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Nakamichi RX-505 and some nice tapes for it

According to the prices for Nakamichi decks and cassette tapes I feel like it's not the best time to buy any of them, I feel like I missed the train, but I wish to have this model in my collection. And I want it so bad ... 

I remember my Maxell, Fuji, Sony, TDK cassettes used in the 90's, but once you gave them to you girlfriend they are gone. 

My Pioneer cassette deck was removed from my rack probably in 2006 and never used since that day. I recorded mixtapes from vinyl since mid 90's. Earlier in high-school I recorded something from CDs when it was an exotic format here, also made cassette to cassette copies. 

I never thought I will even think about this format again, but I think it would be nice to have Nakamichi RX-505 (I really like this particular model only, except for Dragon which is great, but too expensive today). 

I know it's the same transport in RX-505, don't know what's the difference between Nak 505 and 505E ? 

Purchased some sealed NOS Maxell XLII 90 and 100 min for about $5 each last week, it was an impulse, haha  

Some metal position tapes are very expensive on ebay (sometimes $50-100 each). 

Those open reel TEAK tapes goes for crazy prices just because it looks cool ? 

If someone could help me with decent cassette tapes please drop below model numbers and brands. 

P.S. No, I don't use digital, strictly vinyl, but I want cassette tapes and Nakamichi RX-505 for fun. 

 


128x128chakster
bimasta's avatar
bimasta
227 posts
 
I stopped using cassettes 20 years ago... just after I got a new Nak RX-505. I used it once, showing it off to friends — they all dutifully said "Wow!" when it did its back-flip, then we made a tape from a CD, and a perfect-condition LP of the same music. They all agreed the tape was indistinguishable from the originals – that the LP sounded better than the CD – and that the slight surface noise on the LP was uncannily realistic.

I was almost tempted to start using Tape again, but I haven’t missed it.

The result? I have a shiny new RX-505, with only one hour on it, that I have never used since. Time (and the air in Los Angeles) did its work on the rubber belts, and they need replacing; the old lube hardened, it needs to be cleaned off and renewed. That’s all, at least that I’m aware of.

It’s a shame to have it and not use it. I was thinking of putting in on ebay, as-is, but I need to test it first. Can’t test the transport without belts of course, but at least I can check all the lights, and make sure the motors spin.

Is it safe to switch the Power on after 20 years, without risking caps and chips? Is using a Variac sufficient protection? Any other advice?

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,556 posts
 
Is it safe to switch the Power on after 20 years, without risking caps and chips? Is using a Variac sufficient protection? Any other advice?
Not really. The chips would be OK but capacitors don't like being stored without a charge- they are a bit more forgiving than a battery in this regard. A variac is a good idea but not foolproof. This is because the cab may fail after its had some time to heat up. If you plan to use it, its a good idea to get the parts changed out.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
C’mon @bimasta , you have to sell it to me, not on ebay :))
I like shiny new old stuff, I can even trade for some other NOS stuff
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