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Author Topic: Otari head swap  (Read 5863 times)

Offline Listens2tubes

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Otari head swap
« on: August 01, 2011, 07:26:26 PM »
I have a set of Otari MTR 10-II-C 2 track heads I'd like to install on my MX5050BII-2. They will mount to the 5050 headblock. They will need alignment and calibration. They are part # GH4R132 and GH4P133. Theses are wide (fill the shields) chrome finish with thin horizontal lines discerning the tracks beauties. Is this an upgrade? Crossing fingers and hoping here.
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline ironbut

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2011, 02:57:37 AM »
Hi Neal,

It's certainly worth a try and as long as it's either an impedance match or you can adjust the input impedance of the eq filter(s) correctly, I it could be worthwhile.
You should probably find out the impedances of the 5050 and the MTR 10 heads, work out the math first (if needed). Getting all your duck in a row before you make the switch won't strain your aural memory as much.

Remember that all heads aren't shaped the same either. The contact area may be bigger or smaller. So be sure and remember to adjust tape tension (you should really adjust this whenever you do anything that is in the tape path or motors (which kinda means,.. everything?).

I think that this kind of experimentation is great! Sometimes the results might not be what could technically be call an improvement, but sometimes the differences will be right down your alley (tonal preferences).

Have fun!
« Last Edit: August 02, 2011, 03:15:53 AM by ironbut »
steve koto
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Offline Listens2tubes

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2011, 07:24:50 AM »
Thanks for your relpy Steve. I will post pix of the heads soon.
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline ironbut

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2011, 11:11:40 AM »
Hey Neal,

One cool aspect of this forum is having a place where folks with other machines post.
Take for instance your current situation.
You need the spec's for the MTR-10 repro head (I'm assuming that's what we're talking about). You may be able to find this by some web surfing or (since you're here anyway), just run a search for that machine.
If you look at the threads in this forum (tape tech), you'll notice a thread started by Gkar a few threads down. If I were you, I'd shoot him a PM and ask him if he has those spec's (by part#).
steve koto
 Sony scd 777es(R. Kern mods)> Vpi Aires>Dynavector XX-2mkll>Bent mu>CAT ultimate>CJ premeir 140>Magnepan 1.6qr(Jensen xover)Headphone Eddie Current Zana Deux>AT ad2000,HD800 ,Metric Halo ULN-2 (battery powered),
 HE Audio Jades

Offline Listens2tubes

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2011, 03:20:41 PM »
Here are the heads on their original block
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline Gkar

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 08:57:15 PM »
oh man, I need that for my Otari MTR-10!
"Music possesses far richer means of expression, and it is a more subtle medium in which to translate the thousand shifting moments in the mood of a soul." - Tchaikovsky

Offline Listens2tubes

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2011, 07:51:16 AM »
The picture doesn't do them justice. :-) Do the heads on your MTR-10 look like these?
Neal - Ampex Fineline F-44, 3 - Otari MX5050BII-2, Revox A77 Mk II , Teac A 4010s, 4070, Sony TC102A, Magnecord 1020, Systemdek IIX/Dynavector Karat 17D2MKII, CEC CD3300 CDP, K Works NanoMax DAC, Van Alsine Transcendence Eight+ tube preamp, Dynaco MkIV amp pair, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v1

Offline steve00021

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Re: Otari head swap
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2011, 03:14:05 AM »
Hi
They look like the same heads that are on my MTR15, I have a service manual for the MTR15 and will try and find the head specs and post.

steve