Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: tape decks

  1. #1
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    4

    tape decks

    Hi everyone I have a naim nait 3 and 3.5 cd on spendors and whanting info on nakamichi BX 100 Vs BX 300 as both have come up on trade me all i know is that they were top decks in their day

  2. #2
    Retro Modernist 02audionoob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2,908
    As you might guess by the model numbers, the BX-300 is clearly the superior of the two. Its double capstan and three head design were state of the art. It listed for $750 in the mid 1980's and the BX-100 listed for only $350.

  3. #3
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    I don't know much on the BX series, but the Dragon line was best for all time. Check ebay for one of those.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  4. #4
    Phila combat zone JoeE SP9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    2,710
    As is evident from my sig I'm a Nak lover. The only caveat I have about Nak decks is they use a slightly non-standard Eq curve. The curve gives them response out to 20K. However, tapes made on anything but a Nak will not be Eq'c correctly when played back on a Nak.
    ARC SP9 MKIII, VPI HW19, Rega RB300
    Marcof PPA1, Shure, Sumiko, Ortofon carts, Yamaha DVD-S1800
    Behringer UCA222, Emotiva XDA-2, HiFimeDIY
    Accuphase T101, Teac V-7010, Nak ZX-7. LX-5, Behringer DSP1124P
    Front: Magnepan 1.7, DBX 223SX, 2 modified Dynaco MK3's, 2, 12" DIY TL subs (Pass El-Pipe-O) 2 bridged Crown XLS-402
    Rear/HT: Emotiva UMC200, Acoustat Model 1/SPW-1, Behringer CX2310, 2 Adcom GFA-545

  5. #5
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Yonder
    Posts
    2,886
    I'm not really up on the BX series, but Nakamichi is a well-reputed cassette manufacturer, whose upper echelon decks were among the best available. The epitome of Nakamichi was reached in development of the 1000ZXL, which featured automatic azimuth alignment and many other bells and whistles in addition to being very well constructed. Later, development of the Dragon brought the 1000ZXL within reach of well-heeled consumers who weren't willing to dish out a small fortune or who couldn't find a 1000ZXL. For those not interested in the automatic gizmos and interested in turning knobs, the ZX-9 and ZX-7 were developed, the difference being direct and belt drives and slightly better frequency response. To many, the ZX-9 is the best deck ever made. For more economically minded folks who didn't want to turn knobs, the LX-5 and LX-3 were developed, the difference being the choice between a 3 head and 2 head design. Other models were released over the years, including the well-esteemed CR series, but for the most part they didn't reach the heights as the earlier models.

    In sum, I have no doubt that the BX models are quite good, but am uncertain that they are of the same calibre, construction-wise and reliability-wise as the aforementioned models. With respect to your Naim gear, I would suggest holding out for a late-model Dragon (the earlier models were somewhat erratic performers and some quirks had to be worked out) or one of the ZX or higher priced CR models.

    Also take note of JoeE's comments regarding EQ curves. If you have opportunity to play your tapes on the Nak of your choice, make sure there is some compatibility. They may play well, but a cassette recorded and played back on a well-made Nak is a beauty to behold.

  6. #6
    Forum Regular Kevio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    452
    Is the cassette going to make a nostalgic comeback?

  7. #7
    Retro Modernist 02audionoob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2,908
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevio
    Is the cassette going to make a nostalgic comeback?
    I've been told they sound better than CD.

  8. #8
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,435
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevio
    Is the cassette going to make a nostalgic comeback?
    That would go under the argument of the warm sound of a Cassette vs. the clarity of a well master CD. IMHO CD is tops for me, I'll put a cassette up against most of this new media format stuff you can download.
    HT
    Pioneer Elite SC lx502
    Pioneer Elite N50
    Pioneer Cassette CTM66R
    Pioneer Elite BDP 85FD

    Vizio P series 2160p
    Panamax 5300 EX

  9. #9
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevio
    Is the cassette going to make a nostalgic comeback?

    DEAR GOD...lets hope not!

    The only justification for cassette was to be played in a car, and recording your LP'S
    so you didnt have to get them out so much.
    Even the best never sounded normal, not surprizing considering it was intended
    as a low res dictation format and only extreme overengineering made them any good
    at all.
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  10. #10
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Yonder
    Posts
    2,886
    While the cassette's debut was pedestrian, this did not anticipate the large strides in the format that companies like Nak made. Attribute it to overengineering or whatever you like, the folks at Nakamichi took the format to incredible fidelity. I'd keep on using it today if it had more storage capacity and was more compact.

  11. #11
    Retro Modernist 02audionoob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2,908
    Sony also produced some great cassette decks. I had a TC-K909ES until very recently. I had not ever heard a better deck...although I never heard a Dragon. Then one day I was selling an old Nak on Craigslist and ran across someone who really wanted the Sony...so it was gone.

  12. #12
    Forum Regular Kevio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    452
    I agree with Pix.

  13. #13
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Yonder
    Posts
    2,886
    I'm waiting for the wax cylinder revival!
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    "The great tragedy of science--the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact."--T. Huxley

  14. #14
    Phila combat zone JoeE SP9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    2,710
    Auric:
    A copy of a CD made on my ZX-7 with metal tape and Dolby C blows away any MP3 file I've ever heard. You are right about the ZX-9. Those who have them keep them.
    ARC SP9 MKIII, VPI HW19, Rega RB300
    Marcof PPA1, Shure, Sumiko, Ortofon carts, Yamaha DVD-S1800
    Behringer UCA222, Emotiva XDA-2, HiFimeDIY
    Accuphase T101, Teac V-7010, Nak ZX-7. LX-5, Behringer DSP1124P
    Front: Magnepan 1.7, DBX 223SX, 2 modified Dynaco MK3's, 2, 12" DIY TL subs (Pass El-Pipe-O) 2 bridged Crown XLS-402
    Rear/HT: Emotiva UMC200, Acoustat Model 1/SPW-1, Behringer CX2310, 2 Adcom GFA-545

  15. #15
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Yonder
    Posts
    2,886
    I agree; I owned a nice LX-5 for a number of years. The tapes (TDK SA-X and HS-X) were virtually indistinguishable from the original CD's or those tapes from a friend's ZX-7. Of course they were given some muscle with a dbx 3bx, but still....

  16. #16
    Forum Regular Kevio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    452
    Can you still buy decent cassette tapes? I know your choices are extremely limited for professional reel-to-reel tape.

  17. #17
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    4
    thanks guys for the info think i will wait untill i see the zx series for sale,am i correct in thinking that the zx9 is the one to go for

  18. #18
    Sure, sure... Auricauricle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Yonder
    Posts
    2,886
    The ZX-9 is considered by many Nak fans as their best, although the ZX-7 is a similar unit and is, in many respects, every bit as good. Don't be shy of some other brands, like Tandberg, Teac and Revox, which also made very good tape decks in "the day"....
    "The great tragedy of science--the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact."--T. Huxley

  19. #19
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    4
    how dose the revox stack up against the nak the model i am looking at is B215

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •