• 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

Which cassettes should I use?

AudioNord

AudioNord

New Member
Which cassettes should I use for my Denon DRM400? The Denon has automatic format recognition, but I'm not sure how it does with type 4s. I'm looking for a specific make and model, nothing too expensive but good quality. I'm probably only gonna record once on each tape.

Suggestions?
 
Register to hide this ad
Looking at the manual for the DRM-550, which appears to have similar set up, any tape should work as it self adjust. I would go with some nice Maxell XLII, TDK SA and the like
 
What about the type 4 tapes? I've heard they sound good but may be rough on the heads.
I payed about 12 USD for the player, so maybe that's not such a big deal. I don't know.

What about old unused tapes? Do tapes have a "best before" date?
 
The DRM400 is listed as having metal tape capability, so it should have no problem recognizing or playing/recording metal tapes.

Whether you really need metal tapes is another question....

Happy trails,
Larry B.
 
Personal opinion only: Given the prices that metal cassettes seem to be going for, their use seems to make sense only for live recordings. If you're merely dubbing from another source - CD, vinyl, what have you - their use doesn't make much economic sense. Unless, of course, you have A) Lots of money or B) A secret stash of Type IV cassettes.

For day-to-day use, a good Type II is quite sufficient.

As always, just my opinion, YMMV.

Happy trails,
Larry B.
 
Thanks. The type 2s I have do sound really good. I'm just curious what kind of improvement I should expect from type 4.
 
The initial problems with metal tape formulations were oxidation and a noise level far above that of ferric or chrome tapes. The MOL had to be very high in order to provide a signal-to-noise ratio equal to that of a chrome tape because the bias noise of metal tape was so high. The extraordinary SOL value of metal, though, was much higher than that offered by any other cassette formulation (although the chrome music cassettes recorded for playback at 120 microseconds came very close). Print-through was also better on metal tapes than on any other tape formulation. There was never any concern in technical circles about headwear from metal tape, and the author cited above is merely repeating rumors generated by those opposed to metal tape. (The same thing happened to chrome tape, although there was some evidence of wear that was misunderstood and wildly exaggerated. The issue of headwear was far more complicated and involved the more critical gap wear, an area where chromium dioxide was superior to other tapes.)
 
kermit z said:
...I would go with some nice Maxell XLII...
Click to expand...

Seconded, assuming you can still find/procure these suckers? I always preferred the 90-minute to the 100-minute variety. (Am I accurately remembering that Maxell had a 100-minute cassette, or am I have I allowed TDK to invade my recollection?)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom