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Nakamichi Dragon

ThomasD.

ThomasD.

Active Member
I only know of their reputation but is this a reasonable price for an "untested" specimen? Outside my financial means but aren't these a 'Holy Grail' for some?

Nakamichi Dragon Auto Reverse Cassette Deck - $2500 (Fairbanks, AK)
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condition: excellent
make / manufacturer: Nakamichi
model name / number: Dragon

Considered by many to be the finest cassette deck made. Controls enable recording of audio input into cassette. This deck is a part of history. Has been in storage for many years - untested.
 
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Not much more than some have sold for on ebay recently.
Non working have sold for less.
Not sure where that would put an "untested" unit.
 
@goodolpg Was just checking Ebay $$'s. Guess it is in the ballpark. Unusual item for this area though specialty gear does show up now and then. I'm in the market for a top end Cassette deck but this one is out of my grasp especially since I would need to have it sent out for service/restoration.
 
I agree with Snow. I had a Teac Z7000 and it took me 6 months to find a tech, in Toronto. Your closest option might be Chicago. But you only want to let a skilled tech touch that baby. Mine worked but needed adjustment and new belts, etc. The parts came up to less that $50, the labour was $800. I didn’t have to pay for shipping. It sold in the range of his asking price.
 
You will find out that you will pay a small fortune to maintain a Dragon....on top of the cost of owning a Dragon. There were many top of the line cassette recorders from the big four that made reliable equipment along with reliable AVR’s during the 1990’s that are better suited for recording and play back. The combination of a TOTL AVR and a TOTL cassette deck will offer the same recording and playback ability with the same or better sound quality. As they were made for recording and playback.
 
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Well.......
Despite the sage advice given, I purchase the Nak. It's in pristine physical shape. In fact it looks like new, no scratches or marks at all. Original packaging included. It plays wonderfully, now need to find quality tapes to appreciate it's traits and yes, I realize it needs serviced due to age. Original owners daughter said her father was quite an audiophile prior to his death which was several years ago but she knew little about his equipment except what Ebay items listed for. Family bickering and disagreement kept any of his belonging and the family house off the market until just recently.
Along side the Nak sat a pristine Carver MXR 2000 receiver although the remote had long since disappeared and a TX-11 FM tuner. Then she asked if I'd care to look at his record player. A Denon DP55K without a scratch on the plinth or dust cover.
After a long conversation with his very pleasant daughter and discovering that I had just missed out on his Mcintosh MC 240 tube amp and Altec Speakers (she couldn't recall which model) which went to a family friend in Anchorage, I gave in and bought the items she had left. Granted they aren't 'end game' gear but they are in incredible shape for their age and I felt deserved to be given the care and respect that the original owner showed them. Silly sentimentality I guess but I hope that my family will care enough to consider my feelings and their value when disposing of my acquired gear when that time comes. As far as I'm concerned it was $1500.00 well spent and an opportunity to extend the equipment life of a departed fellow audio gear aficionado.
 
ThomasD. said:
Well.......
Despite the sage advice given, I purchase the Nak. It's in pristine physical shape. In fact it looks like new, no scratches or marks at all. Original packaging included. It plays wonderfully, now need to find quality tapes to appreciate it's traits and yes, I realize it needs serviced due to age. Original owners daughter said her father was quite an audiophile prior to his death which was several years ago but she knew little about his equipment except what Ebay items listed for. Family bickering and disagreement kept any of his belonging and the family house off the market until just recently.
Along side the Nak sat a pristine Carver MXR 2000 receiver although the remote had long since disappeared and a TX-11 FM tuner. Then she asked if I'd care to look at his record player. A Denon DP55K without a scratch on the plinth or dust cover.
After a long conversation with his very pleasant daughter and discovering that I had just missed out on his Mcintosh MC 240 tube amp and Altec Speakers (she couldn't recall which model) which went to a family friend in Anchorage, I gave in and bought the items she had left. Granted they aren't 'end game' gear but they are in incredible shape for their age and I felt deserved to be given the care and respect that the original owner showed them. Silly sentimentality I guess but I hope that my family will care enough to consider my feelings and their value when disposing of my acquired gear when that time comes. As far as I'm concerned it was $1500.00 well spent and an opportunity to extend the equipment life of a departed fellow audio gear aficionado.
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You spent $1500 for the Dragon, Denon tt, Carver receiver AND a tuner?
 
@goodolpg Yes, afraid I'm not much of a barterer. My wife could have done much better but then..... I would have had to bring her along and try to explain the importance of this equipment purchase, which never seems to go so well. My weakness is dealing with the people, their story and the equipment's history. Just can't gather the gonads to put the thumb screws to them after talking and learning about all of it. It's not equipment for flipping to me, it's an investment, probably not a very good one but valuable to me (as a hoarder so my wife calls me) none the less. Need to find out more information on the Denon, I'm fairly versed on the Carver gear and know the Dragon was probably a keeper but TT's are just getting on my radar so need to catch up.
 
Snow said:
Congrats if you got the Denon TT Carver receiver and tuner and the Dragon came with the box and packing you did fine, just the box for the Dragon should add at least $250.00 to the value minimum the Denon TT should be in the $400.00-$600.00 range Ebay value. The Carver receiver should fetch $200.00 or so.


Regards Snow
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Didn't realize the Nak box added that much value. The MXR 2000 is pretty much an M200t amp, C1 pre & a TX11a tuner all in one case with wooden sides. Even though I already have all those separate pieces and more, I find the Anthracite finish and looks of Carver gear very attractive.
 
ThomasD. said:
@goodolpg Yes, afraid I'm not much of a barterer. My wife could have done much better but then..... I would have had to bring her along and try to explain the importance of this equipment purchase, which never seems to go so well. My weakness is dealing with the people, their story and the equipment's history. Just can't gather the gonads to put the thumb screws to them after talking and learning about all of it. It's not equipment for flipping to me, it's an investment, probably not a very good one but valuable to me (as a hoarder so my wife calls me) none the less. Need to find out more information on the Denon, I'm fairly versed on the Carver gear and know the Dragon was probably a keeper but TT's are just getting on my radar so need to catch up.
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I wasn't knocking you.
I'm thinking you probably did ok since the ask was $2500 for the Dragon, which works, and has original packaging.
Getting all of it for $1500 seems good to me. I'm thinking that Denon is well regarded though it may have a weakness or two. The whole deal might even be a SCROE for all I know.
 
goodolpg said:
I wasn't knocking you.
I'm thinking you probably did ok since the ask was $2500 for the Dragon, which works, and has original packaging.
Getting all of it for $1500 seems good to me. I'm thinking that Denon is well regarded though it may have a weakness or two. The whole deal might even be a SCROE for all I know.
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Ahhhh... I see.:) Guess I'm use to my wife reminding me of my lack of bargaining skills. Just the fact that the gear was so immaculately kept after all these years impressed me. Although after a closer examination upon getting it all home, I see the Dynavector MC 10x4 MKll has no stylus. Damaged somehow and as I recall, at least the older Dynavectors had no stylus guards. So need to research a quality replacement. Guess I'll be asking around in the 'Turntable' forum.:beatnik:
 
@Snow Yes the CarverSite, AK, Community Klipsch & PolkAudio forum are always on my desktop. Have dealt with @DennisMiller55 on multiple occasions along with Greg @NelionAudio. Dennis restored my C1 & Greg my M4.0t. Both are top notch techs and have seemingly unlimited knowledge of their fields. An admin there, huh. Snow, you continue to surprise me with your varied experience in the audio field. Always find your take on things and comments quite revealing (in a good way). I look forward to perhaps actually meeting you when this current situation subsides.
Sincerely, Thomas
 
damacman said:
I think you did OK! If it can be done reasonably, get that 10x4 retipped and enjoy it.
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Do I detect a 'DynaVector' fan? :banana: Never had a cart worth being retipped. Wonder if SoundSmith does Dyna's lower end models too? Was bummed because it would be my first MC cartridge to play with.
 
ThomasD. said:
Do I detect a 'DynaVector' fan? :banana: Never had a cart worth being retipped. Wonder if SoundSmith does Dyna's lower end models too? Was bummed because it would be my first MC cartridge to play with.
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I bought a floor sample 10x5 to tide me over until I got a serious cartridge. That was over two years ago ...
 
Guess I better get over to the TT forum and see if I can find out a little more about the arm & sled that are on it too. Make sure I don't throw good money after bad. Appreciate all the help & comments here gentlemen.
 
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