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I am going to give RTR playback a try since I didn't get that into it when it was more common back in the day. I've tried to do my research online but opinions vary so widely about which deck to get. I'm sure everyone has a favorite for whatever reason so I thought I would ask here. I'm looking at Revox B77, Pioneer RT909, Otari MX5050,as well as a few Teac and Tascam decks. My objective is mostly playback of prerecorded tapes and occasional transfer from vinyl to tape. Looking for only mint equipment. Budget up to $2K. Any suggestions?
Thanks
John
Follow Ups:
You got some fantastic advice here. Join Tapeheads. They are a fantastic group. You'll get some good direction there.
NO question that the MX5050 is a great deck. However I like the 1500(series). Some of them also have switchable 1/4 / 1/2 track playback.
Should you get "serious" and want to take another "step"; consider replacing the Panasonic PB head along with "outboard" playback electronics.
Charles
To be honest, there are many great decks, and a lot depends upon what you find important. 1/2 track? 1/4 track? Plays 10.5 reels? (in my mind, VERY important.)
Because of age, many will say that whatever you buy, it will need to be gone through, which will add to the purchase price.
I have several RTR's, a TEAC 2340R, a Pioneer RT-1050, and a Technics RS-1500US.
My favorite is the RS-1500.
You might join (free) "Tapeheads" and ask there. There are many people there that will give you some great opinions, and if you wish to buy a already-restored deck, I'm sure you will find someone there who has one for sale that will meet your needs.
Good luck, tape can sound very very good!
Proudly serving content-free posts since 1984.
I tried to join Tapeheads. Its been 2 days but still no access to using the forums. I can sign on to the website but cant post etc. Sent an email but no response....maybe its because of the weekend.
but I suspect tesla's right about the weekend thing. Will see what happens tomorrow.
Jim
http://jimtranr.com
So you may want to check your e-mail.
Jim
http://jimtranr.com
yup, mine has been validated also.
Hi jareb,
Give it until Monday, still no luck send me a private email, and I will help out.
Gene
Proudly serving content-free posts since 1984.
Thanks Tesla,
With my limited knowledge; I believe most prerecorded tapes are 4 track. I've read that the 7 1/2 IPS tapes sound better than the 3 1/2 tapes. I would imagine that a 4 track deck capable of 10.5 reels would be good for my purposes. As far as 1/2 track vs 1/4 track.....I'm not sure. I wont be doing any live recording if that makes a difference. I see very clean, low use or refurbished decks come up on ebay frequently. I'm not interested in something that needs to be refurbished after purchase. I'd rather spend the $$ upfront and be done with it. I'll join tapeheads.
Your right, 1/4 track is the most common format. (for consumers.)1/2 track does have a slight edge on performance, however, unless it is a deck that can accept both formats, such as the Technics RS-series, and the Otari 5050 series, your better off with a 1/4 only deck.
I like the RS-1500 for it's superior tape handling capabilities, to be equaled or exceeded only by late-model pro machines. The Otari 5050 and Technics RS-15xx series are considered by many to be semipro machines with the Otari having an edge in the small studio environment. The downside of that is the Otari is more likely to have issues with wear and condition.
If you are interested in only playback of prerecorded tapes, the Otari and Technics decks mentioned will offer head stack assemblies that will play and record in one format, and playback only in another.
For example, the stock Technics 1500 will record and playback in 1/2 format, and playback (only) in 1/4 track, all in the flip of a switch. Other models in the 15xx series will do the reverse. As an example, my 1500 has the optional 1506 headstack installed, which means it plays and records in 1/4, playback only in 1/2. This would be the most useful for you.
Everything else being equal, the higher the tape speed, the greater the fidelity. 15 IPS and 30 IPS are the pro decks most common speeds, common speeds for consumer decks are 3-3/4, 7.5, with some decks offering 15. The Technics offers 3-3/4's, 7.5 and 15. This would handle most anything you might ever need.Usually prerecorded tapes are 3-3/4 (most pop tapes) and 7.5, (most Jazz and classical tapes.) However, there are good and badly recorded examples of all genres and speeds.
Good luck, hope to see you on Tapeheads.
Proudly serving content-free posts since 1984.
Edits: 10/16/15
I've had zillions of tape decks since catching the bug in the late 1950s. I think the deck you're after is the Otari MX5050 BII2. This deck plays 2-track and 4-track tapes up to 10 1/2" reels (plus the common 7" ones) at 3 speeds -- 3 3/4 ips, 7 1/2 ips and 15 ips. It offers both NAB and IEC (CCIR) equalization. It records in 2-track, although there are headstacks providing 4-track recording capability as well. The headstacks are quick-change things -- just unscrew 3 screws and out pops the headstack.
This is arguably the most commonly used semi-pro tape deck ever made, which means there are a LOT available on Ebay and elsewhere. Because it was intended for use in radio stations and small studios it is extremely rugged and reliable. Everything is direct-drive, so no worry about belts disintegrating.
Best of all, it sounds great. I had a Teac X1000R before getting the Otari and there's no comparison. I've also owned a Revox A77, Mk IV, numerous other Teacs, a Magnecord and others. The Otari is superior in every way
Your budget is more than adequate. For starters, go to Ebay and search on "Otari." You will find a lot of them, many beat to death (you can tell something, but not a lot by their appearance). Note also the many listings of spare parts available. Feel free to write me off-line if you'd like more inforemation. Mine has been modified to provide for direct tapehead output to a deHavilland 222 tapehead preamp. The Otari is by no means the prettiest deck around, but it's one hell of a machine.
Dave,
Thank you for the recommendation of the Otari deck. It is frequently mentioned as a superior machine. The few negative comments I see relate to the way the hubs attach o the reels? I guess the Otari's have a sort of twist type lockdown instead of a flip tab? I'm obviously not knowledgeable enough to know what difference it makes in operation, if any. I agree, its not pretty like a RT909 and that's ok. I have received several offline responses and the Revox PR99 has been mentioned a few times also; although the caveat has been expensive replacement parts.
John
I'd agree that the Otari is probably your best fit, feature-wise. For playback and occasional album recording, it'll give you the most flexibility.Although, I'm partial to Studer/Revox A77 and B77 (a bit clumsy threading tape and editing, though) and the Studer PR99 which is a terrific deck.
The TEAC 2340 is a very nice mid-line consumer deck - well-built, nice sound and features. You might even consider getting two TEACs - a 1/4 track and a 1/2 track, a 7" and a 10-1/2".
Be aware that any of these decks are very heavy. I have a Tascam 44 (the version which says "TASCAM 44" on the gray headblock cover) which needs a little work ($300-$400), but round-trip shipping a 70 pound deck is expensive and a pain in the butt, so here it sits. But I digress... The point is that, if the deck needs to be shipped to you, the shipper better have his packing act together.
Good luck!!
And, yes, join Tapeheads.net.
:)
Edits: 10/16/15
I think Dave Pogue got it right - the Otari MX5050 B2-II is a good bet. I was astonished how good it sounded for 15 ips half-track playback, even with its stock repro electronics.
I liked the hubs/hold-downs - worked great for NAB reels, and also worked great for small reels (you just slap them on top of the reel and twist/tighten the center part.)
Build quality is outstanding. Tape handling is OK, not great; some of these seem to have tape tension that's on the high side, and I've never found anyone who knew how to adjust it.
Parts, heads, pinch rollers, all widely available, and not at Studer prices. Actually, beat-to-sh** 5050's are often on ebay at prices that make them good candidates for "parts" machines.
Accessibility to boards, motors, etc. inside is excellent. You can get a complete printed service manual - check around on tape forums; some guy does an excellent job of reproducing them, including the fold-out schematics.
By far the best sound I've had at home was that deck feeding a Bottlehead Crack/Speedball amp with Senn HD800s. It really did blow everything away.
The Studer PR99 and B67 may sound slightly better, and certainly have more sophisticated transports, but they (and parts for them) come at a considerable cost.
Good luck.
WW
"A man need merely light the filaments of his receiving set and the world's greatest artists will perform for him." Alfred N. Goldsmith, RCA, 1922
I have NO knowledge about this deck other than what the seller says. It's a very unusual-looking Otari with much bright work on front that I've never seen before. The seller is in Puerto Rico and his feedback indicates that he has sold a number of identical or similar machines. If you go for it (and I'd go for the extra headstack that offers 4-track playback) I'd sure like to hear how it works out :-)
BTW, it is pretty much the most expensive model of its kind that you'll find, but most of the others will require a lot of $$$ service to get to the same point, if the seller can be trusted. A big "if."
That's a machine done by Gustavo and he does first class work, I purchased one of his machines about one year ago and it is a top notch machine. Gustavo can configure the machine anyway you want it 2-Track Playback/Record and 4-Track Playback or 4-Track Playback/Record and 2-Track playback.
I highly recommend Gustavo not only are his machines top notch, but he actually supports them, I had a switch go out on mine and he mailed one express to me free of charge. He also came up with some plastic knobs for the Bias, Equalize and Level controls that he sent me free.
Also if you are looking for a restored machine you should check out Chuck Z he does Crown tape decks. You can find information about Chuck and his decks on Tapeheads. I also own a Chuck Z Crown which is another great deck.
Jeff
We're Burning Daylight
parts can be very expensive, but they last for quite a few years. However, parts availability is not the issue, but finding the knowledgeable technicians to do the proper restorations work. I had my B215 and PR99 MKII restored, recapped and recalibrated last year, which were done by two technicians. The PR99 MKII restorations was done by a technician in Ontario, Canada who happens to be the only tech certified in Canada by Revox/Studer, at least that's what he says according to the info in his website. The B215 restorations was done in California by a tech who is famous for restoring the B215 in Tapeheads forum. It was expensive, but it was well worth it. knowing that I will have machines that I can enjoy for years to come.Knock on wood as so far all of them are performing flawlessly.
If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
(Proverb)
Edits: 10/16/15
Yep, forgot to mention the reel holders, the one thing about the Otari I dislike. The Otari reel holders do work, but I use them only on the large, NAB-type reels. (actually, I mostly use similar but more sensibly-designed (IMHO) reel holders that came with certain Akai decks). For 7-inch reels, I use Teac push-on rubber dohickeys (technical term).
The model subsequent to mine -- actually, new ones are still available in the $8-9K range -- did away with the need for the cumbersome Otari reel holders, but most of these do not offer 4-track playback. I think this model was called the MX5050 Mk. III, but I could be wrong.
I have a 5050 BIII and it has a much better set of reel holders than the older models. I looked at a BII, and the reel holders were very difficult to use. I was lucky to get my BIII a few years back from a fellow who had bought out the inventory of an old radio station, including a bunch of different decks. I would definitely look for one that can play 1/2 track, 15ips, in addition to 1/4 track 7.5ips and both NAB and CCIR EQ, so you can play both older 1/4 track 7.5ips commercial prerecorded tapes that use NAB EQ and the new 15ips 1/2 track tapes that almost all feature CCIR EQ. The Otari 5050 BIII does that. If you bypass the electronics for a new pre pro (which I have for my other machine a Technics 1506 with Bottlehead prepro) then you don't have to worry about EQ, since the new prepros all (?) have both EQ's. A $2K budget for a near mint machine is possible, but not one with a new prepro.
Larry
I thought the B-II/2 and the B-III had the same reel tables, no?
In any case, the 5050 series from the B2 on can be astonishingly good, have widely available parts, and can be had pretty cheap, particularly if the cosmetics are a little rough.
WW
"A man need merely light the filaments of his receiving set and the world's greatest artists will perform for him." Alfred N. Goldsmith, RCA, 1922
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