Mark II: history
In the period press, 1977–1980↑ TOP
The Mark II took the first generation's deck and split it in two: the transport in one box, the electronics in another, with the DC servo standard. It came out in early 1977, beside the silver-face machine and a year and a half before the B. The press followed it through Otari's line-up ads into 1980.
Jan 1977 · UK
The first word, in Studio Sound's show report: "As a progression from the MX-5050 comes the new Mark II which will be available (February 1977) in two versions". Studio Sound, January 1977 (page 38 of the PDF).
Mar 1977 · US
Otari will show the Mark II "for the first time at NAB", with "separate transport and electronics for rack or console" mounting. BM/E, March 1977 (page 108 of the PDF).
Apr 1977 · US
High Fidelity calls it "Otari's Son of MX-5050": separate transport and electronics, the DC servo, an extra quarter-track playback head on the two-channel, and prices of $2,195 and $3,195. High Fidelity, April 1977
Dec 1977 · UK
Otari's UK advert for the "MX5050 MK II·2", "The new ¼·inch 2·track recorder with a finish." Studio Sound, December 1977
Jan 1978 · US
The Mark II-2 and the half-inch Mark II-4 take their places in Otari's "9 outstanding reasons" line-up ad, the same ad that runs through 1978. db, January 1978
June 1980 · US
"The New Workhorse" shows a Mark II-4 in an optional cabinet beside the 5050B. db, June 1980
What it cost↑ TOP
| Date | Model | Price as printed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1977 | two-channel / four-channel | $2,195 / $3,195 | High Fidelity, April 1977 |
| 1978 | Mark II four-channel | $3195.00 | Stereo Review Tape Recording & Buying Guide, 1978, PDF p.122 |
| 1980 | Mark II four-channel | $3595 | Stereo Review Tape Recording & Buying Guide, 1980, PDF p.57 |
Used, it outlived its advertising: a quarter-inch Mark II was offered "in gd cond, $1500/BO" in 1993 (Radio World, July 28, 1993, page 52 of the PDF).
Sources↑ TOP
The research dossier behind this page lists 50 Mark II sightings. The ones with their own page are in the Period Press library.
- High Fidelity, April 1977: "Otari's Son of MX-5050"
- Studio Sound, December 1977: the UK MK II-2 advert
- db, January 1978: the "9 outstanding reasons" line-up
- db, June 1980: "the New Workhorse"
- Studio Sound, January 1977, PDF p.38: show report
- BM/E, March 1977, PDF p.108: NAB preview
- Stereo Review Tape Recording & Buying Guide, 1978, PDF p.122, and Tape Recording & Buying Guide, 1980, PDF p.57: catalogue prices
- Radio World, July 28, 1993, PDF p.52: used price