Which deck to choose?
- Thread starter KeithD
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kevzep
Its all about the Music
My issue with these decks is only two heads.
The Onkyo is a 3 head deck, but offers no record monitoring off the PB head whilst recording.
I record a lot of stuff, and I find two head decks very limiting and time consuming to make recordings on, too much trial and error and then when you're actually recording you're flying blind.
The other issue I have, is a head used for recording and playback is a compromise at best, they always seem to play back better than they are capable of recording (I think thats deliberate by the manufactures), this is because the two functions actually require different parameters, don't get me wrong there are good two head decks, my Tascam 112 is a great two head deck, however I never use it for recording.....and it just can't compete at the level the 122MKII operates at for playback, but is a great back up deck.
I make no secret I am a Tascam fan, I think the 122 MKII is a very solid deck, and it sounds pretty damn good and will easily compete with decks which sell for three times the money.....
The Onkyo is a 3 head deck, but offers no record monitoring off the PB head whilst recording.
I record a lot of stuff, and I find two head decks very limiting and time consuming to make recordings on, too much trial and error and then when you're actually recording you're flying blind.
The other issue I have, is a head used for recording and playback is a compromise at best, they always seem to play back better than they are capable of recording (I think thats deliberate by the manufactures), this is because the two functions actually require different parameters, don't get me wrong there are good two head decks, my Tascam 112 is a great two head deck, however I never use it for recording.....and it just can't compete at the level the 122MKII operates at for playback, but is a great back up deck.
I make no secret I am a Tascam fan, I think the 122 MKII is a very solid deck, and it sounds pretty damn good and will easily compete with decks which sell for three times the money.....
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I have to say my 3 head Teac V-900X sounds the best of all my decks for playback. It's become the standard to compare the other decks to. I really don't record much, so that aspect is not really important to me. However, I agree a head that does both recording and playback must be logically be a compromise. The price range is about $150 for the Onkyo, $70-90 for the Tascam and Teacs, and around $30 for the Technics. Not sure which would be the best value for playback. The older Technics and Teacs might be easier to work on. The newer Tascam and Onkyo might have less problems. I did some searches on the Onkyo and Tascam, but neither show up much. Either they weren't popular or there is just not much interest in them.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
For the money you can't really go wrong, but I would be inclined to go either for the Onkyo but probably more the Tascam...Those Teac's are pretty old and are going to most likely need a lot of work and even then they'll have pedestrian performance compared to a newer deck...
Thanks, Kev. That's the kind of perspective I was looking for.
Looked at the decks today, and listened to the Onkyo. Sounded good, but just didn't think I needed another tape deck right now. I looked at the others, but did not listen. Was only really considering the Tascam 202, but I've read multiple comments that this deck is not one of Tascam's better sounding.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Fair enough, its too easy to just keep buying gear because its there for the taking.....
As far as the Tascam goes, its not a bad deck, but when comparing it to other Tascam decks, its not their best work....
I want another 122 MKII, I'm on the lookout.......
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Me too!
Yes, the Onkyo was aesthetically appealing, but seems like some compromises there. And will it sound any better than my other decks? I'm doubtful...
I might listen to the Tascam 202 the next time I'm there just to hear it and see how it functions. He's got two of them, one at $80 and one at $90 based on cosmetics. The higher priced one is pretty clean.
Is it the case that cassette deck technology improved over time such that later, "lower end" decks are generally better than older, "higher end" decks? Just curious if there is some general trend here. I don't have a lot of experience with cassette decks, but the few '70s era decks I had (they're gone now), certainly had issues, while the late '80s early '90s decks work flawlessly, have more features, and sound good.
I might listen to the Tascam 202 the next time I'm there just to hear it and see how it functions. He's got two of them, one at $80 and one at $90 based on cosmetics. The higher priced one is pretty clean.
Is it the case that cassette deck technology improved over time such that later, "lower end" decks are generally better than older, "higher end" decks? Just curious if there is some general trend here. I don't have a lot of experience with cassette decks, but the few '70s era decks I had (they're gone now), certainly had issues, while the late '80s early '90s decks work flawlessly, have more features, and sound good.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Well, it really depends on the deck, make, construction etc etc....but I would mostly agree.
I do tend to go for the 80's -90's decks, once you get too far into the 90's and the early 2000's they seem to become less serviceable
I find cassette deck technology really came of age in the 80's.... I bought a TEAC V-670 new in 1988 (?) when they were new, it was quite expensive at the time, but I had that deck until about 2011, it never failed me ever.....
The only reason it went to cassette deck heaven was because I completely wore the head out, it was completely gone, and at the same time, I came upon two of the three Tascam's I have now.....but the V670 was a great deck, it sounded fantastic....made super recordings. If I ever see one with good heads, I might just grab it...!!
I'm not really interested in the 1970's cassette decks (as much as I do like the looks), they have always had fairly underwhelming performance for me, and they tend to be very expensive and have too many issues, and mostly all two head machines as well.....
I just want decks that work, record well, and sound great at the end of the day.....and I've found that with my beloved Tascam decks. There will be 70's junkies that disagree, but they should be happy, I'm not pilfering their decks!!
Went back and listened to several decks. I did not hear big differences between TEAC A-640, Tascam 202 mk II, and Onkyo TA-2600. In the end I just could not resist the TEAC! Just too cool looking and TEAC’s top consumer deck in 1977. It has two issues, both meter lights are out, and the Bias switch won’t stay pushed in. Connected it up to my Sansui AU-9900, and sounds great so far!
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Thanks, it's been playing great so far. L meter was not moving much, but through the process of trial and error, I found the VR that regulates signal to the meters. It was just dirty.
Will need to pull out the meter lamps to see if I can find replacements. They are small glass tube lamps with a wire at both ends. I don't have anything like that on hand.
Will need to pull out the meter lamps to see if I can find replacements. They are small glass tube lamps with a wire at both ends. I don't have anything like that on hand.
dhnash
Super Member
That type of lamp is known as axial type. If you cannot obtain information about the lamp voltage from the service manual, you can measure the voltage delivered to the lamps and select a lamp based on that. Here are some possible sources for replacement lamps:
https://www.jkllamps.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=Axial
https://sites.google.com/site/dgwojocom/
Thanks for the info. Looks like Parts Express has them. The originals are frosted glass, but looks like all you can get is clear. Should not be a big deal.
Last fix will be the Bias switch. When you push it in, it does not catch, so is always out. I'm hoping something is just bent and can be moved back for the catch. If it's worn, I'll have to come up with something else...
Last fix will be the Bias switch. When you push it in, it does not catch, so is always out. I'm hoping something is just bent and can be moved back for the catch. If it's worn, I'll have to come up with something else...
dhnash
Super Member
This product is one that has been used and recommended by folks on the Tapeheads reel to reel forum for etching the glass envelopes of lamps to create a frosted appearance.
https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Glass...4QC151EQ92H&psc=1&refRID=SS5PZ1P5K4QC151EQ92H
https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Glass...4QC151EQ92H&psc=1&refRID=SS5PZ1P5K4QC151EQ92H
Thanks, I did not know about that.
The guy I bought the deck from had some axial lamps. He said they were 8 V 30 ma, which seems like it should be the right ones. When I replaced one lamp everything worked fine. But with both in, the output volume of the deck goes to near zero, barely audible. If I take one out (doesn't matter which), sound comes back. This is new to me.
Any idea what the issue is? Clearly the lamps are the problem, but do I just have the wrong voltage or current rating bulbs?
dhnash
Super Member
Can you provide a link to the lamps you purchased from Parts Express? The problem you described could be caused by lamps that draw more current than the originals. If the lamps draw too much current, this could result in a power supply voltage drop that might affect other circuitry. Also, lamps that draw higher current can produce so much heat that plastic in the VU meters could be damaged.
