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Which model NAK cassette deck sounds the best?

H

Huck

Active Member
Which model Nak cassette deck sounds the best on playback?

Hi: I have a Nak RX-202, actually two of these and to my ears they sound pretty good on playback, so I was wondering how far up the Nak line should I go for
superior sound?. These two 202's have zero tape hiss, using mostly any brand tape! Thanks, Huck
 
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They are all nice. The value leader in my opinion is the CR-3A. The Dragon is top of the line. My favorite is the 680zx. In listening there is almost no difference between the 3 listed above. The simpler naks are definately more repairable.
 
If you like the RX-202, then the RX-505 will amaze you. Separate playback & record heads, each optimized for that purpose always produce better sound & recordings, everything else being equal. RX-505 tapes don't sound pretty good, but practically exactly perfectly the same on metal or high quality CRO2. It's close enough, that the one that is lightly louder sounds better. I got both of mine for way under $200, and refurbed them with new belts. I love them. Unlike the Dragon, tapes I make on the 505s play perfectly on other decks. A side benefit is that many pre-recorded tapes sound better (or as good as) CD's. Analog smoothness and no tape hiss.
 
My penchant is for the CR-7. Sounds identical to the source plus the added convenience of playback azimuth adjustment and real time tape counter in minutes and seconds.
you can grab one for a fraction of its original price back in the late 80s and early nineties. I paid 3000 canadian dollars in 1993, quite a hefty sum then. I just got its little brother the CR-5 which sounds and looks just as good as the CR7 but without the extra features.
 
I can't comment on the fancier Nak decks, but every Nakamichi I've ever owned sounds wonderful. I've had a LX-3, CR-5a, BX-150 and BX-300. Even the 2 head decks sound great.
 
lumpy said:
They are all nice. The value leader in my opinion is the CR-3A. The Dragon is top of the line. My favorite is the 680zx. In listening there is almost no difference between the 3 listed above. The simpler naks are definately more repairable.
Click to expand...

+1 love my 680zx & Dragon :thmbsp:
 
I had a Nakamichi 482 that I had recently sold and then bought a CR7A..love the automatic adjustements on the CR7A...I think they all sound great...
 
My CR-2A has me digging in the cassette bins at all the GW/SA locations in a 30-mile radius! As an aside, I found a Nak Metal blank. Regular price: 25 cents... but it was half-off day! :music: I recorded Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE on it last week. Sounds fab.

So anyway, the CR-2A is definately an excellent deck that can be had for a low price; I was fortunate enough to find one that used the gear instead of the rubber wheel thingie.
 
I only compared the Dragon and the ZX-9 side-by-side through a Stax headset, so I don't know the 1000 or the CR-7 or the likes. To be quite truthfull, I couldn't hear any difference, probably because the cassette itself was the limiting factor. I choose the ZX-9 because it was much cheaper and I was told it's mechanism is less vulnerable. But I wouldn't mind having a Dragon though. ;)
 
My favorite Nak decks are...

CR-7A
ZX-9
Dragon
ZX-7

At the moment, I personally own the ZX-7 and it is a wonderful deck which sounds great and is built like a tank.
 
My CR-7A NAK has never let me down. I always wanted a Dragon, but never made the move. Playback on the CR-7A is close to pure source.
 
Dragon, ZX-7 or CR2

I am debating one of the above for a purchase right now. TheDragon scares me a little in case it needs a little work (never know) same with the ZX7. But I want one of them so bad. Sellers usually state the decks were recently serviced and perform well and sound great but it is such a gamble as you all know.

Any advice guys? Please...
Thank you. :yes:
 
I love my LX-5. 3 head, diffused resonance transport, dual capstan. Built like a tank. I bought mine new in 1983 and recently rescued one from a friend. I overhauled it and now it sounds like new. Double blind testing you can't tell if you are listening to source or tape.
 
Old_Tech said:
I am debating one of the above for a purchase right now. TheDragon scares me a little in case it needs a little work (never know) same with the ZX7. But I want one of them so bad. Sellers usually state the decks were recently serviced and perform well and sound great but it is such a gamble as you all know.

Any advice guys? Please...
Thank you. :yes:
Click to expand...

Any of those two will be fine..the ZX-7 can be had for much less than the Dragon and might even be less prone to future maintenance issues since the Dragon has the head that moves. Personally, I like the CR7A primarily because it takes all the guess work out of adjusting for tape bias and so forth..it does it automatically..the ZX-7 will do the same but its a manual adjustment..still a great deck..you cant go wrong with any of them really..The Dragon defintely has the COOL factor...
 
CR-2 and CR-3

I have purchased a CR-2 and should have it soon. I am also looking at the CR-3 just because it has the three head design. I am wondering though, all things considered, the CR-2 is probably a real benchmark in that series and will be equally pleasing as the CR-3. ***What do you guys think?*** :scratch2: I started a thread on that question but there was no response.

I would go for one of the more expensive NAK's but not just yet! There are so many out there. I do like the ZX7 and Dragon models.
After many years I am just getting back into taping again and the decks I could not afford back then are out there in great shape for low dollars. I am really happy about it as I love recording. I do need to buy a nice Revox deck. That will prove to be a challenge I am sure.
 
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