Reel-to-Reel shopping

[RawDepth]

I am looking for a good used rack mountable reel-to-reel two track recorder. I wish to pay in the neighborhood of say $500 or less. I have been looking at the Otari MX5050 Mk II 2 on Ebay. I also really did like the portability of the Pioneer RT-909 but alas, it cannot record in both directions.

Can anyone recommend a good machine for recording live stereo mixes?

Thanks

[The Ghost of FM]

The Otari you mentioned would do a decent job as would any of TASCAM's half track stereo decks like the 32, 42, 52 and BR20T.

Anything running at 15 ips in half track stereo, if in decent health, will make a very thick and full bodied recording.

Cheers!