“FOR SALE 2″ Analog Recorder”, Consider this:

I am weighing the whole Vintage User Satisfaction Elation Dynamic.

Let’s review the critical criteria.

SOUND QUALITY
1-10 (base on general opinions I have heard over the years and my personal bias)

Studer 8-10
Ampex 8-10
Otari MTR 90 8-9
3M 8-10
MCI 6-8

RELIABLITY
Studer 7-9
Ampex 5-8
Otari MTR 90 8-9
3M 6-8
MCI 7-9

PARTS AVAILABILITY
Studer 9
Ampex 6
Otari MTR 90 8-9
3M 9
MCI 10

TECHNICIANS
Studer 7
Ampex 2
Otari MTR 90 8-9
3m 3
MCI 8

This is what I am now referring to as V-U.S.E.D rating.
VINTAGE USER SATISFACTION ELATION DYNAMIC

Hope that helps. My best advice before you buy anything is find the/a guy who will be your Personal Tech.  Investigate the tech first. Vet him thoroughly for reliability.

Once you have a good technician, hire him to help you find a good machine. Let him “own it” with you so to speak. Then when you find one he can check it out with you. Paying a little extra now is better than mountains of regret later.

Story #1. I have a client who insists on buying a Studer. I told him buy a 3M 79. I could find him a good one and when it needs love, I already invested may miles learning it so i will save him tons of time and $ making it good. I did say “they all go bad from time to time” didn’t i?

He goes and gets “a deal” on a Studer A820. Now it’s going to cost him a fortune to repair because I know very little about the specifics of Studer and he will have to pay for me to go to Studer School on his dime (or find another tech).