If you are looking at used, I would recommend an Otari 5050 BIII, rather than a BII. It is easier to use - mounting reels, etc. I also have a Technics 1506 that Doc modded. I think the tape path was made a bit easier to thread. Definitely, getting a bypass of the electronics with Bottlehead Seduction or Repro (if you have more $$). That is what I have on my 1506. The Otari is quite good sounding with its solid state electronics, but not at the level of the Bottlehead electronics. Good luck, Larry
