Thinking of getting an Otari MTR-90... anyone have experience with this deck?

[THD]

So I have been looking for a 24 track 2 inch machine for a while now and have finally found an Otari MTR-90 MK1 in very good condition. Just wondering if anyone here has ever worked with one? How do they sound? Are they reliable? Got any good links to info on Otari stuff? Thanks.

 

[qwarks]

I can't speak directly to the MTR-90s but do know that they are widely
regarded machines.

I just bought an MX70 1" 8-track from a guy that was also selling an MTR-90 MK III, to offset the cost of a Studer A827. That MTR-90 that he was
auctioning was in pristine shape .

I think that I've read that the MTR-90 has superior low-end response than
the later MTR-100s but it maybe the other way, around ..

I was seriously considering 2" 16, but for my purposes it was too heavy
of a machine to consider, and as a one man studio/one man band .I can
get by with 8 tracks .

But I digress ..

John Klett is a reknowned tech who is very knowledgeable about the Otari
recordes having serviced scores of them over the years. He's performing
some routine maintenance on my machine before it's shipped out .

contact him at :tech@technicalaudio.com and ask him what he thinks .

It may take a few days to get a reply(as it did me..) but he will take the
time to answer whatever questions that you may have, and thouroughly

That should give you the necessary info to make a decision.

Good luck !

 

[THD]

Thanks for that info and enjoy that MX-70!

 

[acorec]

So I have been looking for a 24 track 2 inch machine for a while now and have finally found an Otari MTR-90 MK1 in very good condition. Just wondering if anyone here has ever worked with one? How do they sound? Are they reliable? Got any good links to info on Otari stuff? Thanks.

I researched all the 24 track 2" machines out there and looked at many before I made my decision. The Otari have hard to find parts, need constant maintenance and do not sound as good as some others. I bought an MCI JH24 made in 1983. The MCI's are great rock machines that are easy to get parts for and easy to align/maintain. Go to Gearslutz and do a search on the Otari for many professional opinions. This place is what started me looking at the MCI JH24. I found out later that this machine is one of Fletcher's favorites! Can't argue with that much.

Good luck.

 

[Raw-Tracks]

I researched all the 24 track 2" machines out there and looked at many before I made my decision. The Otari have hard to find parts, need constant maintenance and do not sound as good as some others.
Good luck.

Otari MTR90's are great machines, unless you are talking about an MK-I. Those are crap. Parts are available for the MKII and MKIII, MKI parts may be hard to come by. I hope the above comments were made in reference to an MKI. Sound quality on the MTR90 MKII/III is on par with any of the 2" machines out there. Is it better/worse? That's too subjective.

If I were in the market for a 2" machine, an Otari MTR90MkII/III would be high on my list. I worked in a pro facility that had 4 of these machines in heavy use. I would not use the phrase "needs constant maintenance" anywhere near an MkII/III. They are rock solid.

Good Luck

 

[acorec]

Otari MTR90's are great machines, unless you are talking about an MK-I. Those are crap. Parts are available for the MKII and MKIII, MKI parts may be hard to come by. I hope the above comments were made in reference to an MKI. Sound quality on the MTR90 MKII/III is on par with any of the 2" machines out there. Is it better/worse? That's too subjective.

If I were in the market for a 2" machine, an Otari MTR90MkII/III would be high on my list. I worked in a pro facility that had 4 of these machines in heavy use. I would not use the phrase "needs constant maintenance" anywhere near an MkII/III. They are rock solid.

Good Luck

Yes, we are talking about the MkI (at least the poster was). I have not read much great about them. The later ones were different and ALL 2" machines have SOME kinda maitenance problem. It just depends on which machine you are talking about. The grass is always greener..........................