Otari MX-5050 BII

rockitman · Nov 2, 2013

Johnny Vinyl said:
Christian - While I appreciate your input, that's not the market I can play in. That's just my reality.

I have an MX5050. It sounds better stock than a Technics 1500 stock. It's a pretty reliable machine.

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 2, 2013

rockitman said:
I have an MX5050. It sounds better stock than a Technics 1500 stock. It's a pretty reliable machine.

One thing I've learned from this and the reading I've done is that the Otari MX's are fine machines, so my search continues. Soon enough I'll get lucky ...I usually always do.

rbbert · Nov 2, 2013

mep said:
Convinced of what? I'm not telling you or anyone else that 7 1/2 ips tapes are world beaters in sound quality. All I'm saying is that the tapes made from a really good sounding master will still sound really good. Don't be a Debbie Downer.

Just trying to introduce a reality check here, call it a downer if you want (reality checks often are). John has already indicated that his finances are limited, and it's hard to see how open reel tape has much to offer him. 7.5 ips needle drops aren't going to sound anywhere near as good as 24/96 or DSD from a Tascam, for instance, and blank tape is pretty expensive. Likewise, pre-recorded tapes are very expensive and except for the Tape Project have a very limited repertoire which is mostly obscure to boot. Jonathon's tapes are the exception to this rule of thumb.

mep · Nov 2, 2013

rbbert said:
Just trying to introduce a reality check here, call it a downer if you want (reality checks often are). John has already indicated that his finances are limited, and it's hard to see how open reel tape has much to offer him. 7.5 ips needle drops aren't going to sound anywhere near as good as 24/96 or DSD from a Tascam, for instance, and blank tape is pretty expensive. Likewise, pre-recorded tapes are very expensive and except for the Tape Project have a very limited repertoire which is mostly obscure to boot. Jonathon's tapes are the exception to this rule of thumb.

If John buys the 5050, he can make 15 ips tapes if he so chooses and they will sound damn good.

RogerD · Nov 2, 2013

For less than 500 I doubt John will go wrong with all the usual caveats and he can play whatever tapes he wants. Nobody needs to spend a fortune here,only guys like me do,but then I just don't play tape with mine. Go for it John!

microstrip · Nov 2, 2013

Johnny Vinyl said:
I've heard excellent things about that Korg unit, but I respectfully have no interest in pursuing such an avenue. To me digital shall remain on my PC which is not used for high-quality playback, but instead more for background.

John,

I really understand you!

But in order to be one more happy reel to reel owner you should be very careful when buying a machine. Look for the help of someone who really understands about them or you can trust. Some years ago, when the Tapeproject people started supporting the MX 5050's I was interested in them, but 95% of the machines offered for sale in the usual sites were in poor condition - they would need expensive service.

hvbias · Nov 2, 2013

rbbert said:
Thanks, Bruce. That pretty much confirms my premise, especially if The Tape Project stops.

What makes you say that? Paul Stubblebine flew across the country to promote it only a few months ago. From everything I have garnered talking to the people involved they are temporarily stalled to work out some internal matters. This isn't top secret knowledge, if you're interested in 2-track 15 ips give them a call, they are happy to discuss it. I'm not getting into RTR with the intent to play any 4-track tapes. I agree that if you want to make and listen to needle drops digital is the way to go given how good the converters are and NOS or current production tape is not cheap.

rbbert · Nov 2, 2013

mep said:
If John buys the 5050, he can make 15 ips tapes if he so chooses and they will sound damn good.

Just sharing my experience and opinions, as is everyone else. I got my first reel deck in 1967 and have had more than a dozen since; my first (of several) PCM/VHS setup in '84 and my first (of several) DAT in '92 and have done a ton of home and field recording. I used to record my Mahler symphony LP's to tape so I wouldn't have to play 4 record sides

The capabilities of the Otari (a friend has his in the shop right now getting new heads and servicing) are right up my alley and John was asking for advice.

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 2, 2013

rbbert said:
Just trying to introduce a reality check here, call it a downer if you want (reality checks often are). John has already indicated that his finances are limited, and it's hard to see how open reel tape has much to offer him. 7.5 ips needle drops aren't going to sound anywhere near as good as 24/96 or DSD from a Tascam, for instance, and blank tape is pretty expensive. Likewise, pre-recorded tapes are very expensive and except for the Tape Project have a very limited repertoire which is mostly obscure to boot. Jonathon's tapes are the exception to this rule of thumb.

I appreciate the input Robert, I really do. And you're not wrong, but I'm going into this with a different set of values. I view having a R2R as a fun thing, and not so much about the quality as the hands-on experience I'm going to have with it. I certainly wouldn't view it as the ultimate playback source in my case as I know that would take much more money than I have available, but for a reasonable sum I could enjoy something that I'd like to explore.

mep said:
If John buys the 5050, he can make 15 ips tapes if he so chooses and they will sound damn good.

Right you are Mark!! And one of my conditions for buying whatever R2R comes across is that I have the ability to play/record at 15ips. Additionally, I've heard one of Ed Pong's Master Tapes and I've been to one of his Poolside Concerts and I'd love to one day buy one of his tapes. Not now, but if/when the time comes. Something like the Otari would allow me to do that.

RogerD said:
For less than 500 I doubt John will go wrong with all the usual caveats and he can play whatever tapes he wants. Nobody needs to spend a fortune here,only guys like me do,but then I just don't play tape with mine. Go for it John!

Thanks Roger! And I will.

I just want to have some fun!

rbbert · Nov 2, 2013

hvbias said:
What makes you say that? Paul Stubblebine flew across the country to promote it only a few months ago. From everything I have garnered talking to the people involved they are temporarily stalled to work out some internal matters...

I really hope you are right because even if their product isn't practical for me at this time I respect it and the work they have done. However... I think we all know that "temporarily stalled to work out some internal matters" has often been a prelude to collapse. No reason otherwise (except their notoriously slow order filling in the best of times) to suspect problems.

Perhaps I should add that I'm far more likely to send one of my Technics off to J-corder and buy a Bottlehead to go with it than I am to get a decent new LP playback system; in fact if there were a little better selection and pricing of software I'd do it today.

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 2, 2013

microstrip said:
John,

I really understand you! But in order to be one more happy reel to reel owner you should be very careful when buying a machine. Look for the help of someone who really understands about them or you can trust. Some years ago, when the Tapeproject people started supporting the MX 5050's I was interested in them, but 95% of the machines offered for sale in the usual sites were in poor condition - they would need expensive service.

Hello Micro - I have already been in contact with Ed Pong's tech guy, Roger Ginsley of Tekx Electronics (he services Studer in Canada), so I have people locally that I can turn to. But I also have you guys for support!

hvbias · Nov 2, 2013

rbbert said:
I really hope you are right because even if their product isn't practical for me at this time I respect it and the work they have done. However... I think we all know that "temporarily stalled to work out some internal matters" has often been a prelude to collapse. No reason otherwise (except their notoriously slow order filling in the best of times) to suspect problems.

Perhaps I should add that I'm far more likely to send one of my Technics off to J-corder and buy a Bottlehead to go with it than I am to get a decent new LP playback system; in fact if there were a little better selection and pricing of software I'd do it today.

To summarize they want to work on getting caught up dubbing their current catalog of tapes. I think as most TP subscribers know they are not the fastest at getting albums out to people, this is the 'internal issue' issue they're trying to solve. The demand has increased with other companies starting to offer master tape dubs, and more people getting into RTR.

Bruce B · Nov 2, 2013

Here's my Otari. It's a little bit different in the configuration that you mostly see.

RogerD · Nov 2, 2013

Bruce B said:
Here's my Otari. It's a little bit different in the configuration that you mostly see.

View attachment 12439

it's a beauty!

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 2, 2013

Bruce B said:
Here's my Otari. It's a little bit different in the configuration that you mostly see.

View attachment 12439

Sweet!

rbbert · Nov 2, 2013

Are those the stock electronics?

Bruce B · Nov 2, 2013

rbbert said:
Are those the stock electronics?

Now why would I do that?

amirm · Nov 2, 2013

Oh, didn't realize it was show and tell time

. Here is ours:

microstrip · Nov 2, 2013

Johnny Vinyl said:
Hello Micro - I have already been in contact with Ed Pong's tech guy, Roger Ginsley of Tekx Electronics (he services Studer in Canada), so I have people locally that I can turn to. But I also have you guys for support!

Thanks for posting the details about Tekxelectronics - they seem to be very knowledgeable people. I could see in their site that they own the famous Studer gauge blocks for head block alignment. It is one of the best kept Studer mysteries - I have read a few times about them, but could never find documentation or a simple picture of them!

RogerD · Nov 4, 2013

John...this is probably not what you want....but not a bad deal for let's say 500...with the extras 600 is not bad either

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ampex-AG-44...rder-w-Ampex-suitcase-amplifier-/281201055403

For 500 I would probably take a chance on this even though it needs fixing....nice machine. oops not the exact picture of the item,but I would still take a look.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/msg/4150002889.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UrQ6dcMJFg

Otari MX-5050 BII

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