So I gained a few pounds and that lost love!

All cables in all locations make a difference, old decks notwithstanding. 

Another one, believe it or not, I have actual experience with!

When I first discovered BDR Cones the effect was so amazing I started carrying them around trying them everywhere. Including to a party where the stereo was even less than expected- plastic tape/CD/receiver amp with hair thin wire going to equally crappy speakers. But my friend was up for it so first we positioned the speakers on the trunk coffee table (are you getting the picture?) sat three feet away on the sofa, and played a CD. Then with the Cones and were both amazed to easily hear the difference. In this case the $60 set of cones was probably three times the cost of the "system"!

Okay so not once not twice but several times since then I have used interconnects and power cords on dirt cheap budget gear, just to see exactly what you asked- is it worth it? And I have to say I don't know if its worth it to you, but I do know you will definitely, easily, notice the same improvement as with anything else. It is not at all like you can only hear the interconnect if the speakers are good enough. Or the amp, or the source. Nope. Sorry. Does not work that way. I once put a $1200 interconnect into a $1200 system, was astounded at the improvement.

Look at it this way. You just bought a $8 sport coat. Are you gonna wear it only with a $4 T-shirt? Or is it gonna actually look pretty good with a decent pair of slacks and some nice shoes?Nuff said.

Or does an expensive pair of shoes and slacks change the fact it is a $8 sport coat? 


Do you really think $200 of cables is an appropriate way to upgrade a $13 tape deck of middling quality? If you want people to tell you it is, this would be the place for that. If you want someone to say that in no world is the cable the weak link ....

It was not always a $8 sport coat. At one time it was probably a $400 sport coat and it very likely retains the qualities of the $400 sport coat.

The suggestion, if a cable is the item of choice... is to consider a used cable for the used deck. At a price range that might be more appropriate for the scale of possible improvements at hand. Who knows.

The big problem is that used old decks, unless evaluated and serviced... can fail at any time, due to old belts, parts and whatnot.

And that $13 tape deck was once a $200 tape deck, and those $200 speakers were once state of the art $1200-$1500 speakers. A $200 cable is not going to turn a discarded Sony into a Nakamichi, and the simple act of buying those speakers isn't going to imbue them with 30 years of technical advances no matter how many people like their colorations.

Why polish that t*rd with Hermes silk when you can use a paper towel?

Watch out, Millercarbon is back to shilling snake oil!

No, expensive cables on an '80's era cassette do not make sense.  Especially if this is one of those dual-deck Dolby C abominations.  Let the dogs lie.

@millercarbon is just BSing you about cables on the cassette deck, but he might have some magic cones for sale.

Thank you for all the wisdom. I will just enjoy it for what it is at this time.  Does it sound as good as other sources through the system? Not even close. Do some of the tapes sound decent? Yes. I'll just be content that I can actually listen to them when I want to now rather than sitting in shoe boxes in my closet for the last 15 years. 

Actually just read Millercarbons post again and it gave me an idea. Pull upgraded RCA cable off one of the other components and give it a whirl. Cost nothing to try. Not sure why I didn't do this already. Duh!

You are aware I hope that dozens (hundreds?) of Dead shows can be streamed on Tidal?  Their provenance is often actual mixing board recording transfers to full 16/44 digital files. Never accept the 1 7/8 ips 1/8” flangy fluttery pumping and breathing abomination that was the cassette...when far better options are so readily available!