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Steve (and others),

What can you recommend for studios that do not yet have the funds for a Studer?

a decent used TASCAM MS16 or TASCAM 58 (16 tr-1" & 8tr-1/2") comes to mind
with the advent of digital recording, the "not-top-of-the-line machines" are replaced by digital, 2" machines will remain at the studio for those analog people (although I doubt whether they will outlast their current headblock)
which means it's the 1/2" & 1" machines you're after

I second the MS 16. The can be bought for +/- 1200$. It really depends on the head-, pinch roller-, transportreel condition. Of course, they are all excelent in the seller's opinion. It's extra nice when it comes with a remote control.
The Tascam 8516 (16 tr., 1") is a little cheaper.
The Otari MX-70 is a 16 tr., 1" machine and costs more than the Tascams but they are worth the little extra money. If you are lucky you'll get one for around 2000$. Otari's tech support isn't as good as Tascam's and a lot of replacement parts are hard to get.
You can definetly make a decent recording on a MX-70 or a MS16.
If those machines are not pro enough look out for a good sounding 4 or 8 track. I'm not familiar with prices in the states but I don't think that you'll get a decent Ampex MM1200/1100 or an MCI for less than 2000 bucks.
Keep in mind that you'll have to work with your new machine not just a day or two. Have a look at as many tape machines as possible, ask the owners - in ideal cases friends of yours who don't want to sell the thing- about pros and cons of their machine in general.
I think that professional recording machines where never as affordable as they are now.
Maybe you already knew all this and you just wanted to hear the professionals opinion.
But anyways, good luck.
max flex.

I had an MS-16 for years as my home/travel recorder. It worked real wonders for me. It has a great frequency response, and can be pretty low noise for 15 IPS (no n.r.). The noise reduction is useful in that you can individually select which tracks you want it on (vocals, bass, and any other non transient heavy material). Not a Studer, but will work.

Look around for a ATR 60 1" 16 track as well, they are a kind of hot-rodded ms-16 that will run at both 15 and 30IPS.

I'd shy away from the 8516 just because it's older and parts are a problem.

Orari MX-70s seem really well built compared to the ms-16, but don't sound particularly better. Parts are a little more expensive.

These machines have loyal fans-

-Tascam MSR-16s (½" 16-track) Newest
-Orari MX-5050 (½ 8-track) very popular
-Fostex Model 80 (1/4" 8-track) not the portable one! is a big step up from cassette 4-track

As far as the "professional" (machines made by studer, ampex, mci, and later otari) you wont find a well working machine for less than 2K. Those cheep 1" 8-tracks that you see around need work. Expensive work.
That class of recorders will require big $ for proper upkeep. Remember these machines were sold, back in their day for $30,ooo to $80,ooo.

Max is right. You should keep in your mind what a $2,000 2" MM-1100 16-track could cost you.
$2000.00 MM-1100
500.00 MMoving the sonofabitch
1000.00 MMotor rebuilds (2x reeling, 1x capstan)
350.00 New Pinch roller
3000.00 New heads
1500.00 Random parts and circuit board repairs for transport
1000.00 Random parts and circuit board repairs for audio
150.00 replacing broken meter
100.00 meter light bulbs
50.00 new caster wheel
175.00 incomplete manual bought on ebay with wrong schematics
300.00 test tape
100.00 good volt meter
400.00 snakes
300.00 editing block
5.50 razors and china marker
1000.00 in time your tech takes to bail your ass out

grand total = $11,930.50

Take it from me. I've learned!