Cassette decks. How good can it get?


I know some guys are going to just want to say a bunch of negative stuff about tape decks and tell me how bad they sound.  There is a lot of music that comes out on tape only (you usually get download too) so I have been acquiring quite a stack of cassettes.  I have a couple of Nakamichi decks BX100 and BX300. The 300 is not working and was thinking of trying to repair.  I am wondering how good of sound you can get out of cassette?  Has anyone taken the leap up to something like the much more expensive Nakamichis or other brands even.  I enjoy the sound. Mainly it's the background noise more than anything but even that is somewhat tolerable.  

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My Aiwa AdF770 3 head cassette deck with Dolby B, C, Hx Pro, micro grain dual capstan, blah blah blah...makes copies that are nearly indistinguishable from the original source. No joke (as Biden would say).

Aiwa made some fantastic decks in the early 80's, ahead of their time. The one above mine, the f990, rivaled the best Nakamichi decks. I have owned mine since New in 1983. I use it often, I love it. 

Reconditioned Nak 1000 or Dragon.  I owned a 1000 for a number of years; thoroughly enjoyable and fun to use.

So, where does 8-track fit? 😊

 

 

maxwellseq

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So, of all the popular domestic sources, cassette is the worst. And it's bad in so many ways.

I am a fan of the better 2 head single capstan machines like the MR2.  The dual capstan models tapes sound great played back on the same machine, but not so good on others due to the inability to duplicate the alignment imposed by the Nak mechanics. I had an LX3 and its tapes could not be enjoyed on other decks. Never had that problem with the “lesser” models.