mr1 or mr2

the ultimate nakamichi, the only ones with xlr. the only pro-series

better than the zx series.?

or it's still studer/revox or tandberg 910/911

Don't like etheir, but if you have to have etheir, go with mr1 three head deck, as the MR-1 and BX 300 are versions of the same deck, it not a bad deck, still uses capston direct drive and a good three heads deck. Now mr2 is just a two head deck. Better to go with the studer/revox as built quailty is top notch, or tandberg in this case, if you need balance XLR.

i've noticed balanced is better than rca. better bass, better separation, better everything. also thinking about tascam. the 910 is too expensive and too rare.

red the mr1 is better than a zx9. but perhaps xlr is the component that makes it better.

my TT, cdp, r2r, pre-amp and power amp are balanced. so, i prefer a pro-deck. thought about the d5 pro2. but it... su!@s the 215 seems to be good. a studer 721 these days is too $$$.

blanaced is ALWAYS better than RCA

why studios always use them

One of my Technics amps has XLR inputs - which is nice

Balanced connections are used to reject hum, external noise and interference on long runs not for greater sound quality.  Balanced is better for studio use, reason it's very important in sound recording and production because it allows for the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to external noise. You may also want to consider a Tascam 122 mkII if you are using it for studio use, or go with a revox/studer better as a master setup and monitoring, just more reliable overall. MR1 is a great deck for personal use and sound great, but not as reliable, but easy to service as it sankyo transport and spare parts easy to find. A ZX-9 is still better.

As far as a mr1, it's a good deck but not better then a ZX9 in anyway as it the same deck as a bx300 modded the only diffences is XLR inputs and outputs and pitch control. ZX9 is still a better player and recorder, you may have heard one in need of service and out of specs. 

If your system is using XLR then of course use XLR, but never a good idea to mix the chain up.

hmm, hope the 215 can be fixed. or perhaps try a tascam