Reel to reel

@inna it would probably be beneficial to have someone close to you do any work on your deck if possible. Prior to my finding someone local to me who works on Paul Stubblebine's decks I bought a Pelican case for my Otari to protect it during shipping. It's important that the large power transformer remain secure because if it breaks off it will most likely result in additional internal damage. As far as recommendations, Soren Witt in Chicago serviced my Otari and I did my own upgrades using parts supplied by Athan Corporation. John French is great as well. For Revox I would suggest Arian Jansen from Sonorus Audio who has rebuilt/upgraded many an A-77 and B-77, and knows his way around Studer decks as well.

After a lot of research, I just purchased a beautifully restored/refurbed Otari MX5050Bii2 from a gentleman known as Professor Audio on Reverb. His work is superb and the Otari now trumps my Technics RS1506 (needs a complete refurb including caps) and my consumer grade TEAC X-1000R in appearance, sound, and functionality. Mr. Walls also provides lifetime technical assistance when you purchase one of his Decks. In addition, he will take the time to talk you through a basic calibration if the need arises for your deck if you have the desire to learn how to DIY. He specializes in refurbishing and repairing Otari’s and is passionate about the brand, but he may have expertise with other brands as well. But he has been doing rtr repair and refurbishment for over 4 decades and certainly has the experience. If you need more info, please PM me. If there is a way to post pictures here, please tell me and I will post of few of the professional pictures he sent me upon completion of the deck before the sale.
If you reach out to him, tell him gusser recommended him via the AG forum. :)

Addendum:  Here is a link to Reverb showing the original ad Professor audio posted.  I believe you may have to be a registered member of reverb to view "sold" items so the link may not work.  If that is the case, my apologies. 
FYI:  I had purchased the deck before it was listed.  You can read the description of the detailed work he did on my deck as well as look at the pictures showing the deck and all accessories he included as a package.  As I have not figured out how to post pics on the forum, please enjoy the pics in lieu of my posting the pics myself.  

https://reverb.com/item/16672128-otari-mx-5050bii2-reel-to-reel-mastering-tape-deck-fully-restored-museum-condition?show_sold=true

In the filters on the left hand side of the page, be sure "All" and "Sold Listings" are checked.  Enjoy.the read and the pics.  

Gusser, I'm green with envy; hope he's got one for me.

I don't think refurb includes new capacitors; if not, they don't cost much, and they make a huge difference. "Nichicon" are very good. The price of the work would depend on the difficulty, but your reel would be closer to a new one.


Happy listening!

Hi Orpheus10,

In all fairness, I really wasn’t planning on getting one, but even after being a tapehead (tapeheads.net...another forum one should check out for r2r stuff) for half a century, I wasn’t aware of the half track mode... always wondered what that 2trk 4trk switch was for on my RS1506, but was only interested in recording bands I was in or FM music. 4trk was all i needed.

The Otari brand kept coming up as a pro machine, even more than the technics, but in all fairness, the transport on the 1506 is smoother. It was just good timing that I was introduced to Mr. Walls as he was finishing my new pride and joy.

Another poster here on AG inquired and Mr. Wall gave me permission to give him his contact info. He had 3 Otari’s (not sure what models) doing final burn in the wings, soon to be posted on Reverb.... he now has two. :)

He also gave me permission to share his reverb webpage where I felt it was appropriate.

Mr. Walls does a detailed testing of all active and passive electronic components during his refurb. If a transistor, IC, (newer models) cap or diode is out of spec, he replaces it. Caps I believe are the weak link. Especially in the older R2R’s. I believe he mentions that in the details of the refurbishment of my deck, but check to be sure. .

I believe he does about 2 Otari’s a month. But delays in getting ordered replacement parts can slow things down a bit. As I mentioned, timing was everything for in this case, having the good fortune of finding such a clean example of this venerable deck nearing completion. Being an r2r enthusiast, I felt it was surely worth the cost of admission.

Happy hunting!