In Reply to: RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations posted by Jareb on October 16, 2015 at 05:53:47:
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.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Dave Pogue 06:21:00 10/16/15 (9)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Jareb 07:20:31 10/16/15 (8)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Inmate51 08:17:37 10/16/15 (1)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Bill Way 10:07:45 10/16/15 (0)
- Here's one to consider. - Dave Pogue 08:17:24 10/16/15 (1)
- RE: Here's one to consider. - Dogface1956 15:02:12 10/16/15 (0)
- Revox/Studer's... - kootenay 08:10:50 10/16/15 (0)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Dave Pogue 07:53:00 10/16/15 (2)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - astrotoy 21:13:52 12/12/15 (1)
- RE: Want a RTR;Recommendations - Bill Way 18:55:56 12/13/15 (0)