Cassette deck head wear

Using TDK MA, the average level on rock rides around 6-7. I'm happy with the level so long as the ten bar only momentarily flashes. I haven't tried the MA-X's rationalizing that my deck, the least of the three-head designs, would not take full benefit from their higher performance.

Don't worry Inna. You'll know your heads are worn if, after cleaning and demagnetizing, and worse case, re-aligning the deck, it no longer sounds as good as the source material. I firmly believe that the rate of head wear is largely dependent on the quality of tape used.

I'd agree with Marak that the heads in bottom of the line decks of any make probably don't last more than a few years. I disagree that using higher quality metal tapes, like TDK MA or Maxell MX, accelerate head wear. If anything they prolong it. Using cheap tape requires more frequent cleaning of the heads. Good type IV (metal tape) is more uniform than its lesser cousins. It doesn't shed its particles as readily, and it is the grit of loose particles that contribute to head wear.

Nak addressed head wear by using dual capstan transports in some of their pricier decks. The "Asymmetrical Dual-Capstan Transport" contains a lifter to move the pressure pad inside the tape out of the way, so it no longer pinches the tape to the head. This reduces scrape flutter and prolongs head wear. I've had my 3-head Nak CR-3A since new in 1988 and it still works and sounds as good as new - using metal tape exclusively to archive hundreds of record albums. So if yours still sounds good, all I'd recommend is regular cleaning, and regular exercise.

Wow Inna, 500 hours is incredible. I feel I'm pushing my luck if I wait 50. Nak recommends cleaning every ten hours.

Dolby C was relatively new on the scene when I got my Nak. The extra 6dB of published signal to noise ratio for C vs. B sold me. I record everything in Dolby C using TDK MA, leveling the hottest signal at a hair under +10dB and pre-adjusting the bias until I can't tell the difference between the source and the tape.

But yeah, sometimes at low playback levels I get the feeling I'm missing something. At normal volumes and beyond though, the sound comes into itself and becomes quite natural. Then I'm glad the tape doesn't sound too hot. Tell you what, I'm still so chuffed over the extended playing time of tape that I prefer it to spinning the original records. Along with the confidence that good metal tape imparts, it's just too easy.