Top 10 holy grail cassette decks?

[captaingamez]

And it's simple: my 5 euros Technics RS-B608R can beat easily any "monster" from the Sky...

sorry but no, no it cant. I wish It could too, cause their cheap as all crap and we would all have one, but it wont beat any "monster" deck, let alone easily, let alone come even remotely close.

 

[Derek92994]

As long as you are happy with it, that's all that matters. There is always going to be "better". Its always nice to compare and play with whatever decks might come along. I started with a Yamaha K-600 which had been flogged to death by a DJ, and it kept me happy for nearly 20 years. I never de-magnitized it :lmao:

Then the order goes something like this (of what I can remember):
Yamaha K-220, Yamaha K-340, Harman Kardon TD 420, Yamaha KX-530, Technics RS-TR155, JVC TD-V661, Denon DR-F7

Ok the denon is only a single capstan (but direct drive), but it sounds so warrrrrrrmmmm Gives the V661 a run for its money on some pre-recorded tapes.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S2R_J-6EPY&list=UUYcS06faN2o3a6fgS5vgCIQ&index=9
Note: Tape is rather old so its not perfect

 

[grateful]

It is really not about which deck sounds "better" It is about which deck can sound exactly like the source. The tape source switch is you friend here. The JVC decks can do perfect tape source comparisons as can the Naks and several other top machines. The advantage to the JVC is that the mechanism is simple and tends to stay in good alignment. It does not need a lot of fuss to make superb recordings and they are very cheap on the used market. The JVC units get the best out of the cassette format.

 

[captaingamez]

As long as you are happy with it, that's all that matters. There is always going to be "better". Its always nice to compare and play with whatever decks might come along.

well then why did someone start this list if we are going to conclude "well its whatever you like I guess"

thats not the way a "holy grail list" works, it is a specific list of specific products, its not "well i guess whatever you like" what would make this thread totally pointless, (like it isnt already)

all we have done is basically say "hey I have this deck and I like it"

why did this thread even get started, and why are you all just commenting on your own decks within it?

 

[Derek92994]

I'm ready to make the jump to a TOTL cassette deck. I know about the Nak dragon but not sure about other manufacturers. I've been reading threads trying to figure it out but I figured a collective "two cents" might be helpful to me and others. GO!

Information was requested

 

[grateful]

Some engineers might consider a simple and low cost design that performs as well as a very expensive and mechanically complex design a top 10 holy grail. If it is about lights, glitz, cost, status, as well as performance that is another interpretation of top 10 holy grail.

 

[Karl vd Berg]

sorry but no, no it cant. I wish It could too, cause their cheap as all crap and we would all have one, but it wont beat any "monster" deck, let alone easily, let alone come even remotely close.

They were not "cheap" when they were launched. I find them at a second-hand store for 5 leaves each...

At eBay someone is asking 500 dollars for a unit in not that mint condition...

And they are not my first decks, as many Yamahas, Sonys, Pioneers, Technics weren't...

Technics RS-B 608 R

Signal/Noise Ratio:
       dbx:         92dB
       Dolby C:     74dB

 

[slow_jazz]

How good would a DCC cassette sound against a top cassette deck??

 

[captaingamez]

Some engineers might consider a simple and low cost design that performs as well as a very expensive and mechanically complex design a top 10 holy grail. If it is about lights, glitz, cost, status, as well as performance that is another interpretation of top 10 holy grail.

some engineers might, but the term "holy grail" implies rarity as well.

 

[grateful]

I wouldn't interpret rarity as a criteria for Holy grail.

 

[captaingamez]

really? i didnt know that there was more than one holy grail.

 

[glen65]

The better JVC decks like the V-661 are in fact direct drive dual capstan machines. They have wow and flutter readings that are as good as the best decks I have measured. under .04%. They are dead flat from 30HZ-19KHZ when set up properly. They will make a tape that is identical to the source in tape source comparisons when monitored on a very revealing system. They are much newer than a lot of the more expensive decks mentioned and tend to be in better shape. JVC decks are very popular in recording studios.

I still haven't parted from my TD-V66. Don't play it much but I've never been disappointed with it.

Off topic question, you still running that Heathkit setup you showed us several years ago?

 

[AU20K]

Grailworthiness is an opinion.

The Sony TC-WR90ES is definitely grail-worthy from my pov. I have one that I purchased new in oh,,,about 1989-90ish. Still works like new, records and pays with crystal clarity and looks awesome. I have an "audiophile" friend who has been after me to trade him with his NAK Dragon. The NAK is a nice machine but we both like the Sony much better.

 

[captaingamez]

Grailworthiness is an opinion.

The Sony TC-WR90ES is definitely grail-worthy from my pov. I have one that I purchased new in oh,,,about 1989-90ish. Still works like new, records and pays with crystal clarity and looks awesome. I have an "audiophile" friend who has been after me to trade him with his NAK Dragon. The NAK is a nice machine but we both like the Sony much better.

I want some of whatever you are smoking to not make that trade, you are totally nuts.

you could literally buy 10 tc-wr90es or whatever for the price of one dragon, the playback is not comparable.

I am buying a sony tc-wr90es right now to trade your buddy in fact, Ill take that nasty horrible dragon off his plate for a nice BPC sony any day.

 

[rotovator]

Second round:

Akai GXC-570DII
A&D GX-Z9100EX
Sansui SC-5110
Technics RS-M95
Philips N5748
SAE C101
Denon DN-790R
Yamaha KX-950
Aurex PC-X88AD
Onkyo TA-6711
Sharp RT-7100

Again, these machines only well calibrated, de-magnetized, recapped, lubricated, etc, etc, etc...

I knew you were dutch when I red Philips N5748!! :thmbsp:

I'd like to test one of those

I have my own list and also my own oppinion, which matches some others around here. I would only add the non-owed (therefore not biased) TC-K777 ESII, REvox H1 (B215)

You can see my classification in

http://webs.ono.com/llagona/coleccion.html

 

[20tajk7]

I want some of whatever you are smoking to not make that trade, you are totally nuts.

you could literally buy 10 tc-wr90es or whatever for the price of one dragon, the playback is not comparable.

I am buying a sony tc-wr90es right now to trade your buddy in fact, Ill take that nasty horrible dragon off his plate for a nice BPC sony any day.

+1, TC-WR***ES series are the worst Sony ES decks, the TC-K***ES & TC-KA*ES series are definitely better in term of sound & build quality (I have two of 750ES).

 

[Karl vd Berg]

I knew you were dutch when I red Philips N5748!! :thmbsp:

I'd like to test one of those

I have my own list and also my own oppinion, which matches some others around here. I would only add the non-owed (therefore not biased) TC-K777 ESII, REvox H1 (B215)

You can see my classification in

http://webs.ono.com/llagona/coleccion.html

Very respectable collection! :thmbsp:

People here are waiting a picture of your whole collection, then! :scratch2:

 

[Karl vd Berg]

Rarities but not holy grails...

Philips N5788 (1980)

Pioneer CT-9R (1982)

The Kyocera D-811 is regarded by many as one of the finest decks ever made. Essential features, extremely reliable...

 

[captaingamez]

that Kyocera IMHO actually does qualify as holy grail status, wether its top 10 or not im not sure, but definitely rare and desireable

 

[AU20K]

I want some of whatever you are smoking to not make that trade, you are totally nuts.

you could literally buy 10 tc-wr90es or whatever for the price of one dragon, the playback is not comparable.

I am buying a sony tc-wr90es right now to trade your buddy in fact, Ill take that nasty horrible dragon off his plate for a nice BPC sony any day.

Like I said earlier, it’s an opinion. I respect yours. I think your over-reaction to mine is a little unwarranted, but again, that’s just one of many opinions I’ve formed today.