chosing a cassette deck

The Tandberg 3014 is a fine unit, as mentioned by Blueranger. I've been using a Studer A710 for over 20 years...like a Porsche, it needs some tuning now & then...but it is a FABULOUS machine. Stay away from autoreverse units if u desire purity, IMO.

My Proton AD 430 has been in use off/on for about 15-20 years. It doesn't have auto reverse though.

If you want to get the best get a Tandberg 3014A. Built to last. If you want an autoreverse get something else. But sound quality will be compromised. Like all cassette decks a Tandberg will need some shop time. I got a good one here 4 years ago no lemon. I bought another used one and it was nothing but trouble. I clean and demagnetize after before recording Bulk erase if using a used tape. I set azimith, bias and record current per manual. Then listen. If I hear any difference I adjust and listen again. If I cant get it right with a used tape I junk the tape. Most of the time if I adjust the input to the same volume level of source its the best level then listen carefully.Dont get a cassette deck that auto adjusts anything. What works in the Lab does not always work in the real world every time. Anyway if you want convenience. Get A Nak auto reverse

Only one choice really, NAK... they will break down after 10-15 years, stay away from the CR-3A, the CR-7A is great but expensive to fix, of course there's the Dragon, very pricey also expensive to fix. BX-300 is a great deck and not hard to find or expensive.. all units should have the "gear-drive upgrade" performed or buy the "Cassette Deck 1" from the early 90's with gear drive built-in.
See the naks.com page

I guess I wasn't looking for an expensive tape deck as eventually I will give up on tapes. My main concern was buying a tape deck that was going to stop after playing both sides. Maybe I will pick up a Yamaha or JVC on ebay. If it works maybe I will opt for the same brand slightly better.

thanks for the input.

88

Try a Nakamichi. You wont' be dissapointed. If you need to dub, buy two decks. Auto-reverse was only available on the Dragon I think. There were a few models that actually flippped the tape. The reason behind this was for optimal tape alignment in one direction only.

The best auto-rev. decks are single cassette units. The Nakamichi Dragon is considered the absolute best of these -- primarily because it has automatic head azimuth adjustment. Since the head needs to jump up or down slightly, depending which direction the tape is going, most auto-rev decks don't give the same reproduction as a fixed-head single-direction deck. A properly-adjusted Dragon will however. They're available on Ebay for anywhere from $350 to $1250 depending on condition and accessories (a wired remote is available)

I had a single deck JVC that had a selector allowing you to play one side, both, or continuous. (Just what you want i think.) I'm not sure if their duals had this but it was a nice player. I still have it and use it once and a while.