Should You Buy a Vintage Cassette Deck? Or Any Cassette Deck?

I don't recommend cassette tape decks unless you have irreplaceable music on cassette tape. I explain the reasons why.

[summersky]

Listening to your story, I'm quite convinced you used the bottom of the barrel decks and tapes. I never had the issues you and so many others talk or even exaggerate about. The only decks that ever ate any of my tapes were always car decks...on either very hot or very cold days. A decent name-brand Type II tape paired with a Nak/Denon/JVC or similar deck, S/N ratios can exceed that of most vinyl along with a frequency response that can exceed exceed 20kHz, though that's rare in any scenario.
I use Dolby all the time. I've ONLY ever had tracking issues with pre-recorded cassettes. Most Dolby tapes I've made have decoded properly on all my other players, including my EX Walkmans. With Dolby C-Type, a valid argument can be made. It's finicky and has a very low tracking error tolerance. Most of my tapes I play, people can't ever tell it's tape until I tell them. That's how transparent any format should be. Oddly, records always sound like records...and they shouldn't. They should sound like the source.
The beauty of cassettes are, the format is as good or as bad as you want it to be, depending on your time, ignorance level, and dollars spent. Lots of 40+ year old undamaged tape out there that sound just as good as the day they were recorded. Can you ever say that about vinyl? Not really...at least, not often. I've had pretty decent luck with cassettes. Like any analog physical format, you're going to have those 'moments.' But overall, it's a robust format that has stood the test of time fairly well so far. :)

[EddieJazzFan]

I've used cassette decks for a long time and never had an eaten tape--you just gotta keep that pinch roller clean. I think it's all about choosing the right vintage deck. A NAD vintage deck is impossible to service with glued sections that can't be separated. A nightmare. A low end Nakamichi BX-100 usually only needs a $5 rubber idler wheel that takes 20 minutes to replace.

[Carlo]

Interesting. I have reconditioned about five cassette decks of decent quality. I don't use Dolby. To my aging ears, they sound great! Actually I get more irritated with the Snap, crackle and pop of most vinyl records than well recorded music on quality tape.

[hanksta]

Loved the alcohol-fueled rant. Laughed so hard!! One must drink every time someone says "cassette" or "tape" 📼"Dolby fucking sucks!"

[Daniel-]

This is one instance when I tend to shy away from silver face stereo equipment. The mid to late 80s tape decks were so much better at producing and recording high quality audio. At this point, almost all tape decks need belts. I tend to hang on to decks that are easy to service and have great features.

[jake]

Hey Crank up the volume so everyone can here the tape hiss on a youtube video why don't you!! Prerecorded cassette tapes from the 1980’s are pretty darn good. Particularly after cd’s came on the market. Blank tapes from that era still hold up well. I never use Dolby and I don’t mind hiss because I can’t hear it with my tinnitus. Decks have lots of moving parts and the cassettes do as well and will some day fail. I still listen to 40 year old + tapes I recorded and they are just fine. My Teac deck is over 25 yrs old and works great!

[waddg]

I could not live without my vintage audio equipment. 🤘

[MichaelRusso]

I have that same old Pioneer tape deck I bought new back in the day.

[NoosaHeads]

Nakamichi Tri-Tracer 1000. Generally better than most high end reel to reel decks, with no audible hiss.

[anastasiaserwaczek]

Happy to see you imbibe an intoxicating drink, before explaining about cassette decks. My quick answer is YES. I have used cassette decks to tape many wonderful informative & interesting CBC radio shows thru the years, using a timer when I couldn't listen to the broadcast the first time. So, here's a toast to cassette decks past & still present@🎉😊 from 🇨🇦

[septembersurprise]

Great video, Thanks. My cassette journey started the late 70's with the purchase of an Pioneer CT - F700, which I still have. It hasn't been used in 25+ years, but recent videos, including this video, have convinced me to seek any necessary repairs. Why? Because it is a thing of beauty, and fond memories. The beauty part, solid brushed aluminium front panel, the switches and knobs, lovely, while adding tactile enjoyment, and the three count em three V.U. meters dancing away. Makes me smile just thinking about it. The fond memories part, a local F.M. station would regularly broadcast new album releases, with a que up, without commercials or any other interruption until the album needed turning, short break, then the other half of the album, again without interruption. Many happy hours listening and being with Family and Friends.
Just an aside here, but the alcohol recommended for cleaning purposes was, I believe denatured, not Scotch.
"Never refuse to do a kindness unless the act would work great injury to yourself, and never refuse to take a drink-- under any circumstances."
- Mark Twain

[Gili]

I own Pioneer CT-F9191for 14 years, Changed belts, some idler tires clean the heads-working perfect, sounds great with chrome tapes.
I also own Yamaha Kx-392 double cassette deck which I bought new in 1999, working great and never serviced just clean the heads once in a wile.
Also own a Sony tc-134sd this one is ok...complicated to maintain....
Have about 500 cassettes....
Love the media.

[jamescross]

I’m so glad I found you. It’s so nice so nice listen to self effacing humer along with tech knowledge to make your points. Do what you must with your equipment, but don’t loose your mind and listeners at the expense of end product. You’re a joy to watch and listen to.

[michaelduffee]

I, too, have a few tapes from the 1980s and 90s that are only available in that format. I keep them around and occasionally listen to them out of nostalgia. My 35 year old cassette deck has most of the issues that you described and was terminal. I picked up a well maintained Rotel cassette deck on Craigslist list for $80. It actually sounds good. I'm happy enough with that option.

[rickymetzenbomb]

OMG the memories, that is what makes me want a tape deck.

[edwardallan]

I remember it all like yesterday.... got about 40 cassettes I really this gave me flashbacks, I walk in your shoes, ❤

[michaeldickson]

I have a pioneer CT-F 9191 that needs some service and so far it has been great

[vinsgarde]

😂😂❤ you sounded so honest yet funny with sips of liquor between the recollection of despair moments 😂😅

[amitanaudiophile]

All of your confessions are correct faced same issues..

[outfield]

Sadly you’re right. I am 60 so I grew up playing cassettes and I loved them. I bought a Sanyo RD 5035 and brought it back to life with cleaning and belts.