Cassette Decks?

[NMyTree]

Anyone making a good, solid well-built cassette deck, these days?


I see Pioneer has an Elite model, but they have a friggin' DAC built into it.:thumbsdn:

They also have two standard Pioneer models, and one of those has a DAC:mad:

That leaves the Pioneer CT-W208R and I can't find any consumer reviews on this.

Anyone else making a good cassette deck?

[Toka]

You mean current production? Slim pickings. Sony made the last one of note that I can think of...but I don't even know if they are still around, new stock. Model number escapes me at the moment but if I find it I'll post it.

[coopmv]

Get a vintage deck like Nakamichi ... I am listening to my Nakamichi 700 ZXE right now. It is pure analog with no built-in DACs.

[dmckean]

I assume the Pioneer has an ADC and not a DAC. Otherwise I'm really confused.

[Dragun]

I know nothing about tape decks. Why would a tape deck have an analog-digital converter?

[Ed Bishop]

Go used, and see if you can track down a nice JVC DD-9, the best cassette deck I ever had.

:ed:

[Dougr33]

Are you going to do recording, or are you wanting to either play back or convert to digital existing tapes. If the latter, then I'd think you're looking for a good model (most likely used) that allows you to easily adjust the playback azimuth.

[RDK]

Good timing for this thread. Just today I picked up a Nakamichi BX300 at the thrift store... for $10!

[Casino]

Search out a Nakamichi 3-head model.

[Russ]

I have the NAK CR-4A. It's hard to convince someone how great they sound until they get to hear it...especially with a decent source tape. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending doing some discriminate shopping/research and buying a used NAK deck. You'll be amazed.

[Hegeman's Ghost]

I have the NAK CR-4A. It's hard to convince someone how great they sound until they get to hear it...especially with a decent source tape. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending doing some discriminate shopping/research and buying a used NAK deck. You'll be amazed.

DITTO! I have a collection of over 700 jazz cassettes. I currently own several decks (see my profile) and, in the past, have tried many others.

Nak is the only way to go! What makes them so special is their rock solid, two capstan tape transports....absolutely no wow or flutter!

If you plan to record, the three head versions would be best. However, if you are going to use the deck for playback only, the two head models will do a great job. I own two Nak 480's and use them exclusively for playback.

Remember...Nak recommends that you clean the heads after every 10 tapes and demagnetize the heads after every 40 tapes. Be sure to follow this advice for optimum fidelity.

HG :cool:

[monewe]

Good timing for this thread. Just today I picked up a Nakamichi BX300 at the thrift store... for $10!

My favourite cassette player wonderful machine.

[Cornholio]

Good timing for this thread. Just today I picked up a Nakamichi BX300 at the thrift store... for $10!I'll give you $20 for it! :D

[Shakey]

I have owned several Naks, currently I own a two-head, single capstan model 500.
I owned a CR-7A, LX-7, 482, 582 and now the 500.
There are good deals out there used and there are a few places they can still be serviced.
I may get another one and I would not recommend anything but a Nak.
I wonder what they might have made if they did Reel to Reel?

[KT88]

Not so much. I have been selling professional models from Marantz and Tascam when someone needs one. ReVox and Nakamichi did make great units but those days are over as far as I am concerned. I used to have a few Naks and my wife still hangs onto a Sony ES 3 head unit (for some reason). Personally, if I really wanted to retain the old tape music, i'd transfer them to CD. The only use that I got from my tape deck was transferring vinyl to tape so that i could listen to it in the car. Once the car player started eating tapes, etc., I replaced it with a CD player and I never looked back.
-Bill

[Shakey]

Those days were over over 20 years ago for Nakamichi, seems after the death of the main dude, they went Madison Avenue, so to speak.

And why does NMyTree want one? The cassettes are hard to find anymore.

[KT88]

Those days were over over 20 years ago for Nakamichi, seems after the death of the main dude, they went Madison Avenue, so to speak.

And why does NMyTree want one? The cassettes are hard to find anymore.

I agree. Cassette only sounded really good when the deck was in top shape and when played back on the same deck that made the recording. Adjustable azimuth units did help with that to some extent but there were always other problems since there was no real standard or at the the standard was to move the goal posts ;-). When considering a used deck, if it is intended for any type of fidelity, then you need to consider refurbishing it and many models are not properly servicable any longer. You can still get a few "close enough" for most folks rubber parts but the originals for peak performance (assuming you would even call it that) are not available. because Nak and Revox made pro units and many are still in use, you can often have those serviced to spec but at a considerable cost.

I can't speak for the OP, but there are reasons why someone would want a cassette deck. They may want an affordable, all analog recording device or they may have stacks of cassette tapes. The real deal in analog tape fidelity was and still is reel to reel. Most everyone would opt for a digital recorder these days. DAT has even declined as the CD-R is so portable and universal. I rarely bother with making recordings today but if I do, I use CD-R.

I still have fond memories of using my many past cassette decks both at home and in the car. I used to make some great compilation tapes from Lp and take them on the road in a nice automotive hi-fi for the day. The cassette decks were always the weakest link in any of those systems. I would listen to the Lps directly when at home and only used the tapes for portability. When I replaced the car deck with a CD head unit, it made an immediate improvement in sound quality and the tapes were retired from there as well. I do still have those old tapes which survived the various decks which played them and amazingly my wife's car still has a working cassette deck in it and she listens to them on trips. We also have a portable CD player with adapter these days though. Every now and then I run across one of theose old tapes and I smile thinking of where I last was when I heard it :-).
-Bill

[Spadeygrove]

I still have two high-end Denon cassette decks; one a 3-head the other a 2-head. They still make great recordings. I never have gotten around to putting a CD player in my car and use the factory tape deck on a daily basis so I still have a reason to hang onto my Denon's. Like I said, they still do a great job at recording. It's just that CD's are mastered so loud anymore that it's hard not to distort a cassette. Even with the recording level turned down fairly low. :(

[NMyTree]

And why does NMyTree want one? The cassettes are hard to find anymore.

For a number of reasons.

I always loved audio cassettes and making compilation tapes. I always had some kind of cassette deck and then I bought a real nice ($500.00) range Denon cassette deck, in the late 80s. Sounded wonderful!

I don't know man, I really like audio cassettes...something nice about their sound. Plus I have great fun making compilation tapes, where I can add in goofy sound effects, short comedy bits and other goofy stuff; in the beginning of the tapes, between songs and at the end. Doesn't come out as good on CD-Rs and it did when i made them on audio cassettes.

And since I grew up a, and still am a....... analog kid, I would really like my sons to grow up experiencing as many of the different playback/recording formats I experienced. I got my vinyl collection growing nicely, now; and I'd like to get a few cassette decks.

I came across someone (locally) who has an Onkyo Integra TA-2700 for $75.00, pristine condition. Only used by an old lady on Saturday nights, for her bridge matches;) :D Sounds like it could be a good player for my dining room (which is actually a playroom for the kids and us...the big kids) system.

I also have my sights on a Nakamichi MR-1 and a DR-2. Both appear to be in excellent shape. These two could be perfect for my home office system and my living room system.

As for cassette tapes, Total Media in New Jersey carries the Maxell MS Studio Pro Audio (High Bias) 90 minute cassettes, as well as several other cassettes. So I think I will be fine in getting tapes. Plus I still have several Maxell XLIIS tapes, which are still sealed.

Thanks for the suggestions and discussion, guys/gals.

[macster]

Cassette Decks in house.

1. Nak CR7A 2 ea
2. Nak CR5A 1 ea
3. Nak CR3A 1 ea
4. Nak CR2A 1 ea
5. Nak CR1A 1 ea
6. Nak BX150 1 ea
7. Nak 681ZX 1 ea
8. Revox B215 2 ea

Cassette Tapes 500 new unused, 640 ebay purchased tapes mostly TDK SA. I just love the sound of cassttes made on my Nak CR7A's, the Revox's are a close second, for me the music presented is done in a fashion that I enjoy. IMHO, it's what this hobby is about, finding whatever it is devices that appeal to your sense of what music should be.

Breathing smoke in Ca.


M~

[thxdave]

Good timing for this thread. Just today I picked up a Nakamichi BX300 at the thrift store... for $10!

I just sold my BX300 on eBay a few weeks ago. It was a very nice deck. If you have the common idler wheel rubber problem, these guys can help you out: http://www.eslabs.com/idler.htm

dave

[Toka]

Maybe this thread stirred a cosmic wind, but just today I came across a Yamaha KX-530 deck for sale locally ($30). Not the best Yamaha deck ever made (looks to be the third rung on their late '80's/early '90's product ladder), but it is in near-flawless condition and has a remote. Its not going to be a reference for me, but I've been moving back into tapes recently anyway and this will serve as a nice bridge to a ReVox or Tandberg or whatever (if I ever find one, that is). Typical strong Yamaha build quality and functional reliability.

[Tony Plachy]

My favourite cassette player wonderful machine.

Had one back in the '80's and sold it. :sigh: Dumb, dumber and dumbest

[portisphish]

I just found and bought a TEAC V 909RX 3-head deck with wood case for $20. There is a picture of it towards the bottom of the following link. Also, some nice pics of some Naks at the same link.

http://www.geocities.jp/freak_audio/cassette.htm

[Tony Plachy]

FWIW, I bought a Sony TC-KA3ES Cassette Deck around 1996. Probably the last attempt at a true hi-end consumer deck. Three heads, full calibration capabilities built right into the unit and Dolby S. Still have it, still works, just does not get much use any more. :sigh:

http://www.vintagecassette.com/Sony/TC-KA3ES