• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Top 10 holy grail cassette decks?

This is a little off topic, but I just felt I had to make mention of it. This is a great thread with a lot of great input and information within. I love that part of it and have learned a lot. I also realize that we all have opinions that may make up this "Top Ten....." title of the thread. The diversity of ever one who adds their opinions is what makes the thread great, and I don't feel that just because the title says "Top Ten...." that there are only ten top decks out there. Once again, it's everyone's own opinions and everyone's own ears and discretions.
With that said, I am troubled and even saddened to read some of the more emotional, finger-pointing and even some downright nasty comments within. Tape team, it's not about that. It's about sharing our love, knowledge and hobby with others who have the appreciations. Can't we keep the comments civil and free to discuss whatever we think and feel are our favorites? Everyone's knowledge, experience and opinions are super valuable! Thank you all for that.....
 
Getting a hang on to the dragon....

Joe-Recording.jpg
 
Bang & Olufsen Beocord 9000 has to be among the top 10. Some of it's features are:
- 3 head mechanism
- Fully automatic BIAS+EQ etc. calibration, to any tape
- 10Hz to 25KHz on metal type cassettes.
- Dolby B/C noise reduction
- HX professional
 
Norliss said:
Here's my list although it's a slight cheat because I've sometimes grouped several models from the same manufacturer's series together:

1/ Luxman K-03/K-04/K-05 - as a Luxman fan, one of these would be the deck I'd like the most

and then in no particular order:

2/ Nakamichi CR4/CR5/CR7
3/ Revox B-215
4/ Sony TC-KA6ES/ TC-KA7ES*
5/ Yamaha KX-1200
6/ Pioneer CT-95/T-1100S
7/ Aiwa XK-S7000/XK-S9000
8/ Akai GK-95II
9/ Technics RS-B965
10/ Tandberg TCD-3014

*Sony's range is huge and a bit confusing and opinions seem to vary as to which are the best ones. That said, given the price of cassette decks these days, I don't suppose it's likely to present me a problem as I'm unlikely to be looking at buying any of them anytime soon!
Click to expand...

Given what I now know, I'd revise this list. I'd still most like one of the aforementioned Luxman units but the remainder would be:

2/ Aiwa XK-S9000/ XK-S7000
3/ Aiwa AD-F990/ AD-F770
4/ Nakamichi ZX-9/ZX-7/CR-7/CR-4
5/ Tandberg TCD-3014
6/ Sony TC-KA7ES*
7/ Bang & Olufsen Beocord 9000**

*There are still a bunch of other Sony decks for which I'd be partial but the lineup is confusing and I can't remember the model numbers right now!
**This would be contingent on being able to assemble a Beo-system :)
 
Last edited:
I remember that back in the day the Nak Dragon was the tape deck that set the standard, there were also many mentions of the Aiwa decks. The dealer I was working with back then mentioned the Luxman K-109 which I thought was pretty good in comparison to other decks but probably not a good as the K-03/K-04/K-05. But I went ahead and bought it. Seems like it's a pretty rare unit by today's standards. I think I will keep it and get if fully restored. Youtube video of the unit is below:


Will post photos if anyone is interested in the still pictures.
 
I was bored and decided to read this entire thread over my morning coffee.....

You are ALL wrong! :D

The "Holy Grail" deck is one you can keep running!!

Mine are: Revox B710, Teac C-3X, Teac C-1, and my Tascam 122MKII. I can keep these tanks working until I draw my last breath.
Holy Grail to me, because I DON'T have "Holy Grail" EARS at this point of my life! :bigok:

I have owned and serviced many, many decks.... but those are the one's I kept. My Tascam is used in my tape transfer cart. Along with it is my Revox PR"77"MKIII. That is a slow speed NAB deck I converted to 1/4 track. Because that's what I wanted. :p

Holy Grail is what you HAVE! ;) 20220919_111352.jpg
 
Yep, Tinman, I agree 100%. At 64, my hearing is compromised to 12k (used to be able to hear to 21k) and I have highly audible tinnitus in both ears, probably not helped by going to rock concerts with my eldest brother from the age of 10 (so Cream Fairwell, Zep, Purple at the Rainbow, Bowie, more Zep, Floyd blah, blah) drumming with 10,000w either side of me for 6 years and, of course, going to clubs where it was so loud, you literally couldn’t hear the person shouting next to you! All the until ‘84 when I got married and calmed down… a bit!
So a lot of our kit is TOTL (A7030GSL, AS200S, A450, KD-A7, KEF 103/3, DX-2D) or MOTL (A3300-10, CR-4, CR-2, CDP991) when new however, I recognise that there were/are better products available then and now, but I don’t care. I love my HiFi.
 
Got this list from Tapeheads: the guy who posted it owns, or his previously owned each and every one and listed them in order of preference.

Nakamichi CR-7A
Nakamichi Dragon
Revox B215
Revox B215S
Revox B710 MkII
Tandberg TCD-3014A
Luxman K05
Luxman 5K50M
Eumig FL-1000u

Only one I have on the list is the Revox B215S, which seems like a very mechanically reliable deck and easily sounds as good as my Nak RX-202. I also have an HK CD-491 that needs to be serviced, back when it worked it sounded very impressive for a mid-tier unit.
 
Back when cassette decks were at the peak of their popularity, in my neck of the woods, the undisputed king was the NAK Dragon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom