I have this cassette recorder:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_stereo_cassette_deck_tc_1.html
It is heavy, full metal, no plastics. It has a ferrite head, no wear. Heavy flywheel, low flutter. And it has a soft limiter that is useful for live recording. Large analog VU meters, al in all it was a perfect choice for me.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_stereo_cassette_deck_tc_1.html
It is heavy, full metal, no plastics. It has a ferrite head, no wear. Heavy flywheel, low flutter. And it has a soft limiter that is useful for live recording. Large analog VU meters, al in all it was a perfect choice for me.
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The primary problem with all vintage cassette machines are the belts which get hard and break. This is not an easy fix in many cases, but not the real problem: There are rubber wheels that also get hard over time. You have to take apart the whole, highly complicated drive, just to get them out. Other than a belt, these are not that universal, but very special parts. Before you spend money on a deck, look for new build parts.
NOS if available, will be just as hard as the one you got inside your repair object. So quite some problem.
I got an as new (you see no use at the heads) dual capstan, three motor, computer bias adjust, deck from ONKYO. No chance to get parts.
NOS if available, will be just as hard as the one you got inside your repair object. So quite some problem.
I got an as new (you see no use at the heads) dual capstan, three motor, computer bias adjust, deck from ONKYO. No chance to get parts.
I bought an Onkyo TA630D as part of a complete Onkyo 'stereo system' and most of the belts had turned into a tarry mess. I have since read of a few people with various Onkyos from this era (late 1970's) that had this problem. While it is not a deal breaker it was extremely difficult to clean up. That said, I just bought a generic belt set (large with many belts) and managed to get it running really well even though it has six belts of largely varying types.
Same as the one in this Youtube:
Same as the one in this Youtube:
I went through a lot of cassette decks in the last 6 - 7 years, mostly because I was fascinated by the way they operate. Sound was a secondary concern, but slowly that factor filtered out the good from the bad.
I had Sony, Teac, Pioneer, Philips, Yamaha, Technics, Rotel, Aiwa, Marantz, mostly middle of the road decks, some modern, some vintage.
Yamaha and Philips had Sendust heads, some of the Sony and Aiwa ones were 3-head units.
Sound wise Sony, Aiwa and Rotel were the best, followed by Yamaha.
If you want the best go for a Revox, or Aiwa, beats the Naks every time, but are pricey.
If you can find Dual grab it, some of the best decks ever.
Most common faults - belts, rubber capstan tyres, dirty heads, dirty capstans, dirty pulleys, very rarely electronics.
Buy a speed test tape, available on ePay from a guy in one of the Baltic states.
I had Sony, Teac, Pioneer, Philips, Yamaha, Technics, Rotel, Aiwa, Marantz, mostly middle of the road decks, some modern, some vintage.
Yamaha and Philips had Sendust heads, some of the Sony and Aiwa ones were 3-head units.
Sound wise Sony, Aiwa and Rotel were the best, followed by Yamaha.
If you want the best go for a Revox, or Aiwa, beats the Naks every time, but are pricey.
If you can find Dual grab it, some of the best decks ever.
Most common faults - belts, rubber capstan tyres, dirty heads, dirty capstans, dirty pulleys, very rarely electronics.
Buy a speed test tape, available on ePay from a guy in one of the Baltic states.
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Big name is not everything. I have a Marantz FM tuner and a CD player, I like both of them. When I found a bargain Marantz cassette recorder, I did not hesitate to buy it. I liked its touch controls and its look very much. I played with it for about a week, then I quickly sold it. I preferred (of another less expensive deck's) sound over appearance and comfort.
I wonder, no one referring to capstan bearing bush.
I think that is an unrepaired fault if a new replacement part isn't available,or if capstan bearing is fixed to chassis.
I have done this work in the past repairing car radio- cassette players.Not an easy repair!
I think that is an unrepaired fault if a new replacement part isn't available,or if capstan bearing is fixed to chassis.
I have done this work in the past repairing car radio- cassette players.Not an easy repair!
I hadn't even thought of that, but in my case I bought the Onkyo from a friend who was selling the components as part of a relative's deceased estate and it was known that the deck had minimal use.
Stanislav, would you mind telling the name of the sellers eBay shop, or even better dig up the link to him that would be very appreciable and kind of you.
I started my own thread here and have found two recommended sources of test and calibration tapes which are posted under aforementioned link.
Thule,
I think it's this one, it's been a long time since I bought it, used a few times and then sold it as I got rid of all my decks:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132807400379?itmmeta=01J39NTQABCKSMRAH2GEX78791&hash=item1eebf01bbb:g:trAAAOSw5ZBWIidw&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8C1mPuEZ4sOJb0XmCuKP8TlbglcU9ASUQxPzJORU3PVtTXCNj2FTgBPD9FFRefLmHaquW6SzANZ5VsGRNGJgaEZo74jG7mVL0ZZ4V9MZU+ml8tW4Pwimpmbzb0RXeTahNj1RhCXsMiYxG9VKSA5FffFZ0U5GckGRZvjbaz/By5Ed2Rm6CRnyp1lI4QF8N8R5PaVEe+Jn8Qflt1aLs--HklV4zcBdzAeeQKQBoDXuP0zGrg4XlJQQF0iOO4EKxSKY+QxkOj7UwgJM7QusNmlDPO1S16+gnijIqy7v+BtARqjpHr7auj4IPw/4yQQYGie1Eg==|tkp:Bk9SR6L16rWaZA
It's actually from Slovakia, not the Baltics.
I think it's this one, it's been a long time since I bought it, used a few times and then sold it as I got rid of all my decks:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132807400379?itmmeta=01J39NTQABCKSMRAH2GEX78791&hash=item1eebf01bbb:g:trAAAOSw5ZBWIidw&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8C1mPuEZ4sOJb0XmCuKP8TlbglcU9ASUQxPzJORU3PVtTXCNj2FTgBPD9FFRefLmHaquW6SzANZ5VsGRNGJgaEZo74jG7mVL0ZZ4V9MZU+ml8tW4Pwimpmbzb0RXeTahNj1RhCXsMiYxG9VKSA5FffFZ0U5GckGRZvjbaz/By5Ed2Rm6CRnyp1lI4QF8N8R5PaVEe+Jn8Qflt1aLs--HklV4zcBdzAeeQKQBoDXuP0zGrg4XlJQQF0iOO4EKxSKY+QxkOj7UwgJM7QusNmlDPO1S16+gnijIqy7v+BtARqjpHr7auj4IPw/4yQQYGie1Eg==|tkp:Bk9SR6L16rWaZA
It's actually from Slovakia, not the Baltics.
If you knew how many cassette decks I threw away, in some 'mad clearing-out frenzy' it would make you cry.
Perhaps one of the most silly throw-outs was an Optinica with 1 to 10 automatic track selection.
I once owned a Nakamichi 1000. I didn't throw it out > but I should have kept it 🙁
( and the amount of decently recorded cassette albums I threw away would make you bleed )
Perhaps one of the most silly throw-outs was an Optinica with 1 to 10 automatic track selection.
I once owned a Nakamichi 1000. I didn't throw it out > but I should have kept it 🙁
( and the amount of decently recorded cassette albums I threw away would make you bleed )
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