My A&H board is like that, I asked the same question, it is relative, meaning, so pin 3 is hot. Going into a balanced input you should have no problems, I don't. It is just using the low side of the transformer. But, if you go into an unbalanced input, then you have to make a turn-around cable, or re-wire the XLR so that (tip) on the 1/4" TS phone plug, is wired to pin three on the XLR. For example, if you bought an XLR to TRS cable, it would not work, because (tip) is wired to pin 2 on the XLR, which is not connected on your Otari. So in that case you would have to open the XLR, and connect pin 2 to pin 3.
BTW, My A&H board had optional balanced out kits, Otari may have had the same thing. If your runs are short, you should be getting the best quality now.
Hope I stated this correctly,
--Rick

You still get a signal but the phase is inverted.
You must built a dedicated XLR cable :
female XLR ( from preamp ) 1 ground/2+/3-
male XLR ( to Otari unbalanced input ) connect
positive to pin 3 and ground and negative to pin 1. Jo
PS. Otari nominal level is +4dBu. Right ?

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On a balanced line ( standard wiring ) :

1) ground
2) + positive polarity
3) - negative polarity
3 is carryng still the same signal but is reversed
It's basically a loop.

Using a regolar XLR in your situation means that you are feeding the Otari ( since pin 3- goes to pin 3 + ) with the wrong polarity.
Not the way is meant to be, besides sound result.
Unbalanced lines have a single conductor,positive, and the ground, used also as return path for the reversed, negative, polarity.
Since you are driving an unb. input from a bal. output the best connection ( that i'm aware) is to
connect the shield on both sides and then to join the negative polarity with the ground at the unbalanced end of the cable. This will still give you some protection from hum ( as in a balanced line ). The important thing is to respect the polarity of the signal.

I've been told that a while ago there was not a real standard for which pin being hot. That's why on some old equipment you'll find pin 3 +.
I don't know how true is this and how applies to the Otari.
If you are dealing with 8 i/o probably a rewiring is a good idea. check first with Otari and a teck.
Jo