New Cassette Decks
- Thread starter Bilmeade
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Cruzah
Super Member
New Cassette Decks
Below are the new decks I think worth looking into. Most of them are 3-head and all of them should have some sort of fine bias adjust and Dolby B and C. All but the Nakamichis and the portables have Dolby HX. None of them should have auto-reverse unless specified.
Nakamichi
Nakamichi arguably makes the best sounding cassette decks you can buy new. However, they are not made as well as they used to be. If you run a Nak hard, like many tape traders will, it is going to be in the repair shop at some point. Actually, most any deck run hard is going to need work done after several years, but most people tend to expect more out of something that costs as much as a Nak. Look into extended warranties. Most people feel the older Naks sound better than the newer ones. (see below for a list of used Naks) The DR-1($929 list) and DR-2($749) are both 3-head decks. The main advantage of the DR-1 over the DR-2 is the user azimuth adjust which helps to optimize playback of tapes made on other machines. The DR-3($429) is a 2-head deck that will out perform just about every other currently available 3-head deck.
The Nakamichi pro decks are worth a look. The MR-1 is a 3-head deck with XLR in/out and 1/4" in and costs $995. The MR-2 is a 2-head deck, has 1/4" and RCA in/out and runs $695. They do feature pitch control which is difficult to find on quality decks these days. These decks sound great but apparently suffer from some of the same reliability problems as the current Nak consumer models, but probably not near as bad.
It should be noted that tapes made on Nakamichi decks will not sound their best unless played back on a Nakamichi. The problem is not like it was with older Naks, but it still exists to some degree. Keep this in mind when tape trading.
Sony ES
[Sony has changed the models on it's ES series cassette decks. I will have a new guide with more current information as soon as I can. -mb] The Sony ES series is beginning to look like a good possible alternative to the Nakamichis. The TC-RX606ES ($400 list) is just about the only decent deck with mic inputs, but it is a 2-head model and unfortunately has auto reverse. The 3-head models include the top of the line TC-K909ES($790) which looks like a very nice deck. The TC-K717ES($560) does not spec as well as the other 3-head decks mentioned in this article but seems to sound good and is built solidly. I have not had the opportunity to listen to any of the ES series cassette decks, but I have heard good things from reliable sources. They are among the few decks with the new Dolby S. Another plus to the Sony ES series is the three year warranty, and in general they should be very reliable. I don't like the regular (non-ES) Sony line very much at all and would avoid them.
Aiwa
The Aiwa AD-F850 ($400 list) is a 3-head dual capstan deck. I have heard some complaints about transport problems in Aiwas. My F-990 is about 9 years old and has given me little trouble. Like Nakamichi, the Aiwa decks are not built as well as they used to be. Consider an extended warranty. There is also an Aiwa AD-F950 which includes Dolby S and should have a list price of around $500. It was not listed in the Audio directory, possibly because it is a new model. For many years the upper end Aiwa models have proven to be very good sounding decks for the money. I've seen Aiwa decks listed in J & R Music World and other mail order catalogues for ridiculously low prices.
Denon
The Denon DRM-740 ($400 list) is a 3-head deck that is very reliable, but I don't think it sounds quite as good as Aiwa. The DRM-540($250) is a good 2-head deck for those on a limited budget.
Tascam Pro
The Tascam 122 MkII is virtually the industry standard in studios and has recently been replaced by the 122 MkIII. Many feel it does not sound quite as good as the Nakamichi MR-1, but as far as reliability it is nearly indestructible. There is a host of user accessible calibration adjustments on the front, and other features that are very useful but mainly in a studio setting. XLR, RCA and 1/4" jacks are supported and it costs around $1000. The 112 MkII is essentially a 2-head version of the 122 with a few less features, but it does have pitch control. It runs for around $650. The 130 is a 3-head deck that does not have the studio oriented features of the other decks and runs for around $450.
Portables
Sony Pro
The Sony WM-D6C Pro Walkman might possibly still be available if you look in the right places. The TC-D5 portable is no longer available. These were the recorders of choice for Grateful Dead live tapers until DAT machines took over. Both are 2-head, and both have pitch control. Connections on the D6 are via stereo mini-plugs(ugh). Connections on the D5 are 1/4 inch mic (D5M), XLR mic (D5ProII), and RCA out. There is a slim chance that some mail order professional recording or broadcast suppliers might have these decks in stock. They should be somewhat available on the used market since many who used them are switching to DAT. The D6C costs around $450 new, the D5 was around $650 to over $900 depending on the configuration and accessories. Used D5s should be around $300-$400. Used D6s should be around $200-$225.
Marantz
The Marantz PMD430 costs around $500 and I believe was very popular in the professional broadcast world and in field work. It has pitch control, 3 heads and quarter inch and RCA jacks but does not have Dolby C. It is probably easier to find new than the Sony decks. Again look at places that sell pro recording and broadcast equipment
Below are the new decks I think worth looking into. Most of them are 3-head and all of them should have some sort of fine bias adjust and Dolby B and C. All but the Nakamichis and the portables have Dolby HX. None of them should have auto-reverse unless specified.
Nakamichi
Nakamichi arguably makes the best sounding cassette decks you can buy new. However, they are not made as well as they used to be. If you run a Nak hard, like many tape traders will, it is going to be in the repair shop at some point. Actually, most any deck run hard is going to need work done after several years, but most people tend to expect more out of something that costs as much as a Nak. Look into extended warranties. Most people feel the older Naks sound better than the newer ones. (see below for a list of used Naks) The DR-1($929 list) and DR-2($749) are both 3-head decks. The main advantage of the DR-1 over the DR-2 is the user azimuth adjust which helps to optimize playback of tapes made on other machines. The DR-3($429) is a 2-head deck that will out perform just about every other currently available 3-head deck.
The Nakamichi pro decks are worth a look. The MR-1 is a 3-head deck with XLR in/out and 1/4" in and costs $995. The MR-2 is a 2-head deck, has 1/4" and RCA in/out and runs $695. They do feature pitch control which is difficult to find on quality decks these days. These decks sound great but apparently suffer from some of the same reliability problems as the current Nak consumer models, but probably not near as bad.
It should be noted that tapes made on Nakamichi decks will not sound their best unless played back on a Nakamichi. The problem is not like it was with older Naks, but it still exists to some degree. Keep this in mind when tape trading.
Sony ES
[Sony has changed the models on it's ES series cassette decks. I will have a new guide with more current information as soon as I can. -mb] The Sony ES series is beginning to look like a good possible alternative to the Nakamichis. The TC-RX606ES ($400 list) is just about the only decent deck with mic inputs, but it is a 2-head model and unfortunately has auto reverse. The 3-head models include the top of the line TC-K909ES($790) which looks like a very nice deck. The TC-K717ES($560) does not spec as well as the other 3-head decks mentioned in this article but seems to sound good and is built solidly. I have not had the opportunity to listen to any of the ES series cassette decks, but I have heard good things from reliable sources. They are among the few decks with the new Dolby S. Another plus to the Sony ES series is the three year warranty, and in general they should be very reliable. I don't like the regular (non-ES) Sony line very much at all and would avoid them.
Aiwa
The Aiwa AD-F850 ($400 list) is a 3-head dual capstan deck. I have heard some complaints about transport problems in Aiwas. My F-990 is about 9 years old and has given me little trouble. Like Nakamichi, the Aiwa decks are not built as well as they used to be. Consider an extended warranty. There is also an Aiwa AD-F950 which includes Dolby S and should have a list price of around $500. It was not listed in the Audio directory, possibly because it is a new model. For many years the upper end Aiwa models have proven to be very good sounding decks for the money. I've seen Aiwa decks listed in J & R Music World and other mail order catalogues for ridiculously low prices.
Denon
The Denon DRM-740 ($400 list) is a 3-head deck that is very reliable, but I don't think it sounds quite as good as Aiwa. The DRM-540($250) is a good 2-head deck for those on a limited budget.
Tascam Pro
The Tascam 122 MkII is virtually the industry standard in studios and has recently been replaced by the 122 MkIII. Many feel it does not sound quite as good as the Nakamichi MR-1, but as far as reliability it is nearly indestructible. There is a host of user accessible calibration adjustments on the front, and other features that are very useful but mainly in a studio setting. XLR, RCA and 1/4" jacks are supported and it costs around $1000. The 112 MkII is essentially a 2-head version of the 122 with a few less features, but it does have pitch control. It runs for around $650. The 130 is a 3-head deck that does not have the studio oriented features of the other decks and runs for around $450.
Portables
Sony Pro
The Sony WM-D6C Pro Walkman might possibly still be available if you look in the right places. The TC-D5 portable is no longer available. These were the recorders of choice for Grateful Dead live tapers until DAT machines took over. Both are 2-head, and both have pitch control. Connections on the D6 are via stereo mini-plugs(ugh). Connections on the D5 are 1/4 inch mic (D5M), XLR mic (D5ProII), and RCA out. There is a slim chance that some mail order professional recording or broadcast suppliers might have these decks in stock. They should be somewhat available on the used market since many who used them are switching to DAT. The D6C costs around $450 new, the D5 was around $650 to over $900 depending on the configuration and accessories. Used D5s should be around $300-$400. Used D6s should be around $200-$225.
Marantz
The Marantz PMD430 costs around $500 and I believe was very popular in the professional broadcast world and in field work. It has pitch control, 3 heads and quarter inch and RCA jacks but does not have Dolby C. It is probably easier to find new than the Sony decks. Again look at places that sell pro recording and broadcast equipment
stereofanboy
Addicted Member
Don't you love it when you ask a question and someone puts that much effort into their answer?
Bob_in_OKC
Addicted Member
eddisc
Super Member
See above...
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Tascam, Denon Pro and Marantz Pro offer new cassette decks. OK, but not as good as the best of the oldies. Mainly double decks aimed at church and radio news actualities. The Marantz portable machines are the only high end portables still available new and supported with parts and service.
