Tell us about your stereo!

[LG]

I wouldn't spend the ridiculous money to buy any of those tapes listed on ebay for numerous reasons. One being you CAN"T trust the people involved and for that money I'd have to be able to look the merchandise over first in person. Even then I wouldn't pay the ridiculous sums they are asking.

Besides all that my Maxell "S" tapes would sound better, they are about the best formulation I've ever recorded on, it's too bad they came out so late when tapes were obsolete, glad I have plenty on hand.

I found a Marantz cassette deck in great condition locally, haven't made up my mind yet but for $100 it looks good and no worries about shipping etc. I'll ask the guy for some info before making the decision, it's got really good specs including their heads which are almost as good as Akai's legendary Glass-Ferrite design.

 

[mrJim]

wow! all this discussion around tape is making me all teary eyed down here in South Carolina.

Seriously though this is great stuff ! Great Equipment that bring back memories

 

[gcczep]

It's All About The Music

I wouldn't spend the ridiculous money to buy any of those tapes listed on ebay for numerous reasons. One being you CAN"T trust the people involved and for that money I'd have to be able to look the merchandise over first in person. Even then I wouldn't pay the ridiculous sums they are asking.

Besides all that my Maxell "S" tapes would sound better, they are about the best formulation I've ever recorded on, it's too bad they came out so late when tapes were obsolete, glad I have plenty on hand.

I found a Marantz cassette deck in great condition locally, haven't made up my mind yet but for $100 it looks good and no worries about shipping etc. I'll ask the guy for some info before making the decision, it's got really good specs including their heads which are almost as good as Akai's legendary Glass-Ferrite design.

Marantz' Super Hard Permalloy Head? I hope it fits the bill for you and it's yours.

 

[gcczep]

Nostalgia

wow! all this discussion around tape is making me all teary eyed down here in South Carolina.

Seriously though this is great stuff ! Great Equipment that bring back memories

It is fun. Love looking at vintage gear especially ones that were kept in great shape by considerate owners.

 

[LG]

Marantz' Super Hard Permalloy Head? I hope it fits the bill for you and it's yours.

I believe that's what they called them, I sent an e-mail but haven't heard back from him yet. I found an Akai for $25...but it would need an overhaul for sure.

If I really want to get a decent deck I'll get Jac to find one for me, he's hooked into the underground audiophile community here, about 150 members and can get anything you want.

 

[gcczep]

Stops and...go's

I finally got around to playing the Akai on Saturday. I was playing a tape when it stopped two thirds of the way through. It wouldn't go further. It happened on three occasions that day. Fast forward and rewind are fine though.

Broke out the Q-tips and alcohol to clean both tires or rollers. So much gunk there that the three [six ends] all ended up being pitch black in color. No problem afterwards. Playback on tapes I recorded on my long departed TEAC were warbly... Tried tapes from my trading daze recorded by others plus some pre-recorded ones which all sounded fine.

Checked around for prices to re-calibrate, re-condition decks to "new" specs and they were...$400 average. Damn! Toying with the thought of opening it up to use a compressed air can to blow out whatever is in there.

 

[taha]

buy a Nak you won't regret it, there are plenty out there and you can still get most of them repaired easily

 

[gcczep]

Nak...ers

buy a Nak you won't regret it, there are plenty out there and you can still get most of them repaired easily

I have the CR-7A which has the same problem but could be fixed like you said.

 

[LG]

I finally got around to playing the Akai on Saturday. I was playing a tape when it stopped two thirds of the way through. It wouldn't go further. It happened on three occasions that day. Fast forward and rewind are fine though.

Broke out the Q-tips and alcohol to clean both tires or rollers. So much gunk there that the three [six ends] all ended up being pitch black in color. No problem afterwards. Playback on tapes I recorded on my long departed TEAC were warbly... Tried tapes from my trading daze recorded by others plus some pre-recorded ones which all sounded fine.

Checked around for prices to re-calibrate, re-condition decks to "new" specs and they were...$400 average. Damn! Toying with the thought of opening it up to use a compressed air can to blow out whatever is in there.

Opening the case and blowing out the dust bunnies and other foreign material is one of the first things any technician does with old equipment.

When it comes to fiddling with the motors, idler wheel assembly I wouldn't do it myself, replacing the belts is not that difficult and there are plenty of kits available for all the old decks.

Taha...I've rarely seen any Nakamichi's here for a reasonable price, and when they do pop up they are expensive more than I would pay for any vintage cassette deck. Many of the manufacturers in the 70's-80's made quality decks, Akai, Sony, Pioneer, Teac, Marantz...and of course Nakamichi. I won't spend more than $200 on any tape deck and it better be serviced at that price, and the last Dragon I saw was almost $1000 way more than I would ever spend.

 

[taha]

Taha...I've rarely seen any Nakamichi's here for a reasonable price, and when they do pop up they are expensive more than I would pay for any vintage cassette deck. Many of the manufacturers in the 70's-80's made quality decks, Akai, Sony, Pioneer, Teac, Marantz...and of course Nakamichi. I won't spend more than $200 on any tape deck and it better be serviced at that price, and the last Dragon I saw was almost $1000 way more than I would ever spend.

Been told countless times by service techs they are worth every penny, my bx125 to this day is fkn GREAT. Many on ebay that say "mint" are very reasonable on price, not to mention our hi end sights you and I go to. Plenty of parts available for most too. You're right about the Dragon, but that is the Classe/Mac class, they have others in the BX category that are still fantastic. I have done side by side tests for many of my friends and not one could tell the difference from cd to tape. If I did it again I think I would find a bx300 3 head.