compact cassette player

[JPJ]

looking to replace an advent 201 with a high quality but simple cassette player with the smallest footprint possible. any suggestions on the best mix of small size and quality?

 

[hertzdonut]

They seem to be a rare beast, but the Pioneer CT-3000 seems like it would fit your needs.

Simple, small, but well built.

And it looks cool, too.

- Jeff

 

[Lavane]

Some of the old top loaders were small. I had a Teac top loader that was pretty compact. I bought a Realistic top loader new that I used for years.
Not many features, but small and it lasted longer than any others I had. And I still have tapes I recorded on it that still sound good.

 

[JPJ]

They seem to be a rare beast, but the Pioneer CT-3000 seems like it would fit your needs.

Simple, small, but well built.

And it looks cool, too.

- Jeff

thanks, that's awesome! now let's see if i can ever find one.

 

[JPJ]

Some of the old top loaders were small. I had a Teac top loader that was pretty compact. I bought a Realistic top loader new that I used for years.
Not many features, but small and it lasted longer than any others I had. And I still have tapes I recorded on it that still sound good.

thanks, i'll look around for that and some top loaders

 

[hertzdonut]

thanks, that's awesome! now let's see if i can ever find one.

Yeah, ebay doesn't even list any as being sold. Have you considered posting a WTB in Bartertown? I imagine you'd get quite a good response. (Maybe even a CT-3000? Ya never know.)

 

[Falstaff]

Rat Shack sold a line of single well half size decks under the Realistic and the Optimus brand name. The Optimus deck was the SCT-86. Never had one to check quality but generally the Optimus brand was their higher end stuff and generally high quality. The Realistic ones were the SCP-31 & 32.

 

[JPJ]

Rat Shack sold a line of single well half size decks under the Realistic and the Optimus brand name. The Optimus deck was the SCT-86. Never had one to check quality but generally the Optimus brand was their higher end stuff and generally high quality. The Realistic ones were the SCP-31 & 32.

wow, that thing is pretty compact. there is actually one on ebay right now! not too much $, maybe i'll check it out, thanks.

also came across this when reading about the optimus...looks pretty cool
https://www.vintagecassette.com/aiwa/sd-l50

 

[Falstaff]

That was part of a series of mini systems Aiwa made. There is the deck and tuner on the bay from an SD-L80 right now. High quality mini separates were a thing back in the 80s and 90s. Aiwa, Sony, Technics, Denon and others all had them. Many were very nice but costly as well. Some had special non-standard cables that only worked to attached units from the same system together. I would stay away from those units.