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Author Topic: Otari Upgrades  (Read 9968 times)

Offline jcmusic

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Otari Upgrades
« on: August 04, 2008, 07:07:40 PM »
Does anyone have any info or knowledge about upgrading the electronics in the MX5050 BII? Any advice or opinions?

Jay
Redpoint Model D TT/Soundsmith Sotto Voce Cartridge Otari MX 5050 BII/BH Tube Repro deHavilland Model 222
 Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000, Rogue Magnum 99, Korneff 45 SET Amp, Klipsch K-Horns Bass Bins/2" Tractrix Horns 2" BMS Drivers, Vintage Tubes.

Offline Scott D. Smith

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2008, 07:34:12 PM »
The easy answer, I'm afraid, is; don't bother. By the time you do any significant upgrades, the money and effort would be better spent for obtaining a better deck.
Scott D. Smith CAS
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Offline jcmusic

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2008, 03:56:32 PM »
Do you really think that is the easy answer?

Jay
Redpoint Model D TT/Soundsmith Sotto Voce Cartridge Otari MX 5050 BII/BH Tube Repro deHavilland Model 222
 Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000, Rogue Magnum 99, Korneff 45 SET Amp, Klipsch K-Horns Bass Bins/2" Tractrix Horns 2" BMS Drivers, Vintage Tubes.

ceved

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2008, 06:26:41 PM »
Jay,
I believe the answer to your question depends upon the level of performance you wish to attain from the Otari.
I think highly of the Otari for what it is.  I own two different models.  I purchased them with the idea of cheaping my way into the TP ballpark with a direct output from the playback heads, and a head replacement from Flux magnetics.  These are relatively inexpensive upgrades.
Then I started to look into the Bottlehead outboard stuff, but ultimately settled on the Aria.
Unfortunately, you may find that outboarding is the only way to achieve your goals. 
When I started to add up all the expense for the performance quality I wanted I found that for me the difference in cost between a 'tricked out' Otari and a refurbished Ampex 102 did not make sense over the expected life of the machine as well as my own life expectancy.
It also had a lot to do with the system that I was putting the RTR into.
Ultimately I did not believe that I would be satisfied with the combination.
But that is me.
I do not own fancy cars, boats, and the like, but I do like my stereo rig and plenty of software.
I am not aware of anyone doing upgrades modifications to stock Otari electronics.  That is why I jumped right to outboarding.
Have you contacted bze on Ebay?
He sells a lot of Otari machines and he is quite knowledgeable, and has excellent feed back.
I purchased three machines from him.
You may want to contact some of the repair/service professionals listed in the forum for the real skinny.
I hope you found this helpful.



Offline jcmusic

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2008, 07:39:31 AM »
Charles
Thanks for responding, I have spoke with a couple of others who say that really good improvements can be made by replacing some caps and the op amps. Just how much of an improvement we will have to see
after. It may be enough or not only time will tell, right now I am on fact gathering quest to see which direction to go. OP amps are not that expensive neither are caps, but there are so many to choose from. Hence the inquiry. I may very well end up with the outboard stuff, but before I do I want to be sure I didn't miss anything.

Jay
Redpoint Model D TT/Soundsmith Sotto Voce Cartridge Otari MX 5050 BII/BH Tube Repro deHavilland Model 222
 Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000, Rogue Magnum 99, Korneff 45 SET Amp, Klipsch K-Horns Bass Bins/2" Tractrix Horns 2" BMS Drivers, Vintage Tubes.

Offline ironbut

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2008, 05:20:15 PM »
Hey Jay, there are folks that take the advice of people who probably know better and then there's people like me. Some of the the time I ask for advice ( one of my most persistent  failings is not asking for help,.. if we ever get lost together, never-ever follow me!) but sometimes I wonder why. I'm just one of those guys that has to find out for myself. And even though guys like Doc will pull their hair out wondering why I'm doing such and such after I was told it wouldn't work, I still feel like I'm missing out on the experience and what can be learned through trying if I don't. Of course I don't have "fans", like Doc has, waiting for an upgrade or new product to be released. Ahh, the luxury of anonymity.
So I say, go for it Jay.
Have you read the upgrade guide for B77's that Arian wrote? Even though it's for a totally different machine, it would be a great primer for what you seem to have in mind.
http://www.tapeproject.com/smf/index.php/topic,411.0.html
steve koto
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Offline Ben

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2008, 10:55:59 AM »
I plan to (later) to pick up a second Otari 5050 II for parts and a real service manual. This way I don't have to worry about distroying my main deck. Offhand I would say only 25% improvement could be done replacing the solid state op amps and caps. The main problem is the output stage of the opamps - they are not designed for low distortion.
Set 45,Open baffle speakers,Otari 5050,,Pioneer DV-79AVi DVD/CD/SCAD player

Offline bobschneider

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2008, 11:39:29 AM »
It's not that hard to add tape head outputs to an Otari 5050.  I think there's a thread on how to do this on this board.  Then you can use whatever electronics you want, such as the Seduction. 
Bob Schneider

Offline Ben

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Re: Otari Upgrades
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2008, 09:28:03 AM »
Later ... much later. I just spent all my free cash.
Right now I am waiting for more news on Docs secret head
upgrades.
Set 45,Open baffle speakers,Otari 5050,,Pioneer DV-79AVi DVD/CD/SCAD player