I need a good source for replacing the play and rewind belts for an Ampex 1161. The ones purchased on EBay have functioned well for about 6 months, then stretch and no longer allow enjoyable playback or efficient winding. The replacement is time-consuming and a real chore, so quality belts are what I need.
Norm

Try http://www.vintage-electronics.net (Note, it's not "dot com" but "dot net"...). If they don't have a kit, you may be able to specify a belt by measured size.

That's not far off par for Ampex belts. I spent a year at Ampex Hawaii replacing those. Once I remember, the belts were already stretched by the time the customer picked it up and I did it again (free of course). Very real weakness in those machines. Root problem, they HAVE to stretch to accomodate all 3 speeds fitting the 3 lands on the motor pulley.

After you've done it two-tree times, the whole thing takes about 20min. The machines are solid performers audio wise, worth keeping going.

The mention of Ampex reminded me, many of my favourite jazz albums I bought in the late fifties/early sixties were recorded on Ampex tape recorders.

https://www.ceitron.com/passive/belt.html
Has a good selection. He was part of MCM electronics when it started

The Ampex tape machines were standard equipment in recording studios and radio stations in the old days, along with Magnecord and Scully. The pro equipment was WAY above the quality of the consumer gear, and priced accordingly.