So you're still bitten by the 2" bug, eh?
OK, I'll say this... First off, don't look at the original MTR90 but rather
the MTR90 version II. As I understand the 1st vers had numerous problems. Second, if you have a choice, first see what local studios have for sale. I've seen an MTR100A (great machine), sell for $1900 locally, after being on the market for a very long time and never selling for its original asking price of 3500. It needed a relap though. What I'm getting at is that dealers / brokers tack on an extra % on these machines, sometimes several thousand more, than real street value and that you should call around, to different studios, and see what they're selling and actually deal with a private seller. If you actually get there, ask for documentation as to the heads condition or split the cost with the seller and send off the headstack to get it analyzed. Otherwise, if the heads are shot (and you can't really know by visual inspection alone) then the machine is practically worthless. Its worth is dictated solely on the the condition of the heads.
The same goes for the MCI and whichever machine you pick, get it on condition and make sure you get a head report / documentation and do a thorough check on the machine prior to purchase. See here:
http://www.analogrules.com/buymachines.html
http://www.analogrules.com/badheads.html
As far as price, again, this depends on the condition of the heads (and also on the model of the machine).... and what it is worth to you. If I were shopping for one of these beasts, I think one with decent, a lot of life left heads, a well maintained machine with all passed with green colors, whether MCI or OTARI, would be well worth 2 - 3K, tops. The OTARI would probably be more expensive than the MCI, in equal condition but the MCI might have better part support and be easier to work on. Again, those are just my prices and my opinion. You should, however, probably make a lower offer than that.
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