Page 35 - Hi-Fi_News_-_December_2020 video

INVESTIGATION

OTARI MX5050
The all-in-one that does everything: speeds, reel-sizes, formats
and EQ. This has the same spec as Technics’ RS-1500 [p39 and
p131] but built to semi-pro or even pro standards and, unlike
the RS-1500, has switchable NAB/CCIR EQ. It’s XLR-output-
only, not pretty, but what a deck! Well-used from £500-£750,
excellent shape from £1200, near perfect for £2-£3k.
Ignore the studio variants such as the 8-track decks unless
you’re opening a studio. You want the ¼in tape model that’s
got switchable ½-track and ¼-track. By the way, Petronel
Butuc at Audiophiles Clinic says Otari produced the last-ever
open-reel decks until Ballfinger appeared. This means its

2005-6 units are the ‘newest’ of used decks.

DENON DH-710S
This is the personal favourite of Tim de Paravicini of EAR
Yoshino, and for good reason: sound quality is breathtaking.
The DH-710S doesn’t play 3¾in, but if you can afford one,
you can buy a Sony TC-350 [p39] or other beater for slow

speed duties. You’d be lucky to find a DH-710S for £1500, so
consider its siblings, the DH-510 and DH-610, for less layout.
The handling is superlative thanks to the double-capstan
system, but the deck’s appeal has escalated of late thanks
to external units like the Doshi Audio V3.0 Tapestage tape
preamp. The DH-710S is, to my knowledge, the only deck
with an umbilical lead straight from the heads, so you can
feed it with ease to external high-end preamplifi ers.

PIONEER RT-707
The sleeper awakens, for this auto-reverse, 7in spool-only unit,
19in rack-mountable gem has been rediscovered as not merely
a pretty unit designed for domestic acceptability, but also as one
of the nicest-sounding of them all. Oddly-dimensioned at 12½in
deep but standing a mere 9in tall, it is one of the most easily-

accommodated in hi-fi equipment stands. Prices are currently
escalating vertically, with good examples now commanding
£600-£1500. The RT-707 boasts good, durable heads, the
auto-reverse system is one of the best, its ease-of-use is second
to none, spooling is rapid, and tape-handling excellent.
I use mine for five to six hours on the trot, and it hasn’t

chewed a single tape. Because demand is so crazy for these
machines, not least due to the convenient shape and size, the
market where the most were sold is the one to tap: the US,
which swallowed plenty of 110V models. You can fi nd these
on eBay, hifishark or other online auction sites – when I last

checked hifishark, it had over 100. And worry not about the

voltage because converters don’t break the bank.

DECEMBER 2020 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 35