Full Range Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 In the past I have owned both types of tape players Cassette and Reek2Reel and still do to this day Just putting out the question what player have you found to be better and why The real reason for this thread is to find the best of the best Brands/Models of both types of players that you have owned, heard or have had experience with I am in search for an excellent cassette player to add into the system and I want to weed out the gems and make a short list I currently have a Sony TC 765 Reel2Reel and a baby Nakamichi 480 , 2 head Cassette deck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 For cassette decks, it's a no-brainer. Here's a few in order of goodness: Nakamichi CR7 Nakamichi ZX9 Nakamichi Dragon Nakamichi 100ZXL Nakamichi 700ZXL (the best looking deck of all time, IMO) Nakamichi ZX7 Whilst the Dragon and the 1000ZXL are excellent machines, repair costs can be considerable. I prefer the simpler Nakas. Which is why the CR7 and ZX9 take pride of place. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 For cassette decks, it's a no-brainer. Here's a few in order of goodness: Nakamichi CR7 Nakamichi ZX9 Nakamichi Dragon Nakamichi 100ZXL Nakamichi 700ZXL (the best looking deck of all time, IMO) Nakamichi ZX7 Whilst the Dragon and the 1000ZXL are excellent machines, repair costs can be considerable. I prefer the simpler Nakas. Which is why the CR7 and ZX9 take pride of place. Yes the CR7 & the ZX9 are fine decks Finding good examples is the hard part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I had the nakamichi cr2 http://www.vintagecassette.com/nakamichi/cr_2 didnt see the value of spending up any further up the nakamichi range...only because of how good the cr2 was. also owned the sony wm-d6c amazing cassette deck http://www.walkmancentral.com/products/wm-d6c really though recordable cd and mini disc soon passed these machines over.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 I have spotted this very large AKAI GXC-570d CASSETTE DECK for sale in SA Probably similar to the Nak 1000 Anyone know much about them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Similar to the Naka 1000, in that they both play cassettes. That is where the similarities begin and end. And not REMOTELY close to the mighty Nakamichi 100ZXL. Some of the old Akai decks were robust, reliable, easy to service and modest performers. The GXC570D was one of those. The old Nakas were exceptional performing decks. Some models were less than exceptionally reliable. They're also quite difficult to service. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks ZB I have always considered Nakamichi as the best makers of cassette players I purchased the Nak 480 new back in the late 70s The way I run my tape decks is with a Nacamichi CA-5 II preamp that allows two decks to be connected I remember that some models came with auto Azimuth correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks ZB I have always considered Nakamichi as the best makers of cassette players I purchased the Nak 480 new back in the late 70s The way I run my tape decks is with a Nacamichi CA-5 II preamp that allows two decks to be connected I remember that some models came with auto Azimuth correction The big adavantages of the Nakas were these: * Proper discrete 3 head head design. Not a combined 3 head design, like most other manufacturers used. (Yes, I am aware that the 480 is a 2 head design). * The pressure pad lifting system. * A really nice dual capstan drive. * Proper adjustment capabilities for the head, rollers and guides. Even a 2 head Naka is better than most other manufacturer's 3 head machines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 The mechanism on the naka's was amazing. My cr2 was just beautiful in operation. Solid in build and yet in operation just so slick and smooth as silk ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 I am hoping that "in SNA membership land, " that some members will find a nice example stored away and PM me and offer it to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 There's plenty on ebay , even if buying from uk, it's only a pittance people are asking for these gorgeous pieces these days ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 I have spotted a Nakamichi Dragon ( 110volt ) and a CR3 on eBay same seller has both Would anyone risk big money on a 110 Volt unit ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Can't see 110v bring an issue. Plenty of decent step down transformers around. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) 110VAC is no problem, but the location of the seller may be. A Dragon should be either VERY cheap, or be able to be examined before purchase. They can be very expensive to repair. The CR3 is a good deck and not difficult to service. My preference is still a CR7 or a ZX9, as they are far simpler machines, but still offer outstanding performance and are much easier machines to service. Edited March 13, 2014 by Zaphod Beeblebrox 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beacon Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 While not in the same league as the Nakamichi 3 head decks, the Nakamichi 500 I purchased in 1977 gave me years of trouble free service and great sound. I used it mainly for recording LPs. Around the late 80s I had to have the heads replaced. I sent the machine to the "recommended" Nakamichi service centre in Sydney which duly charged me about one hundred dollars to do the job. The deck was never the same again with one channel dropping out after an hour or so. I would clean the heads with alcohol which fixed the problem but not for long. There were other problems too which I can no longer remember. I replaced it with a Yamaha KX 670 3 head deck in 1994. The Yamaha was, and still is, a fine piece of kit which I use occasionally. I kept the Nakamichi in storage until a few years ago when, perhaps foolishly following a clean-up, I offloaded it to a local 2nd hand electronics/record dealer for about $80. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 110VAC is no problem, but the location of the seller may be. A Dragon should be either VERY cheap, or be able to be examined before purchase. They can be very expensive to repair. The CR3 is a good deck and not difficult to service. My preference is still a CR7 or a ZX9, as they are far simpler machines, but still offer outstanding performance and are much easier machines to service. I can drive to Toowoomba in one hour to inspect those decks Still again I tend to favour the CR7 and the ZX9 I will just bide my time as the old saying goes - good things come to those that wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 A Dragon in good operating condition is a stunning sounding deck. Take a couple of blank tapes and run a quick check on the machine. A bias and level calibration, along with an azimuth check should reveal any serious problems. Such tests are very easy on the Dragon. Failure of any test should rule the Dragon out, or, at least a basis for negotiation on price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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