Cassette Player and Turntable Cartridge

cambir

Anyone have a decent cassette player sitting around? My Sony ES just stopped working.

Also looking for a turntable cartridge. I don't know much about what I need, but my son has taken an interest. I think it's p-mount (Technics SL-D202)? What should I get, and what do people have available new or slightly used?

jdjohn

I have a few cassette decks available.

One is a Pioneer CT-W604RS:


Another is a Tascam 112R (still testing it):


I have a JVC as well (no pics yet), and another few in storage.

It looks like your turntable uses standard 1/2" mount cartridges. Is there anything wrong with those two you have?

cambir

Might be interested in that Pioneer. Everything works? How much?

Not sure of the age/condition of the 2 I have, so figured maybe I get a new one since my son has bought a couple new records. Is "standard 1/2" different than "p-mount"? (Like I said, I don't really know much in this area...)

txcoastal1

At the very least with the Pioneer dual tape deck, you should be able to keep at least 1 side running.
Had that deck many moons ago.

jdjohn

Yep, everything works. It's from my dad's collection, likely purchased from a thrift store 20+ years ago. I tested it for both playback and recording, and it works as it should. This model does not have the typical FFW and REW buttons, but instead, uses MS (Music Search) buttons to move between songs. Also, the recording function (by design) only works on the right-hand (Deck II) side. Again, this is by design, and mentioned in the owner's manual.

Cosmetically, there are a few dings on the top cover. Checkout the yellow circles and the red arrow in this pic.



Here are pics from under the cover, including pics of the belts from both transports.





I can do $50 plus shipping on it. PM me if you'd like to move forward. I am leaving for vacation tomorrow, so wouldn't be able to ship it until the following week.

Regarding the cartridges, P-mount carts normally plug into a socket of some sort, whereas the standard 1/2" carts have two holes (1/2" apart) that allow them to be mounted under a headshell...like the ones you have. Cartridges don't really wear-out...only the stylus does. Moving magnet carts have replaceable styluses that can be purchased separately, so you don't really have to buy a new cartridge. The Grado cart looks like a Prestige Green, but I can't quite tell what the other one is.

SeleniumFalcon

What model Sony do you have and what's it not doing?

SCompRacer

jdjohn wrote: »

Regarding the cartridges, P-mount carts normally plug into a socket of some sort, whereas the standard 1/2" carts have two holes (1/2" apart) that allow them to be mounted under a headshell...like the ones you have. Cartridges don't really wear-out...only the stylus does. Moving magnet carts have replaceable styluses that can be purchased separately, so you don't really have to buy a new cartridge. The Grado cart looks like a Prestige Green, but I can't quite tell what the other one is.

+1 to what jdjohn said. A visual aid of the difference.

cambir

SeleniumFalcon wrote: »

What model Sony do you have and what's it not doing?

TC-KA1ESA and it won't play, rew, ff. Guessing it needs a belt and a full service and cleaning.

cambir

Other cartridge is a Precept?

So I just need to find a new stylus, probably for the Grado, and that's an easy replacement? Does it matter what stylus?

audioluvr

Grado styli are super easy to swap out. Before doing that though I'd take it out and clean the contacts between the stylus housing and the cartridge. They can get corroded over time. Then get you a hand lens to inspect the diamond's condition. It may simply need a good cleaning.

jdjohn

cambir, do you have any idea on the number of hours put on those cartridges/styli? They may be fine.

I think audioluvr has had more luck than me with replacing Grado styli. I've broken at least two that I can remember. There is a special tool that makes it easier. Regarding the contacts inside, be careful not to strip the damping grease they use. It is rather nasty stuff, that looks like it might not belong in there, but it's actually part of the design to have it in place.

Precept was a higher-end line of Audio Technica, and frankly, the sound difference between Grado and AT is rather stark, but it just comes down to personal preference. Grado is warmer with rolled-off highs, and AT is brighter with more high-end detail. Neither is bad...just different.

I would recommend a cheap jeweler's loupe for inspecting the styli for cleanliness. A combo 30X/60X is good for that.

SeleniumFalcon

That Sony cassette deck uses Sony's TCM190 transport which has some good points, the belts and pinch rollers are fairly easy to replace if needed. However there is one big flaw: there is a toothed plastic belt which is used to drive the gears that control transport switching between fast forward and play. The plastic used in this belt becomes, over time, brittle and breaks. The only way to repair it is to find a working deck and swap parts, but chances are good it will eventually have problems. The real heyday for Sony's ES series decks are the 70's and 80's models, by the 90's Sony was penny pinching and unfortunately going to simpler, less robust designs.

Keiko

If those cartridges turn out to be bad, I'd recommend the newest Audio Techica line of VM cartridges. He can start out with this little conical stylus here which is very easy to set up. If he decides he likes vinyl and wants to upgrade, he'll be able to do so with this cartridge. I bought the AT95VMe for a really good price and upgraded the stylus to the ML which is probably the best one in the lineup, even over the Shibata IMO. But I digress, this would be a very good choice for someone's who just getting into records.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-VM95C-Moving-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B07JL2RTBX/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2AL9EEX0OAKM8&keywords=at3600l+cartridge&qid=1666055676&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjg2IiwicXNhIjoiMi45MiIsInFzcCI6IjIuNjAifQ==&sprefix=at3600l,aps,432&sr=8-9

skrol

I have several cassette decks that I could part with. A couple Denon 3-head (DRM-700A and DR-M30HX), Denon DRR-780 tray loader and a Pioneer CT-6R.

cambir

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I really don't know the number of hours on either, as both came with the TT when I got it a few years back. I'll look at the cleaning options and decide from there I guess.

cambir

skrol wrote: »

I have several cassette decks that I could part with. A couple Denon 3-head (DRM-700A and DR-M30HX), Denon DRR-780 tray loader and a Pioneer CT-6R.

I'd be interested. Is one of these better than the others? Any of them better than the Pioneer jdjohn posted? Just looking for something decent, that won't eat tapes, and will last a little while. Maybe one of the Denons?

skrol

Sorry I didn't see this until now. The Denon DRM-700A and the DR-M30HX would be the best of the bunch. I'd consider them about equal. The 700A is a newer model than the 30HX. I did install new belts in the 30HX. Both sound very nice. For what specs are worth...

DRM-700A Specs:
Specifications
Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
Heads: 1 x combination record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 1 x capstan, 1 x reel, 1 x actuator
Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: B, C
Headroom Extension: HX Pro
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (Metal tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 74dB (dolby C)
Wow and Flutter: 0.045%
Input: 80mV (line)
Output: 0.62V (line)
Dimensions: 434 x 135 x 303mm
Weight: 5kg
Year: 1991
https://www.cassettedeck.org/denon/drm-700a

DR-M30HX Specs:
Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
Heads: 1 x combination record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 1 x capstan, 1 x reel
Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: B, C
Headroom Extension: HX Pro
Frequency Response: 25Hz to 19kHz (Metal tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 75dB (dolby C)
Wow and Flutter: 0.045%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 3%
Input: 100mV (line)
Output: 0.775V (line)
Dimensions: 434 x 115 x 286mm
Weight: 5.6kg
Year: 1986
https://www.cassettedeck.org/denon/dr-m30hx