MX 5050 BII vs MX 5050 BIII

[timroswell]

I saw a MX 5050 BII on EBay with a pretty good price, was wondering what the difference is between that version MX 5050 BIII.

[ironbut]

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm no Otari expert and hopefully one will chime in to be more specific.
It seems that most of the difference between the two models is more in the bells and whistles such as auto seek. After working on a Mklll, I have to admit that these automated features are very cool but they're still more of a convenience.
On the practical side, most Mkll's are 4 head machines that records and plays back 2 track stereo (1/2 track) but also plays back in 1/4 track which most prerecorded tapes from the mid 60's onward are recorded as.
On the Mklll, the 4th 1/4 track head was an option and I've seen very few that have this option.

If you're in the market for an Otari, take your time. There are tons of them out there and price doesn't always track condition. I've seen mint machines for less than $200 while I've seen total train wrecks for close to a grand.
There are lots of posts regarding these machines so use the Search.
If you check out the Links sticky (which resides above the General forum), there are links to repair/maintenance and pdf. files of the manuals.

[Listens2tubes]

I love my BII-2 as well as have a couple BII-HD's. These have the 4 head configuration which makes them a no brainer for home and studio. The BIII is single format 3 head headblocks. Meaning the BII decks will have a 1/4 track play head for those pre recorded tapes, where the BIII needs a whole 1/4 track headblock.

[astrotoy]

I have the four head option on my BIII - 2 track record and play and 4 track play only. It also has standard hubs for changing reels, while the only BII I have seen has a much clunkier reel hold mechanism. 

Larry

[Listens2tubes]

So you have a BII-2 headblock? I had thought this would likely work but have seen no evidence till now. As for the NAB adapters, I would love to have the twist lock holddowns of a BIII so I could use those Revox aluminum flairs that look sooo coool.

[bobschneider]

So you have a BII-2 headblock? I had thought this would likely work but have seen no evidence till now. As for the NAB adapters, I would love to have the twist lock holddowns of a BIII so I could use those Revox aluminum flairs that look sooo coool.

My BIII came with a 3 head 1/2 track only head block, with a dummy head where the 1/4 track playback head would go.  I swapped in a BII 4 head block without any trouble -the headblocks are interchangeable.  I may have also had to change out the headblock cover to accommodate the 1/2 to 1/4 switch - it was a few years ago I did this, so I don't remember all the specifics.

[astrotoy]

The headblock I bought (with the 4tr head) had the switch between 2tr and 4tr built in.  Larry