Nakamichi RX-202 head swap?

[brianjrealto]

would a tape head from a Nakamichi 600 work in an RX-202?

I bought a RX-202 on CL locally for $30.. as a trial run, I cleaned all the belts and the idler so I could see if all the functions work properly...will need new belts and idler, seems I could do those myself.

Had an issue with the relay, and I think I have that fixed by cleaning the contacts.

But, I have a 600 for parts I never got around to. wondering if swapping out the head from the 600 to the RX-202 would be a good fit?

reason- seems I've read that the heads on the RX202 are not the best Nak heads for a 2 head unit.

the RX-202 is just for fun..I have a Sony ES deck as my main deck. but, wanted a Nak to mess around with.

weird idea?

 

[Alex Nikitin]

would a tape head from a Nakamichi 600 work in an RX-202?

In short - no. Two main reasons: 1) the head mounting is completely different and 2) the 600 head won't record on Metal tapes properly. Even if you won't record any Type IV tapes and will manage to mount the head by making a suitable bracket (which may be possible, I think), you would need some mods and adjustments to the RX-202 electronics. A good replacement head for the RX-202 would be an amorphous R/P head from the likes of the Aiwa AD-F370/470 or a similar one with a standard mount. The required changes to the electronics will be minimal. I also have now a number of very nice permalloy heads which can be used in place of the original head on the RX-202, BX1/2/100/125/150, CR/1/2, DR-2/8, Cassette Deck Two with only a slight change to the PB EQ and no change to the biasing or the recording EQ. The only drawback is that permalloy is softer than Sendust and the head's life is shorter, though the sound is better IMHO.

Cheers

Alex

 

[brianjrealto]

In short - no. Two main reasons: 1) the head mounting is completely different and 2) the 600 head won't record on Metal tapes properly. Even if you won't record any Type IV tapes and will manage to mount the head by making a suitable bracket (which may be possible, I think), you would need some mods and adjustments to the RX-202 electronics. A good replacement head for the RX-202 would be an amorphous R/P head from the likes of the Aiwa AD-F370/470 or a similar one with a standard mount. The required changes to the electronics will be minimal. I also have now a number of very nice permalloy heads which can be used in place of the original head on the RX-202, BX1/2/100/125/150, CR/1/2, DR-2/8, Cassette Deck Two with only a slight change to the PB EQ and no change to the biasing or the recording EQ. The only drawback is that permalloy is softer than Sendust and the head's life is shorter, though the sound is better IMHO.

Cheers

Alex

Thanks Alex,

That's a lot of knowledge you have! Knew it would be a long shot, but what the heck...