Otari MX-5050 series tape head direct wire out

[esb1954]

Has any one done a direct tape head out rewire on an Otari yet?  I took my MX-5050 BII 2 to a tech in the Orlando area who wired it to a pair of rca female connectors that he attached to the back panel.  He wired it from the back of the preamp board, where the wires from the heads connect onto the board.  It took him very little time and about 5 inches of wire.  I can use the onboard preamp or go directly to an external tape head preamp.  I got a chance to see inside the Otari and it looks like it would be easy to get to everything.  Well laid out for a techs point of view to repair it.

[kazoo]

Hi,
Can you take some pictures of that. I would like to know where the tech hooked up to and how he wired up the RCAs. As much detail as possible would be appriciated.
Thank you,

John

[ceved]

I have discussed this with Mike at ATR Services in York PA.
He said it was not a big deal.
Cutting the hole in the back of the Otari sheet metal is proably the hardest part.

[anatta]

Who is your reel tech in Orlando? I use a guy in Wekiva Springs, Seminole County. His name is Zvi. He works from his garage and does great work but is slow at getting to the project. I have not been able to find another tech around that has parts and knowledge of Revox and Otari reels.

[John Brooks]

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.

[jcmusic]

Because the signal is taken directly from the head, bypassing all the internal playback electronics.

Jay

[luvmy92]

I'm sad to say that Zvi passed away in October of 2009. Does someone know of another tech in the Orlando area? I just purchased an Otari MX5050 B2HD and wanted to do the tape head external wiring to a tape preamp.

Thanks in advance,
Mike