Otari MTR-20 - worth keeping? - kind of urgent situation

[composermon]

I have to move out of my apartment on short notice tomorrow and either spend money I don't have moving this gigantic Otari MTR-20, or sell it for probably less than it's worth since it has to be tomorrow!  Any opinions about whether I should spend the money and effort to keep it or sell it and get start tracking on my laptop?  It's in good condition but what are people using them for these days? I got mine from a friend who was closing his voiceover studio where he used it only for recording M&E tracks, and that's the only use I am familiar with for it.  If I do sell it, does anyone have any idea what it's worth, and what could I get on such short notice? I'm used to the sound of a Studer 24 track - would I be happy with this if I tried using it for tracking like I did the Studer?   I'm kind of desperately stumped.  Thanks very much, sorry if this is not an appropriate question - reaching out to who ever can help. Thanks for your patience and help, Brian [email protected]

[ironbut]

Hey Brian,
That's quite a problem. If you give us the city you're in, maybe someone could help you out but I think the best thing would be to find some place to store it for a little while. Then you could make a better plan from there.

[newmedia]

Hello:

Yes your machine is worth saving and as suggested you should try to find it a temporary home while you sort this out.

This is one of the last of the Otari studio mastering decks and is capable of 2T, CTTC and 4T setups.  It has a very nice transport and will support up to 14" reels.

There weren't too many of these made (200+ ??) and it's not as famous as the Studer A820/etc that it was meant to compete with so you aren't going to get "star quality" prices but you should get enough to make it worth your while.

Depending on the head condition (and shipping costs), you could get at least $500-1000 for it.  Properly maintained (and with the right playback electronics) it would be a fine machine for TP tape listening.

Mark Stahlman
New York City

[MylesAstor]

Hello:

Yes your machine is worth saving and as suggested you should try to find it a temporary home while you sort this out.

This is one of the last of the Otari studio mastering decks and is capable of 2T, CTTC and 4T setups.  It has a very nice transport and will support up to 14" reels.

There weren't too many of these made (200+ ??) and it's not as famous as the Studer A820/etc that it was meant to compete with so you aren't going to get "star quality" prices but you should get enough to make it worth your while.

Depending on the head condition (and shipping costs), you could get at least $500-1000 for it.  Properly maintained (and with the right playback electronics) it would be a fine machine for TP tape listening.

Mark Stahlman
New York City

Mark:

Perhaps Paul can comment since he brought a 20 to CES that was converted to 2 track!

[composermon]

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it. I have found a potential buyer from Chicago, but I still haven't quite made the final decision to let it go.  I have two questions that would help with the decision, if you don't mind answering one last one! 

The first is the easier one: If I sell it now, how easy or hard would it be to find another one later and would the price be higher, lower or about the same?  I think she is willing to pay my asking price of $950.  Second question: I'm used to the sound of my Studer 24 track with Dolby SR and have tried every variety of digital made, the only thing that sounds anything like it is the older Sonic Solutions Studio, which is actually the DAW I used to master my tracks.  Would I be as happy with the sound of the Otari if I used dolby SR as I was with the Studer?  I know the transport is slower but it would seem to me the extra track width on the larger tape might even give it an edge over the Studer, used at 15 IPS with Dolby SR.  Has anyone had experience with both?  I have to make the decision in the day or two.  Thanks again, everyone! Best, Brian

[newmedia]

Hello:

You never told us what the track configuration on your machine is -- 2T or 4T, 1/4" or 1/2" -- which will have a lot to do with what the machine is worth.  Did you sell it or keep it?

This is a site that is focuses on 1/4" 2T recordings and the MTR-20 would be good for that purpose, if you aren't worried about getting spare parts for a machine that is very rare. 

There is what appears to be a 1/2" 2T machine from Tennessee on eBay now with a starting price of $4500 + freight.   That sort of setup is for mastering mixdowns and not for replaying TP tapes.  As I recall, 1/2" 2T Otari headblocks often go for $1000+ (depending on test results, etc.) so this guy is unlikely to get his starting price.

If you sell the MTR-20 you are NOT likely to find another one to replace it, since maybe only 200+ were ever made.  However, there are many other decks out there which will probably meet your needs.  Btw, I own a set of spare parts and 3x headblocks for mine.

Mark Stahlman
New York City

[tumbuna]

Looking for a set of 1/2" heads for mtr 10 & guides,rollers etc to convert 1/4" machine to 1/2". Can contact me - bradley at gmail dot com