Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MRT-15 vs ???

« on: August 04, 2012, 12:30:31 PM »

Thanks for that clarification Paul.  I still must respectfully but strongly disagree with the statement "The electronics of the MTR-15 are quite poor sounding--nowhere near what any of the Bottlehead options provide."  I, and others who have heard them in my system, find the repro to be right up there with the best of decks and certainly not in need of an outboard repro unit to sound great.  Would it sound better with the Bottlehead repro or King Cello?  Without a doubt the answer is yes, maybe by 5-10%.  $5,000 better?  Heck no.

2

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MRT-15 vs ???

« on: August 03, 2012, 07:20:56 PM »

Thanks, Neil.  The HRS rack and isolation bases make a very noticeable improvement in sonics.  The photo could be a bit better.  Below the VAC is an Oppo BDP-83 CD player modified by John Tucker of Exemplar Audio with a separate power supply and 5965 tube output stage.  The TT is a Nottingham Hyperspace with Ace Anna arm, Wave Mechanic, and ZYX UNIverse cartridge.  The MC phono in the VAC is superb and I use it's balanced inputs with the tape machines.

3

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MRT-15 vs ???

« on: August 03, 2012, 08:29:21 AM »

I have two Otari MTR-15's and have to strongly disagree that the repro is "very poor sounding".  The Otari MTR-10 and -12 would fall into that category, but the -15 is a whole 'nother breed of cat.  It's electronics are very transparent and very dynamic.  I have compared it with stock Studers and with Bottlehead Eros and Repro as well as King Cello.  The Studers are colored in comparison.  I will concede the sonic edge to Repro and King Cello, but the MTR-15 holds its own very well.  The cost and hassle factor of outboard electronics do not, in my opinion, add enough improvement to music playback to make them even worth thinking about.

My system is highly resolving and other tape heads who have heard tapes played back through the MTR-15 in my system are universally pleased and impressed.

4

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX-5050 series tape head direct wire out

« on: June 06, 2009, 08:16:14 PM »

Just a note to give a vote of confidence in Zvi Braitman.  I bought an Otari MX 5050 II B2 from him on eBay.  It arrived better than described and was packed as carefully as can be - it really could have been dropped off a loading dock and not been damaged.  I took the deck over to Bottlehead and Doc said it was about the cleanest he'd ever seen. 

I am wondering if the tape head direct wire out that you had done left the XLRs intact, or if they were disabled in the process.  My understanding is that they should be disabled (can't remember the electronic reason why).

Thanks for any additional info.