampex intended and refined through today’s engineering capabilities.

If you are considering a tape machine for mastering, archival use, or high-end playback, an ATR Service rebuild is the closest you can come to owning a new professional ATR-102 today.