MX-5050 Find?

Nortonrider

Nortonrider

Nortonrider
Just picked up an Otari MX-5050 off DC CL--the home model with the silver face and wooden case--not a BII or BIII. Cosmetic is close to 10/10. Haven't examined it closely yet. Seller said it doesn't come up to speed; thought it might be a belt issue. Does anyone have a parts source for this? Any experience/ideas about speed problems with this deck? There isn't a lot about this particular deck in the archives. Dave M.
 
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Data plate on rear says MX5050. Underneath the Otari banner it has the numbers 4SH. No date on tag. Has an orange and yellow Los Angeles approval sticker. Serial number ends in K.
 
Otari still exsits, still makes the MX-5050 (although many changes from your version), still sells parts for it. Here's their contact info - they also have manuals for download on their site

http://www.otari.com/contact/contact_northamerica.html

The Belt Store should be able to sell you belts

http://www.beltsforanything.com/site1.php

Athan Corp has improved pinch rollers and tension arms

http://www.athan.com/cgi-local/store.cgi?sid=10195309&cat2=1027

The Tape Project Forum has a number of MX-5050 users who hang out there, and can give you pointers

http://www.tapeproject.com/smf/index.php
 
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BTW, almost all versions of the MX-5050 use a servo controlled capstan which doesn't have any belts. If there's a speed problem on these decks, it's most likely a problem with the servo controller, or possibly the motor itself. MDI Precision Motorworks are the experts on these motors - a full rebuild of the motor was $350 last I checked, the board is extra.

http://www.precisionmotorworks.com/Services.htm

Personally, I'd try replacing all the electrolytic caps on the servo board first - if that doesn't work I'd send it to MDI.

I have heard that some of the very early MX-5050s have a belt driven capstan. Since your deck is an early version, it is possible that you just have a belt problem.
 
Could be really simple...

Nortonrider said:
...Seller said it doesn't come up to speed; thought it might be a belt issue...
Click to expand...

The only belt in mine drives the counter off the supply motor.

"Come up to speed" could could mean anything, have you put tape on it yet?

When I took mine out of storage and found the pinch arm frozen, I opened it up and solved that issue, only to find it would not wind certain tapes. First issue was a stiction problem with that particular brand of tape (Scotch 226) solved by baking them. Still it would not even play with the reel size switch set to the large reel setting. De-Oxit solved (pun intended) that problem...:music:

Give the speed control pot (and switch) and all the mode switches next to the power switch a good cleaning, it might surprise you...:yes:
 
bobschneider said:
BTW, almost all versions of the MX-5050 use a servo controlled capstan which doesn't have any belts.
Click to expand...
It has always baffled me that Otari chose to keep the same model (5050) number for so many different machines. The very early versions are really completely different machines than are the BII, or BIIIs. The originals do indeed feature a belt driven design which is largely just a Teac A-Series clone.

The BII and BIIIs are very similar machines. The original is nothing like either of these.

This is not to imply that there is anything wrong with the originals, simply that they are very different from what most people think-of when one mentions Otari 5050.
 
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Nortonrider said:
I'd be happy to post a photo, but (shamefully) don't know how to post on AK.
Click to expand...

:) No problem, click "reply" then look further down on the reply box and you find "Additional Options" little further down > "Attach Files"
Click manage attachments and where it says "upload from your computer"
click Browse = pick the picture you want from your pc files and then click "Upload"
After that is done = close this window and your attachment ( photo ) will be uploaded here.
Let me know if you need any help OK :thmbsp:
 
goldear said:
It has alwasy baffled me that Otari chose to keep the same model (5050) number for so many different machines. The very early versions are really completely different machines than are the BII, or BIIIs. The originals indeed do feature a belt driven design which is largely just a Teac A-Series clone.

The BII and BIIIs are very similar machines. The original is nothing like either of these.

This is not to imply that there is anything wrong with the originals, simply that they are very different from what most people think-of when one mentions Otari 5050.
Click to expand...

I think it's the first home model of 5050 and in that case, belt-driven capstan and also the counter.
Never owned one but was helped a guy locally here once, was a lightbrown cabinet and silver front :)
 
There are no Home oriented Otari decks (unless you're a professional or broadcast type). The MX 5050 has really evolved through the years. They're much sturdier than say a X series Teac or even many ReVox decks. In reality, Otari is semi-professional/broadcast use in nature. Nice machines which are built to last.
 
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