Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: gdv on November 26, 2013, 10:52:51 AM
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Well... I'm finally down to six mid-fi cassette decks... I need/want to get down to three... Which would you keep?
In alphabetical order:
*Denon DRW-750A
Pioneer CT-W600R
*Sony KA1ES
Sony TC-W490
Technics M45
*Yamaha MT44 (4 track capable)
A number of years ago I got rid of my Nak CR-7A, I regret that one! :(
I'm leaning toward the ones with the (*). NOT looking to buy any more!!!
thanks...
George
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If I could pick one from the list it would be the Sony ES. I mean... definitely get rid of the Sony KA1ES, it's junk. I'd be happy to dispose of it for you.
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I pick the Nakamichi CR-7A ;)
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Of those six, I would tend to agree with the three you put asterisks on.
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I would recommend a sleeper great deck like the JVC TS-V621 - great sound and features, 3 heads. The Sony ES you point out may also be a good choice - have you listened to one? It has Dolby S, which hints at the quality of the platform, and it is a 3 head.
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TD-V621?
JVC made a lot of great sleeper products. I consider my QL-A7 table to be one of them.
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Sorry - typo there. Yes that is the model number. It competes well with the other high end Naks I have used. I am keeping it for a bit longer. I have two permanent decks and that is one of them. The Carver 1700 is the other one. The Carver sounds a tad warmer but is less stable speed-wise.
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Any of you tape deck guys know much about the Yamaha KX-670. How does it rate with the high end decks? Just curious.
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I've never heard one, but with C and HX, dual capstans and three motors, it passes the "bells and whistles" test. I'd bet it sounds excellent.
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Agree. That sounds like a great deck. Three heads and external azimuth adjustment via playtrim knob (if you followed that whole conversation with slim about his autorevers deck and adjusting azi, this deck you mention allows you to do it from the front panel (well, within a range), like a nak dragon. I am adding it to my bucket list. >:D
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External azimuth adjustment?? Yes, please!
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Not a bad price, but I'd still look for a deck with no auto reverse. It is almost always problematic. Dual capstan drive if not properly adjusted (new belts etc.) Is not necessarily compatible with all tape types. Just some things to think about.
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I should that I have two awesome 3 head decks with closed loop dual capstans and they have always performed flawlessly. Interestingly my best and most expensive cassette deck is my TASCAM 122mkII which is single capstan and sounds awesome. I would still not consider auto reverse
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I've never heard one, but with C and HX, dual capstans and three motors, it passes the "bells and whistles" test. I'd bet it sounds excellent.
I got it right at the end of my tape deck days and soon after got a Carver 490t cdp and the deck probly doesnt have 50hrs on it. Might just need to put it in the system and have a little fun!
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Better pic
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I have a JVC TD V 541 I am willing to part with. Dual capstan, three head, dolby B,C with HX pro. Front panel bias adjustment knob. Cosmetically, it's spotless and has only two roughly one inch long scratches along the rear of the top panel. New motor caps installed at the shop. $40.00
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I will take it, assuming it i in working order. Thanks!
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^^^ Hoarder
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Everything does what is supposed to do. Will you be in the North Hills anytime soon?
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I can arrange to be - what day works best for you? I am a on vac for the next two weeks so any time works for me. Maybe I can finally hear what Mcinstosh stuff sounds like!
Pepe
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This deck is supposed to go down below 20hz on the bass - I will record a test tone and put the M&K sub to work :P.
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Pepe,
Tuesday morning is great. Nancy is at work until lunch and we can crank it up.
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Sounds good - reming me Monday in case the attention deficit kicks in. Look forward to it.
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Will do (if I also remember). Any time after 9:00 AM; gotta be done by noon.
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K:
Installed the JVC 541 - sounds good. I want to compare it recording against a Nak MR-1 or BX-300, as that is roughly apples to apples in the lineup. Tell you in advance - the Naks win 95% on the time. But this one may have an edge. Part of the fun in this crazy hobby is running the experiments. I read the JVC likes TDK SA so will feed it that to help it out. O0
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With three heads and adjustable bias shouldn't it like whatever you put in it?
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It may not match a Nak, but it was 1/2 the price when new and considerably less used. With your test tapes, maybe a tweak or two to the bias adjustments will help too.
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@Mark ;D it likes tdk sa with the bias know set at center pt. But yes, it should be able to handle any tapes if biased.
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I hardly even come across sealed TDK Type II for some reason. D90 all the time. Maxell XLII with some frequency, but I can't recall finding any sealed SA or SA-X.