Vintage Otari MX5050 BII // "Mini Pro" Reel to Reel

The Otari MX5050 is on every R2R collector's list, and nearly every article you'll find online. As far as open reel decks, we put this in the top 5, with more features than the venerable Technics RS-1500. Even without the splic­ing groove machined into the top of the head, the Otari is considered much easier to thread and edit on than a Revox.  The most compact professional tape deck at the time, this is a rugged, rock-solid rig built to be used – and it certainly was. If you look carefully, you can see the character marks, particularly on the threading diagram sticker. Most of these you'll find have this sticker removed, but we think it's so cool to keep it – an honest vintage piece. Functionally, this is as good a unit as you're likely to find. If there's one thing that audiophiles agree on, it's that "tape sounds better than vinyl," so if you're ready to get serious about analog, give us a shout. 

PRODUCTION 1983-89 CONDITION 9/10 SERIAL NO. 18820024 ORIG. MSRP $1500 RESTORATION

• Full 30-point service check
• Cleaned controls, switches, and chassis

SPECS

Type  Professional Open Reel Tape Recorder

Track system  2-track, 2-channel, stereo system

Heads  1 x 2T playback, 1 x 4T playback, 1 x record, 1 x erase

Motor  2 x reel, 1 x capstan

Speeds  7.5 and 3.75 ips capable

Reel size  7 or 10.5 inch reel

Equalization  NAB, IEC

Tape speeds  7 1⁄2 15 ips

Wow and flutter  0.06% (15 ips)

Frequency response  30Hz to 20kHz (15 ips)

Signal to Noise Ratio  66dB

Total harmonic distortion  0.5%

Dimensions  17"W x 20.75"H x 9"D

Weight  53 lbs.

LINER NOTES

The MX-5050B II-2 model operates at all three standard speeds: 15, 7 1/2 and 3 3/4 IPS, with defeatable Variable Pitch at all speeds. Variable pitch is available in both recording and playback modes. The machine uses standard quarter inch tape on 5, 7 and 10 1/2 inch reels. This is the Half-Track 2 Channel version, with 4-Track 2 Channel playback accomplished with a simple flip of a switch under the "flip-up" head cover. All recordings are performed in Half-Track mode.

Among the many professional features of the MX-5050 series are: selective reproduction, motion sensing, an edit control that permits spilling, an adjustable cueing control for audible monitoring in the fast-forward and rewind modes, a built-in two frequency low distortion test and cue-tone oscillator, a computerized elapsed time indicator with a digital LED display, front adjustable record bias, equalization, and level controls, active balanced input and output circuits, a reference flux level indicator on the front amplifier panel, a standard reference level output switch, separate line and microphone input level controls for each channel, switches for recording levels, equalization, microphone, and output level attenuators, play-back equalization pots for each speed, a memory stop for automatically stopping the tape in the rewind mode at a predetermined position, ceramic tape guides, big head housing, lower transport noise, and improved specifications for distortion, erase effect, and signal and noise ratio.

STOCK NO. 7610762166493