Would I really notice that much of a difference between the Studer and Otari? Thanks in advance!
The Studer is certainly top of the class...but Otari is considered a workhorse, especially the MX-80.
Is it worth the extra thousands for your find a Studer instead of the Otari....? That's your call.
If you are looking for extreme "tape machine" mojo....instead of the Studer, go look at MCI or Ampex decks, but of course, they will also need a lot more constant TLC.
I always dreamed of a Studer....but I have an MX-80, and it's a great machine. I have nothing bad to say about mine.
There are also a lot of people who will tell you they like the MX-80 more over the MTR-90...but of course, the MTR-90 is a newer and "slicker" deck.....but the MX-80 just keeps on going, and going, and going....
For about $2-$2.5k...you should be able to find a well kept MX-80. The MTR-90 is going to run from about $3-$5k, depending.
Here....this guy's been trying to sell this MX-80 for at least two years now. I've tried a couple of times to talk him into parting it out (I wanted a few pieces)...but he's refused, and just keeps re-listing it.
You can probably talk him down to $2500...and I would make sure it's all operational before buying it. He's in Huston, TX...so that may be good for you to go look at it.
It has the autolocator too, which is hard to find, but honestly, not really all the necessary at all unless you're doing video post or what have you, and you need endless/constant cue points to locate to etc...
For straight up recording, it's not much use...but nice to have.
Oh...there's a guy on eBay selling the plexi-glass meter cover for an MTR-90, it might work on the MX-80 so you can replace the one on the machine that has a crack in it...?...don't know for sure if it will work.
Use that plexi crack and the fact that it's been sitting for so long and that he hasn't been able to sell in over two years of trying to your advantage to talk him down in the price.
Otari MX 80 with Remote CB 140 Auto Locator cm 120 | eBay