Otari MX5050 Professional Grade 1/2 Track Masterpiece

The Otari MX5050 tape decks are a commercial grade RTR machine that was marketed towards recording studios, TV, and radio stations. Generally speaking, they were not designed for the home audio market, although many of these decks are found in audiophile systems due to their stellar performance and high reliability.

The decks offered several versions, including ‘portable’ upright decks, or ‘console’ models with the meter bridge above the transport, which sits flat. This model also featured 2, 4 or 8 channel models, with the 8 channel being a ½” tape version.

Most 2 cannel 5050 models have a control under the head cover to switch to a ¼ track playback head, so that you can  play back  ¼ track tapes as well as play and record in ½ track mode. The decks came with  7 ½ and 15 IPS speeds, however there is an option on the power supply board that allows you to use the deck in 3 ¾ and 7 ½ IPS mode. Recalibration of the deck is required however, as the record and playback eq curves will be incorrect otherwise.

The MX5050 has three direct drive motors, which simplifies the transport significantly. The only belt in the Mk1 version is for the mechanical tape counter. Versions II and III used digital tape counters, so no belt is required.

The MX5050 uses balanced XLR input and output connectors, with pin 3 being designated as ‘hot’. This option can result in no audio on occasion, while most other equipment assigns pin 2 as hot. If you run balanced to balanced cables, then you should have no issues, but if using balanced XLR to unbalanced RCA cables, on occasion these will need to be rewired at the XLR end so that pin 3 goes to the center RCA connector pin.

Strangely, I recently found out that while the MX5050 4 track/channel version has XLR inputs and outputs, the input is actually unbalanced, with pins 1 and 2 being shorted together on the motherboard. In that case it’s mandatory that you use cables that are wired as pin 3 being hot.

Overall the MX5050 series, and all Otari decks are very reliable, as they were designed to be powered on 24/7 in radio and TV stations worldwide. Most failures that I see are age, or lack-of-use related, with dirty switches and controls being common throughout the Otari 5050 (and any other RTR deck), which can be cured with control cleaner. The sound quality is excellent overall. The decks do have a bit more of an ‘industrial’ look, with no shiny chrome to be found anywhere.

What is very handy on the MX5050, is that the bias and EQ adjustments, along with the recording level to the tape can be adjusted on the front panel with a small screwdriver.  This allows  you to set these adjustments to the specific tape brand you are using. Back in the day, when radio and TV stations would use several different types of tape, this ended up being super handy. Of course, if you don’t have the proper tools and test equipment, you can certainly make a mess by mis-adjusting these trimpots. Generally speaking, these trimpot settings do not drift, so unless the deck requires a complete re-calibration, you are best off leaving these settings alone.

So yeah, another amazing piece of audio history from the amazing collection of iconic vintage components from grand collector, Richard K. This unit has been recently serviced, calibrated by our R2R master tech and and is operating without issue. Wood side panels are in fabulous shape and this one of the more rare "stainless faced" model. 

Come experience this amazing deck here at the Andover shop.. lets talk shipping before the purchase as we may have more viable options vs UPS.

Otari, MX5050 Professional 1/2 Track Masterpiece: $2,299.00 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable