Name the Best single or dual cassette tape deck from 1995 until today? - Under $100 range (for a used one)

[cyberia]

If you could have your pick of any single or dual cassette tape deck from 1995 until today, which one would you buy? Please suggest a brand (JVC, Sony, Technics, Yamaha, Onkyo etc.) and a model.

 

[amnesiac]

uhhh, why?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Nakamichi Dragon without a doubt

 

[klah]

Nakamichi DR-1.

 

[ChrisIsBored]

what's a cassette?

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: chrisisbored
what's a cassette?

My dad still has his Reel to Reel that tapes to 8 track:Q

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
Nakamichi Dragon without a doubt

Yep, Nak was the top of the cassette heap.

And there never were any really good double-decks they were for tape-to-tape dubbing not real recording.

 

[cyberia]

I am looking to do a transfer of all my tapes to PC, so I can kiss them goodbye. 4 towers with cassette tapes (330+ tapes). I got Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card for this task. Now I need to find a used high-quality tape deck to do the final honors for my outgoing tapes.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: klah
Nakamichi DR-1.

I second that.

ZV

 

[N8Magic]

I'd have to agree with everyone else and say the Nakamichi Dragon... by FAR.

Although I have heard some Denon decks that sounded pretty good as well.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: cyberia
I am looking to do a transfer of all my tapes to PC, so I can kiss them goodbye. 4 towers with cassette tapes (330+ tapes). I got Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card for this task. Now I need to find a used high-quality tape deck to do the final honors for my outgoing tapes.

Some of the Naks had manual tracking adjustments which could help with the transfer, since record/play head alignment differences between decks can cause problems just like a VCR mistracking.

If you don't want to pay that much, look for a single deck from someone like Denon, maybe Pioneer Elite, Sony ES. Auto-reverse tended to have worse specs than non-auto-reverse, and auto-reverse are more likely to have mechanical problems.

 

[cyberia]

I can barely afford used owner's manuals for a Nakamichi on Ebay. I need something in under $100 range. Are Sonys any good? I personally prefer a JVC, but unfortunately I missed one on Ebay today.

 

[RU482]

Think of it this way...buy a new one, use the hell out of it to back up your tapes(you've got 330+ tapes), then sell it on ebay!

 

[KingNothing]

My church uses Denon cassette decks to record the sermons, and ~400k has been invested in our media system. Take that for what it's worth, I know little about cassette decks.

 

[bizmark]

you can usually find used Naks fairly cheaply locally.... look in pawn shops and the like. Most people have no idea what they're worth.... to them, it's a tape deck, and tapes went out a loooong time ago.

 

[cyberia]

Looks like I am going on a bargain hunting through local pawn shops this weekend.
Any ideas on the best way to test a used tape deck? I mean those pawn shop owners might not bother with hooking up the deck to a good receiver/speakers (if they have them at all). Do most high end tape decks have a 1/4" phono jack?

And thank you everybody for your so far excellent suggestions.

 

[SuperSix]

I have a Nakamichi rotting in my garage.. Single deck, logic control.. $20.00 + freight

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

If you are thinking about testing with headphones, you will probably need a an adapter. Most use the larger size plug

 

[bizmark]

you'll probably just want to find the best one you can, and buy it. There's a lot that can go wrong with a tape deck that can make it sound pretty bad, but with a simple and inexpensive cleaning/repair, you can make it sound like new again. Check out the Audio Repair FAQ section about Audio Cassette and Open Tape Reel Equipment for extensive info. You might want to read it and familiarize yourself with the parts of a tape deck and what can go wrong to cause different audio problems, so that you can know what to look for when you go bargain-hunting. For the most part though, I would trust a Nakamichi if I found one... I'd simply make sure it plays back, rewinds, fast-forwards, etc. in the store. I'd then take it home, clean it thoroughly, and be satisfied.

edit: oh yeah, they almost always use a 1/4 inch jack. I don't think I've ever seen a piece of home audio equipment that used the smaller 1/8 inch jack.

P.S., I'll take you up on your offer SuperSix if cyberia doesn't! It works, right?

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: cyberia
If you could have your pick of any single or dual cassette tape deck from 1995 until today, which one would you buy? Please suggest a brand (JVC, Sony, Technics, Yamaha, Onkyo etc.) and a model.

Well, single cassette players, in general are better.

I have a dual deck Pioneer I'd be willing to sell.

Dolby B,c and noise reduction system built in.

Handles all types of tapes. Forget teh different types, bu things like "metal" tapes. CD Synchro with other Pioneer CD players.

IMHO: Has very good playback quality, granted I'm only an amateur audiophile and don't know much about tape decks anymore.

I can sell it to you on the cheap. Way under $100. If interested, PM me. The deck was $200+ new. Forget the exact price/model info.

Karl

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: bizmark
you'll probably just want to find the best one you can, and buy it. There's a lot that can go wrong with a tape deck that can make it sound pretty bad, but with a simple and inexpensive cleaning/repair, you can make it sound like new again. Check out the Audio Repair FAQ section about Audio Cassette and Open Tape Reel Equipment for extensive info. You might want to read it and familiarize yourself with the parts of a tape deck and what can go wrong to cause different audio problems, so that you can know what to look for when you go bargain-hunting. For the most part though, I would trust a Nakamichi if I found one... I'd simply make sure it plays back, rewinds, fast-forwards, etc. in the store. I'd then take it home, clean it thoroughly, and be satisfied.

edit: oh yeah, they almost always use a 1/4 inch jack. I don't think I've ever seen a piece of home audio equipment that used the smaller 1/8 inch jack.

P.S., I'll take you up on your offer SuperSix if cyberia doesn't! It works, right?

Sorry, he's taking it.. Maybe I shoulda Ebay'd it.. Oh well.. BTW, it a nakamichi 480.

 

[cyberia]

I can't wait to start my project. Good thing is SuperSix and I are almost neighbors.

Thanks for the deal. And good night now. It's way past my bed time. Almost time to go to work.