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Best looking cassette deck?

The Technics RS-B965 was made between 1990 and 1993 and sold for $700USD. Technics weren't known for their TOTL cassette decks, but they pulled out all the stops with the RS-B965. Anyway, I think it's a good looking deck.

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Yeeterkeeter said:
I dunno how I feel about that one… it looks a bit messy. Is it a pro piece of equipment?
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Didn't know anything about it, just thought it was a good looking deck, and admired it for it's pioneering emoji innovation :)

empirelvr said:
No and it's not a cassette deck either...it's an Elcaset deck!
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Wow!!! Thanks for pointing this out. How did I not know about the Eclaset???? Had to look it up. It sounds like the Betamax of audio (e.g. better technical solution with little commercial viability).

Betamax at least had the potential for commercial viability at least (slightly better quality recordings and smaller form factor).

Not sure what the anticipated market was for Elcacet given its size. Reel-to-reel audio quality for live recording sessions I guess, but 2 channels is limiting for that purpose. Not a practical replacement for cassette for playback either -- too big to be practical for car radio use for example.

Might be fun to use one today for analog 2-channel recording of live music, assuming it really performed on the level of a reel-to-reel, and that the technology of the tapes themselves is competent.
 
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Given that the intent of this thread is to showcase the best looking cassette decks, I'd add the TOTL Yamaha KX-1200 from the RS series (Remote Series) which included a remote control. My brother had the earlier K-1020 deck from the mid-80's which I admit I was envious of back in the day.

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Bodhi1 said:
Given that the intent of this thread is to showcase the best looking cassette decks, I'd add the TOTL Yamaha KX-1200 from the RS series (Remote Series) which included a remote control. My brother had the earlier K-1020 deck from the mid-80's which I admit I was envious of back in the day.

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I think what makes it look great is the blue VFD display. It really makes it look futuristic.
 
peterp1 said:
Wow!!! Thanks for pointing this out. How did I not know about the Eclaset???? Had to look it up. It sounds like the Betamax of audio (e.g. better technical solution with little commercial viability).

Betamax had commercial the potential for commercial viability at least (slighly better quality recordings and smaller form factor).

Not sure what the anticipated market was for Elcacet given its size. Reel-to-reel audio quality for live recording sessions I guess, but 2 channels is limiting for that purpose. Not a pracgtical replacement for cassette for playback either -- too big to be practical for car radio use for example.

Might be fun to use one today for analog 2-channel recording of live music, assuming it really performed on the level of a reel-to-reel, and that the tecnbology of the tapes themselves is competent.
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The Elcaset was a solution for a problem that didn't exist. It was an engineering triumph though. It took all that was wrong with the cassette and fixed it, and took all that was inconvenient with open reel and found ways around it.

But it was neither fish nor fowl. The tapes were too big and bulky for portable use, and the format wasn't versatile enough for serious audiophile or semi-pro work. I've often wondered if they found a way to make physical tape editing possible and added 7.5ips speed if it would have found a niche.

I had a chance to have extended time with an EL-7 many years ago and can attest that it was a beautiful machine, both in operation and in sound quality. Its sound at 3.75ips, Dolby B, and using high-grade tape was better than most reel to reel machines running at 7.5ips. The transport was first class and the "feel" of the machine was very elegant.
 
I was going to mention those golden 80's Pioneer Decks, that whole stack was really cool looking and their computer "looks" was much more refined then most of the competitors.
 
If its cassette machines only then I will have to agree with the gentleman who Published the image of the Nakamichi 1000 ZXl. I Loved my 581 and 682 series. I know they both had Dolby C and could handle any metal tape made but I have forgotten lettered suffix they have been gone so long. Z or Zl I think. But they were rather plain Jane in looks. Though the 682 had the bright black glossy panel that was kind of cool and matched my Mcintosh electronics with the glass panels. The 682 was gone in 07 when this picture was scanned to the computer. The equipment on the left is part of Stereo system excepting the JVC S-VHS machine.. The equipment on the right is part of the HT system. It has all been rearranged by now. DSCN1928-07.jpg
 
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Sgt Shultz said:
The contrast of the brushed aluminum with the black is a big part of what gives it so much class.

The down and dirty parts
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Yes, but it is not brushed aluminium, but cheap silver painted plastic. Deck is good, I have LX-3 with removed erase head and record part for digitizing (because of good azimuth adjustment with nylon screw) less demanding records (speech for example) where CR7 or Studer A80QC is not necessary. But this plastic is really cheap. 480 has brushed aluminium front panel. And I believe 700ZXL has brushed aluminium too.
 
Yeeterkeeter said:
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Another contender for my favorite is the Beocord 900 by B&O. I love the way the buttons are flush with the body, and the wood paneling looks amazing
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I agree for some reason. Here's mine:

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My parents were fans of mid century Danish furniture, and the more modern derivatives. B&O gear from early 70's slots in so nice you'd think it was always there.
 
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