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What are some of the better Marantz and Pioneer cassette decks?

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DocMontana

Active Member
The thread title pretty much says it all.

I'm sort of shopping around for a new/old cassette deck, and would really like to find a 70's era Marantz since I don't currently have anything Marantz, and I've always liked the brand. Although a Pioneer would be cool as well, or any '70's era high-end deck.

I guess a better question would be what vintage decks have tended to up hold better over the years? I've been poking around on ebay, and just about everything listed states "For parts or repair".
 
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Pioneer CTF-950. It may not have the complete set of bells and whistles as the CTF-1250, but it is a solid performer.
 
Unless you pick up a deck that has been restored, all decks will need some work done to them.
 
If you want a deck of the seventies include much money for restauration and be aware for the relative poor quality. The golden age of tapedecks are the eighties. Even spare parts are a big problem for decks of this era, NOS Motor are in 99% not usable because the age they are dried out and corroded, if you found one.
 
How about this one?

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As far as vintage decks that are still functioning and don't need belts I see more Pioneer and Marantz than other brands. I got a Pioneer CT-F600 fully operating for $50 last year from a stranger on Kijiji.
 
"Functioning" is far different from 100% working. I bought in my life a few hundred decks from various sources. There was not one which works without service or adjusting it. Minimum azimuth and speed. Most times the last drop of oil in the sinter bearings is gone in the first two hours of using and the squealing of the dry motor inform you about, that you have start to ruin the deck forever....
 
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Look around the forums which other people have. I have a Mint looking ctf9191 but it has the broken clutch so it can't rewind.
Other than that the deck sounds superb over any akai i have.

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