Anyone familiar with an Otari MX5050?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Somnium7
  • Start date Start date
Somnium7

Somnium7

Noise Criminal
Found one of these going for $250. Guy says it's in nice condition with low hours. Anybody used one of these before?
How does it rate to say, a 388 in sound quality?
Is the price right?

Any info/experiences helpful.

it's the 2 track btw..
Thanks!

Mike
 
Somnium7 said:
Found one of these going for $250. Guy says it's in nice condition with low hours. Anybody used one of these before?
How does it rate to say, a 388 in sound quality?
Is the price right?

Any info/experiences helpful.

Thanks!

Mike
Click to expand...

$250 for an Otari 8-track would be a great price if it's decent condition.

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing it would sound at least as good as the 388, if not better, because it runs 1/2" tape instead of 1/4".

One of them just sold on ebay for $419, and the audio hadn't even been tested on it. It also had a part that had been disintegrating.
 
Thanks beagle! I also managed to find the manual:
http://www.otari.com/support/pdf/litsheets/22091.pdf

in the manual it says 1/4" tape. Also says DBX compatible. I suppose that means I need an outboard NR box...

I'm gonna talk to the guy on phone later, any questions I ought to be asking besides the obvious ones?

Mike
 
Somnium7 said:
Thanks beagle! I also managed to find the manual:
http://www.otari.com/support/pdf/litsheets/22091.pdf

in the manual it says 1/4" tape. Also says DBX compatible. I suppose that means I need an outboard NR box...

I'm gonna talk to the guy on phone later, any questions I ought to be asking besides the obvious ones?

Mike
Click to expand...

You may want to hold off on the NR until you test it out. A lot of people (myself included) think the "tape hiss" stories are exaggerated, especially since digital is everywhere now.

Obviously ask him if all the tracks and all functions work, and I'd ask him why he's selling it.

Other than that, sounds like a great deal.
 
Somnium7 said:
Thanks beagle! I also managed to find the manual:
http://www.otari.com/support/pdf/litsheets/22091.pdf

in the manual it says 1/4" tape. Also says DBX compatible. I suppose that means I need an outboard NR box...

I'm gonna talk to the guy on phone later, any questions I ought to be asking besides the obvious ones?

Mike
Click to expand...

Wait a minute, which machine does he have? The manual you linked to was the MX 5050 BIII, which is a two-track machine.

I assumed you were talking about the 8-track version (see my ebay link above) since you compared it to the Tascam 388.
 
Somnium7 said:
Found one of these going for $250. Guy says it's in nice condition with low hours. Anybody used one of these before?
How does it rate to say, a 388 in sound quality?
Is the price right?

Any info/experiences helpful.

it's the 2 track btw..
Thanks!

Mike
Click to expand...

I have the Otari MX-50 NII, which is a newer/cheaper version of the same machine. I think it sounds great and blows my Tascam 22-2 (similar machine, 1/4" 2 track) out of the water.

-MD
 
famous beagle said:
Wait a minute, which machine does he have? The manual you linked to was the MX 5050 BIII, which is a two-track machine.

I assumed you were talking about the 8-track version (see my ebay link above) since you compared it to the Tascam 388.
Click to expand...

Oh .. nevermind .. I just saw the "it's the 2-track, btw" in your original post. I missed that the first time for some reason.
 
$250.00 is a great price for an MKII or MKIII, if in good condition. Those are nice machines. Lots of people here have owned or used some variation.

I wouldn't pay that much for the ancient "stacked" version.

:)
 
I wasn't able to catch the dude on the phone tonight, but he did email me 3 times. He gave me a little history on the machine. says it belonged to his uncle who was meticulous in maintaining his recording equipment. Says he thinks the heads only have about 20 hours on them and everything is working to the best of his knowledge. He's gonna throw in 2 new tapes also.

This sounds almost too good to be true. I'm gonna make sure I talk to this fella before I drive 90+ miles to see it. He did send a picture though and it does look nice from what I could see.

Now then ...any suggestions on how I can sell this to the significant other? :p

Mike
 
Bargains...women LOVE bargains. Tell her how much you're saving.
 
Somnium7 said:
Found one of these going for $250. Guy says it's in nice condition with low hours. Anybody used one of these before?
How does it rate to say, a 388 in sound quality?
Is the price right?

Any info/experiences helpful.

it's the 2 track btw..
Thanks!

Mike
Click to expand...

I had 2 long time ago and they will kill a 388 sound dead first shot.

Get it now!!!
 
Beck said:
$250.00 is a great price for an MKII or MKIII, if in good condition. Those are nice machines. Lots of people here have owned or used some variation.

I wouldn't pay that much for the ancient "stacked" version.

:)
Click to expand...

If it had 20 hrs on the heads and was in great condition. I would in a heartbeat pay $250
 
MCI2424 said:
I had 2 long time ago and they will kill a 388 sound dead first shot.
Click to expand...

He's talking about a 2 track (half track), 1/4" recorder, a completely different animal to the 388.
 
I don't post much here anymore, but I used to have 2 MKIIIs (1/2" 8 track)

but I'm guessing this one is 1/4". Check out the heads, and try out both channels if you can, Otari is notorious for using unsealed umicron (I think thats the brand) relays, which messes up everything pretty much. See if the pinch roller is in decent condition. If it isn't you can get it rerubbered by this guy named terry (google him) for I think 40 bucks.
 
Excellent advice everybody and I appreciate it. The bargain line seems to be working on the Misses - nice one!

Got an appointment to see the machine on Sunday. I'll let you all know how it pans out.

Mike
 
Looking for some help with an Otari

Now I did post something on here in regards to me selling an Otari MX 5050 1/2 inch 8 track tape machine and have yet to get any responses. I live in SoCal and was wondering if anyone here might know of someone or somewhere I might be able to get this off my hands. I have a not so good pic of it, but it gives you a basic understanding of its condition....if anyone has any info or advice on how I can get this off my hands, I would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sorry im a noob to this board...... :cool:

P.S.( I couldnt attach the pic so if u want to know what it looks like msg me and I can get one to you...thanks!
 
Actually I have posted it there and on some other websites...but I have not been able to get someone to buy it.....its been on craigslist for almost a month now..(I keep reposting after it expires).......thanks for ur input.... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top