MX-5050 B-III: history

In the period press, 1990–1995↑ TOP

The B-III is the B-II renamed and improved, announced with the MARK IV at the spring 1990 NAB show. The press record is short: trade news, dealer listings and a few used ones.

1. Mar 1990 · US

   NAB introductions: "MX-5050-B-III 2-track featuring improvements to the B-II and the MK-IV series: 2,4 and 8-track machines." Radio World, March 14, 1990 (page 56 of the PDF).

2. Aug 1991 · UK

   The UK trade news of the renaming: the B-III, the BQ-III and the half-inch Mk IV, with better HF response and signal-to-noise. Studio Sound, August 1991

3. Oct 1991 · US

   Otari's radio line-up ad announces that the B-II has become the B-III. Broadcast Engineering, October 1991

4. Nov 1991 · US

   A dealer listing: an optional quarter-track playback head or a full-track version, and a three-point mini autolocator. Radio World, November 6, 1991

5. Mar 1992 · US

   The B-III and MARK IV launch in Otari's own words, as the fourth MX-5050 generation. Radio World, March 25, 1992

6. July 1995 · US

   Still in a broadcast dealer's catalogue, at $3,850. Radio World, July 12, 1995

A used B-III was already on offer in 1992: "Otari MX5050 BIII-2, less than 25 hrs use, in box, $2500." (Radio World, October 7, 1992, page 39 of the PDF).

Sources↑ TOP

The research dossier behind this page lists 14 B-III sightings.

• Studio Sound, August 1991: the renaming
• Broadcast Engineering, October 1991: "RADIO'S TOP TEN!"
• Radio World, November 6, 1991: a dealer listing
• Radio World, March 25, 1992: the launch story
• Radio World, July 12, 1995: the 1995 price
• Radio World, March 14, 1990, PDF p.56: the NAB introduction
• Radio World, October 7, 1992, PDF p.39: a used price