Best Vintage Cassette Decks: A buying guide from $100 to $1000

In this video we explore some of the top vintage cassette decks out there. A short buying guide, from low to high budgets ($/€100-1000) to start listening those tapes with quality!

References:

List of decks:
• $100-300
Yamaha KX-300 (1988-1990)
Technics RS-B555 (1989-1990)
Nakamichi BX-125 (1985-1987)

• $300-600
Aiwa AD-F880 (1989-1990)
Pioneer CT-S620 (70’s CTF; 610, 800, 820, 920) (1993-1994)
Nakamichi BX-300 (1984-1987)

• $600-1000
Nakamichi CR-4 (1988-1990)
Pioneer CT-91 Elite (or CT-S910) (1988-1990)
Aiwa XK-007 or XK-009 EXCELIA (1988-1990)

More Ana[dia]log groove here:

#cassettes #cassettedecks #vintagecassette

[simonjones]

I spent 2 years in the late 70’s selling Nakamichi decks, and the two best were the 680ZX, with half-speed recording/playback, and the astonishing 1000ZXL which auto calibrated itself for tape and head alignment. Still have my 670ZX today ❤

[rodmelendez]

Great memories! In the early 80's I remember taking my Pioneer CT-F800 deck, which I knew sounded pretty good, to a Free Cassette Clinic, at one of those "by appointment only" Hi-Fi shops. You get the general idea. You'd bring your gear in and they would test and give you a report of its performance for free. The event was sponsored by Nakamichi and there was quite a crowd present. The suite of test equipment was impressive. Signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and even a graph printer. I got to see how everyone's equipment was put down and criticized by the tech and the store's sales rep. No matter what the measured spec, the Nakamichi was superior in every way, and probably deservedly so. Then it was my turn. Half-way through the test, the tech said to me "you probably really like the way this deck sounds, right?" At the end of the evaluation, he gathered the test printout, tore-off the graph paper from printer and put it all in the fancy jacket with all of the Nakamichi product brochures. He took me to the side handed me the paperwork and said " this is the best deck I've tested tonight. If this was mine, I would use until it burned out and then, BUY A NAKAMICHI! I was grinning all the way

[rainer-mb]

A very good list!
For artists recording their own material and using cassettes I should say the Tascam 122 MK II or MK III. Specially because of +4db inputs (being able to send and receive standart studio line levels) and its outstanding quality as a recording machine.

[alexchiasson]

I had a Yamaha KX-300 & it was amazing! The sound reproduction of a good Chrome Tape, using Dolby C, was incredibly clear! It delayed me getting a CD Player by 5 years...

[jonathansturm]

Those AIWA decks were really nice, too. Much better value for money than the regular brands. The same went for their microphones, too. We used them for a sound reinforcement business I used to work for as a roadie.

[Schlipperschlopper]

I would say (after having most cassette decks) the Sony TC-K 950 ES is the best one, most solid (!) and most reliable 3 head / 3 motor (after replacing some SMD electrolytics and belts). The Nakamichis are overengineered, a Nakamichi Dragon has several of adjustments but cant be adjusted very precisely its more a kind of a "gamestation" for tapeheads. Revox B215 is also very reliable. If you want the Sony TC-K 950 performance for half the price? Get the great but still very affordable Sony TC-K 750ES (same drive with 3 heads and 3 motors like the 950) !

[MrMissingReel]

The Akai GX-75 is one of my favorite let down 👌🏻

[tommcmichael]

About 10 years ago I bought a Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1 because my cassette collection consists of tapes that were originally recorded on probably at least a dozen different decks (ones I used to own, my friends, etc) and not all of those decks were aligned exactly the same. The ability to quickly fine tune the azimuth for each tape has been a HUGE benefit. It's needed no repairs other than a new set of belts.

[analoguecity]

Ah man, I remember being 16 in the mid 80's buying packs of "chrome" and once in a while "metal" cassettes and hold them for a collage radio show that came on Friday and Saturday nights at midnight called "metal shop "! They play heavy metal! I know FM is NOT great quality signal, but back then it was such a joy for me, I miss it!

[rochester]

The best deck is the one that still works. I have a Denon from 1987, no repairs except for a couple belts maybe. It works and sound good!

[WrainTravels]

Picked up a Nakamichi Bx300 a week ago for $400 with the original box/packaging and manuals. Absolutely love it

[tonyt]

Sold the nakamicni "Dragon" while working at Beverly Stereo in L.A. back in the early 90's. Prior to that sold most of the decks mentioned while at the Federated Group and Pacific Stereo. By the way I sold the Dragon to David Ogden Stiers (Winchester on M.A.S.H.).

[jimmyhawke]

The Aiwa AD-F990 is the cassette deck of the decade in my opinion. Same specs as the Nakamichi Dragon at a fraction of the cost. 3 head 2 motor perfection!

[rodrigobravo]

Just for the sake of context about cassette decks my true love is the Yamaha tl800 the wedge. I used to take it for my band practices and the recording still amazed me.
Other decks I have are a Luxman K-100 and a portable Sony WM-D6C top notch all the three of them

[JacobFrey]

Nice list, mate. So happy I picked up a Nakamichi BX 300.

[ppwoodcock]

Great video! Decided to take the plunge on a Dual C808 deck as a restoration project, can't wait to get it next week!

[angelodagnolo]

The AIWA Adf800 is also a beast at recording and playback I still use mine today.

[TTTRGGER]

I love my pioneer CT-M66R 6 cassette changer, it's so awesome just to see in action, I bought it new, seems like it was around $400 love at first sight, it has been through many receivers but still sounds great on my new Cambridge
Great videos

[emmanuelgarrouste]

I have an old Teac C3 from the late 70 which sounds magical!

[mmckiver]

I picked up an AIWA FD-F260 at a thrift store and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the sound quality and condition, even for two heads.