Studer vs Otari

Blank tape is too big of a problem to buy a reel of any kind.

Inna, I've had my Technics 1500 for 20 years, and it's never been to the shop, plus you get good support from Panasonic when it comes to parts. Since you already know someone who can make it like new, I don't know why you don't have one?



      http://www.thevintageknob.org/technics-RS-1500U.html

I own a Technics RS-1500 and an Otari 4 track MX 5050 that comes in two pieces. Since I've owned a number of reel to reel decks, I see things a lot of people don't see; like tape handling for example; the more expensive Otari is a beauty to behold, the tape moves silently without a sound as do all of the most expensive decks, but it's extremely complex because it's a "professional" machine.

The Technics is reliable and easy to work on, I replaced all the capacitors in mine with "Black Gates", and I also replaced all of the transistors; quite naturally I get superior audio.

Since the Otari is "quarter track" and the Technics is half track, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges; the half track naturally sounds superior.

I don't care what brand I got, I wouldn't want anything less than a half track.

In regard to your question, although I've never owned a Studer, from what I know, that's the one to get, but I'm more than satisfied with my Technics.