Advice on buying Tascam MSR-24 - Request for schematic

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shepdog

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I've found an MSR-24 on craigslist that needs a power supply, new arm, and two or three channels. He claims the heads to be in ok shape and the rest of the machine fine apart from the two or three channels and the arm that needs replacing.I'm hoping to locate a schematic so I can build a power supply for it. I've talked him down to $350, and am wondering how that sounds, assuming I can figure something out in regards to powering it.
 
I can probably in the schematics for the PSU - if I remember - but that PSU is a beast, so don't expect to be able to drive the thing with a simple switch-mode supply. The PSU module is about a third of the weight of the machine - probably in transformers and the power interconnect between it and the deck is really weird. IIRC it has about five independent circuits for each subsystem of the machine.

There's a nice shot of it here:
TASCAM MSR24 For Sale

Oh, and advice-wise, make sure it's the MSR-24 you're looking at (DBX), and not the 24S (Dolby). The Dolby circuits have a horrible tendency to die.

EDIT:
So yeah, just going on the photo, it's providing +12 and -12v lines for the audio cards (apparently two circuits, for the amps and bias circuits...?), 24v for the capstan, 15v for the reel motors (?), 12v for the solenoids, and a 5v line for the logic.
 
What excuse if any did the seller give for not having the power supply, power umbilical cable?

Personally, I'd pass on a such a machine. Even if it was free because building the PSU and cable, replacing the "arm"(?), fixing or repairing the bad channel cards, ordering a manual and calibration tape is going to easily cost more then what you could get a gentler used one with all the accessories.

Cheers! :)
 
I've seen these go for around US$1000-1500, give or take. So is US$350 worth it for a parts deck? Maybe, if you add up things like LED panels, channel cards, and the price of new heads vs relapping these, and other odds and ends. Probably, but that is what you are buying.
 
Alright I probed a bit more. He said that it needs a new tension arm because it is slightly bent, and as a result, the reel scrapes against the machine. Im not exactly sure how the tension arm would cause that. He also says that he has another power supply and with it, he is able to get the machine running. Personally, I'm feeling pretty good about this, it's just a matter of tracking down that schematic for the power supply.
 
shepdog said:
Alright I probed a bit more. He said that it needs a new tension arm because it is slightly bent, and as a result, the reel scrapes against the machine. Im not exactly sure how the tension arm would cause that. He also says that he has another power supply and with it, he is able to get the machine running. Personally, I'm feeling pretty good about this, it's just a matter of tracking down that schematic for the power supply.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a machine that's been dropped or heavily impacted by something strong enough to bend the tension arm and the reel motor shaft, which is what would cause the reel flange to scrape against case.

I'm not sure what's causing you to "feel good about this" but I'd give it some sober thought before you take the plunge. Or as others have said, think of it strictly as a parts machine.

Cheers! :)
 
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If you are looking for a working machine, don't buy this one. You will be better off to pay a little more for one that does not have problems and come with the power supply, you will never find a power supply and the cost to build one will clear any savings you make. If you already have a working machine than this would be a good parts machine.

Alan.
 
The +/-12V rails would be for the dbx. The +/-15V rails are for the audio. +24V is for the transport (motors, solenoids). +5V is for, as was said, logic and probably LED's.
 
Just an FYI. . . I recently paid $850 for one in good condition w/snakes and cables. . . They're out there. . . I'd keep looking.
 
:guitar:hahah I payed $10.000.00 (at a great discount) back in the mid 90s for my Tascam MSR24S and still works flawlessly !!! :thumbs up:
 
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