Nakamichi RX-505 and some nice tapes for it
I'm late to the game, so what happened to this shiny new RX-505??? |
Is it safe to switch the Power on after 20 years, without risking caps and chips? Is using a Variac sufficient protection? Any other advice?Not really. The chips would be OK but capacitors don't like being stored without a charge- they are a bit more forgiving than a battery in this regard. A variac is a good idea but not foolproof. This is because the cab may fail after its had some time to heat up. If you plan to use it, its a good idea to get the parts changed out. |
I stopped using cassettes 20 years ago... just after I got a new Nak RX-505. I used it once, showing it off to friends — they all dutifully said "Wow!" when it did its back-flip, then we made a tape from a CD, and a perfect-condition LP of the same music. They all agreed the tape was indistinguishable from the originals – that the LP sounded better than the CD – and that the slight surface noise on the LP was uncannily realistic. I was almost tempted to start using Tape again, but I haven’t missed it. The result? I have a shiny new RX-505, with only one hour on it, that I have never used since. Time (and the air in Los Angeles) did its work on the rubber belts, and they need replacing; the old lube hardened, it needs to be cleaned off and renewed. That’s all, at least that I’m aware of. It’s a shame to have it and not use it. I was thinking of putting in on ebay, as-is, but I need to test it first. Can’t test the transport without belts of course, but at least I can check all the lights, and make sure the motors spin. Is it safe to switch the Power on after 20 years, without risking caps and chips? Is using a Variac sufficient protection? Any other advice? |
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why do you look at these things ? I mean, heads for Nak decks. You have Studers, that's real tape machines.I put myself through engineering and technical school working on consumer electronics. So I've worked on plenty of cassette machines including Naks. I worked on a 700 recently for a friend and it had exactly that bad recording head problem. For my own self, there's no way I'd buy a 3-head machine because replacement record heads can be very rare and expensive, regardless of the brand. OTOH you can find good heads for 2-head machines with ease. Nak made a number of 2-head machines that were quite nice. Not saying they sound the best but the differences are slight; if you want the best Nak, just be aware that the record head can be a problem! |
I would need a pro grade outboard Dolby S unit to experiment with it. I don't think I would want to go in this direction.@inna I don't blame you and I wouldn't either! Plus IIRC most outboard units are actually Dolby SR, which are meant for reel to reel. I know Pioneer made some great (and expensive: +$1000 when new) Dolby S machines but beyond that I didn't keep track of them. ZX-9 should be better than 682ZX in terms of dynamics and resolution but 682ZX is a forever classic Nak.One thing to look out for with any of the Nak 3-head machines is to make sure they record in *both* channels prior to purchase! The Nak record heads tend to fail leaving one channel out in record mode. They are rare and expensive- I've seen them for over $700 on ebay. |
chakster, again just a thought. Decks with reverse, like RX-505 and Dragon, might be less reliable and more expensive to service. So if you want ’cool’ stuff then yeah, but if you want better and more reliable deck then it is among those that I mentioned. They are not quite equal and there are those with automatic and those with manual calibration. It is more a matter of taste. Personally, I don’t care. 682ZX is better than 680ZX. 682ZX and ZX-7 ?.. I don’t know, I heard two opinions : one is that they are equal and another is that 682ZX does have an edge. ZX-9 should be better than 682ZX in terms of dynamics and resolution but 682ZX is a forever classic Nak. |
Yes, he made a mistake, I never mentioned TD700 or I would've responded. Regarding deck servicing, I would think that there should be some very qualified people in Germany and other European countries, though I don't know anyone, it is just a thought. Willy Hermann's service is in a very high demand. chakster, I of course record without any Dolby. More noise but much more music too. |
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Fast forward and rewind your MA-XG before recording. Also, try to record a few minutes of something with clear high frequencies. If the sound is muffled the tape might've been magnetized. May not be a problem. Record once and then record again, it may sound as it should the second time. I had it with sealed tapes once or twice. 100 minutes tapes are not reliable because they are very thin. Buy only 90 minutes or shorter cassettes unless you just need 50 minutes each side. 90 minutes cassettes usually have a little more time than 45 minutes per side, often 46-47 minutes, which might be very helpful. And 60 minutes are also more than double 30 minutes. |
Nice, there are 60min NORMAL position for about $5 each, this is what I paid for NOS 90-100 min Maxell XL-II. It's amazing how many cassettes available NOS. I wish Maxell and TDK return. |
ATR Magnetics is a USA company making new tape. They make cassettes: https://www.atrtape.com/#cassette-tape |
Cassette madness continues, acquired my first TDK MA-XG today! What a beauty!? |
Oops, it was quick and only for $850 |
chakster, in your location i would check for one of the top Sony's also. 777es, 7es, 990es (555es), all fine quiet mechanisms, full calibration, auto functions, durable heads but no reverse and no red displays. Metal Master was the best metal tape manufactured but rather expensive and heavy and came in metal box. I regret selling my 990es back in the late 90's. |
Well, twenty years ago I bought my Nak for about $450 in near new condition. It should cost two-three times more now. That would be fair price. There are fewer of them and more people become interested. RX-500 in excellent condition should probably be around $1k or so. I tried Sony top tape years ago and was not impressed. Might be different with some other decks. I tried everything, including top Denon and couple of others. With my deck Maxell Vertex is untouchable. By far. |
Thanks @inna Those “recording” Nakamichi decks are more expensive and doesn’t have a “wow” design factor :( Recarding tapes it’s interesting, there are Sony Metal Master white ceramic type IV reference tapes, it must be good too? I’m buying cassette tapes now, then I hope to find a perfect Nak RX-505 for a fair price. If anyone can help please message me on audiogon. Probably I’m crazy if I’m thinking about cassette deck in 2021 :)) But some sellers are even more crazy than me asking insane prices for Nakamichi decks. Looking at the old posts from 2005-2010 on various forums I see some nice prices for Nakamichi, even for Dragon :)) |
Oh, forgot to mention interconnect cables. They are very important both for the recording and the reproduction. I currently use Wywires Diamond for both. Step down for me would be Purist Neptune. Wywires Platinum is excellent too, better for reproduction than recording in my system. Purist is equal for both, maybe very slightly better for the recording. They say vintage analogue sources are less particular about cables. Yes and no. If you want the best sound there is no way around it. |
A few considerations when recording. Take the signal directly off the phono stage. Usually there is more than enough gain. Turn the volume of the system way down - you want as little external vibration as possible. Isolate deck with some cones or pads or whatever, just as you isolate turntable. What works with table should work with deck too in my experience. Clean the heads, the tape path and pinch rollers, of course. 99% alcohol is too aggressive for pinch rollers but fine for the heads and tape path. I would take 75% for rollers. Well, I use 99% for everything but I have some experience with how to apply it without dissolving the rollers. I clean everything before each recording and after 10-15 hours of play. I also use LAST Factory tape head preservative and apply it before playing each cassette. It takes only a few seconds and it works great. I have thousands upon thousands of hours of play on my 682ZX and there is virtually no head wear. Confirmed by Willy. I really like tape. Actually thinking of getting reel to reel deck in a few years. Studer is too expensive for me. I'll get Otari two track. Otari will also play four track tapes. |
chakster, I have a small quantity of sealed Vertex tapes that I bought years ago for about $50 a piece. Still a lot. I never tried Teac cassettes. I do prefer, generally speaking, Maxell to TDK, though as I mentioned TDK MA-R and MA-XG are excellent, newest green case MA-XG sounds best with my deck, which is not calibrated for particular tape formulation. Yes, all decks that I recommended have calibration. It is important if you want the very best recordings. RX-505 is a good deck. I send my deck to Willy Hermann every 3-4 years for service. If nothing is broken it doesn't cost much - about $350 or so plus shipping both ways, But the first time, which was years ago, when I sent it to him it was something like $650 plus shipping, but he did partial overhaul. As a new client you would have to wait for months before he has time to work on your deck, at least it was last year when I asked him. This doesn't apply to old clients. |
After all these years, I'm actually thinking about selling my Nakamichi RX-505. It was serviced a few years ago by Willy Hermann. It will go with a couple hundred 60's and 70's commercially-made cassettes. I have always loved the cassette format but just don't find the time to enjoy it like I have in the past. I still have five CD/DVD players and have recently acquired a higher end turntable. I simply can't find the time to do justice to all the available formats. After I finally sell it, I'm sure I'll regret it. |
Top level is Maxell Metal Vertex, that is what I use exclusively. Wow, this one goes for over $100 each @inna What do you think about those beautiful TEAK OPEN REEL CASSETTE ? RX-550 is not really a recording deck. You would do better with 680ZX, 682ZX, ZX-7 and ZX-9. All of those have classic Nakamichi sound. Because the lack of calibration? |
