Audio cassette decks...

Bubinga99

Who still makes them?

I found a couple Sony and Pioneer models with the features I want but they have been discontinued recently. Tascam/Teac has a couple but they're more than I want to spend and don't have the features I want.

Other brands you can think of?

I don't want to buy used and am not looking for a fixer-upper. I only have a short term need so I want something very reliable, which probably rules out the bottom of the line units.

Thanks

heiney9

I would be surprised if there were any available that weren't low end. Tape died years ago. No company I know would put any money into marketing a mid to high end unit these days.

You'd be better off with a nice older used deck, like a Nakamichi, if you are looking for quality recordings.

Bubinga99

Yeah, that's true, and I suppose low end is a relative term.

Actually I only need it for playback, but it's probably even harder to find playback-only. Harder still when I need the deck to support metal (type IV) tape

heiney9

Nakamichi will fit your needs and they are dirt cheap. You could look for a professional recording deck but you'd be getting (and paying for) a bunch of features you don't need. Plus, they typically aren't cheap.

heiney9

I guess my point is look for a nice used deck, it will be better built and sound better than a low end unit from a few years ago.

H9

mhardy6647

heiney9 wrote: »

I guess my point is look for a nice used deck, it will be better built and sound better than a low end unit from a few years ago.

H9

It is so... many decent options; most will cost less than a C-note in good working order.



Hitachi and harman/kardon both made some very nice decks, especially their 3-head models. Many late-1970s/early-1980s Radio Shack cassette decks were Hitachi OEM.

The good Nakamichis tend to (still) be 'spensive, but they were, and still are, very good. Tandberg made some excellent cassette decks.

Appropos of nothing: Here's a coupla cheap (2-head) Nakamichis I've found at the dump. They're OK too, actually.

cnh

Nakamichi is a great deck..don't worry about buying used, they are pretty easy to get serviced. I own a 20+ year old 3 head AIWA single deck that was OK in its day...maybe not a Naka...but not bad. It's belts went a year or two ago and I had a guy work on it for about 60 dollars--parts and labor. Sounds as good as new.

I think a lot of people, including myself, started to get into audio during the 'cassette' period so we have a Shxt-load of cassettes still hanging around. I'd go with any of the suggestions above (used) and have the unit serviced if you have any problems. Nearly anything wrong with a cassette can be fixed even motors for the really high end units!

cnh

nooshinjohn

Bubinga99 wrote: »

Who still makes them?

I found a couple Sony and Pioneer models with the features I want but they have been discontinued recently. Tascam/Teac has a couple but they're more than I want to spend and don't have the features I want.

Other brands you can think of?

I don't want to buy used and am not looking for a fixer-upper. I only have a short term need so I want something very reliable, which probably rules out the bottom of the line units.

Thanks

send me a pm... I have a decent Denon you can have for as long as you need it, then just send it back.

Bubinga99

Thanks guys. I found a Sony that should do the trick.

MHardy: cool pics!

John: thanks for the generous offer, and if the Sony falls through (its on backorder, but supposed to be in stock next week) I may get back to you.

danger boy

another good brand and there are many used inexpensive ones around are Sony ES decks. I got one last year from GW for $15 (some people said I overpaid)

mhardy6647

FWIW, TEAC still makes some "pro" cassette decks branded TASCAM. They are not "high-end" in the audiophile sense, but they're likely the best things on the market today in terms of new production.

Both the Sony and AIWA 3-head decks were quite respectable, as has been pointed out in other posts above.

skrol

I picked up a NEW Denon DRM-800A from 1991 last month got $40. It was in the original box wrapped in the original packing for 19 years. The foam wrapping was deteriorating and created a sticky film on the outside of the unit that cleaned off without a problem. Other than that it is perfect and sounds awesome. I guess I don't need my DRM-700A any more.

Polkie2009

Great pics guys, always nice to see some cool vintage gear still around! Good luck with the Sony Bubinga,I'm sure it will be a nice deck. I've got an old Tascam 133 that's still kicking!