Are Nakamichi cassette decks worth it?

Nakamichi. Nakamichi arguably makes the best sounding cassette decks you can buy new. However, they are not made as well as they used to be. If you run a Nak hard, like many tape traders will, it is going to be in the repair shop at some point.

Why is the Nakamichi Dragon so good?

The Dragon was the first Nakamichi model with bidirectional replay capability and the world’s first production tape recorder with an automatic azimuth correction system; this feature, which was invented by Philips engineers and improved by Niro Nakamichi, continuously adjusts the azimuth of the replay head to minimize …

How good is the Nakamichi Dragon?

With an 11-year production run that ended in 1993, the Nakamichi Dragon epitomized cassette-deck technology, and to many enthusiasts, it was considered the Holy Grail of what could be accomplished at 1 7/8 i.p.s. A three-head deck with discrete heads for recording, playback and erase, it used Nakamichi’s NAAC auto …

What is the best Nakamichi?

There is no one best for all things. Some people say the Dragon or the CR-7 are the best for play back because of their play head azimuth control. Some people say the ZX-9 or 1000ZXL is the best for recording because of their adjustable record head azimuth control. The pros and cons of each machine are long and varied.

Are cassette decks still made?

As of 2020, Marantz, Teac, and Tascam are among the few companies still manufacturing cassette decks in relatively small quantities for professional and niche market use. By the late 1990s, automobiles were offered with entertainment systems that played both cassettes and CDs.

How long do cassette deck heads last?

In other words, use them less so the heads last longer. I’ve heard that Permalloy heads last for 1000 to 2000 hours, while Sendust, Ferrite and Amorphous Glass heads last for up to 4000 hours.

How long do cassette decks last?

When properly cared for, your audio cassette tapes have a lifespan of 30 years. However, many factors can shorten that lifespan considerably. By this time, you’ve probably done the math. It has been almost 40 years which means your cassette tapes could be at risk!

Why are cassette tapes coming back?

It’s literally in the name. They only cost about $1.50 to produce, making them a really strong option for labels and artists. They’re also great for the consumer, because you can pick up a new cassette tape for about $10 instead of the $25 it costs for vinyl. Or the $15 it costs for CDs.

Is cassette coming back?

Cassette tapes are back, baby. Sales of the retro recordings have skyrocketed over the past few years. Since 2017, the number of cassette tapes sold in the U.S. has been increasing by double-digit percentages every year (33 percent from 2019 to 2020).