@uberwaltz Looks like we are the only Audiophool who play with cassette tapes bkeske.
Oh and GK I guess.. They don’t know what they are missing Uber. After I start playing cassettes, I don’t want to stop for a while. Different than vinyl, but darn good, and dare I say sometimes better. And always better than a CD to me, although I’m far from a CD ‘hater’. I saw you just got a cassette haul. 👍🏼 |
It is my second preference for medium.
And it even has some advantage over vinyl.
Last night I fell asleep with tape playing, no harm no foul as shuts off at end.
You just never know what damage you might do to a stylus in same situation.
And my fully factory spec restored Nakamichi ZX-7 is probably going to give me best replay I am ever likely to get on cassette tape. |
And my fully factory spec restored Nakamichi ZX-7 is probably going to give me best replay I am ever likely to get on cassette tape. @uberwaltz I picked up an inexpensive cleaned-up but unrestored Nakamichi CR-1A, which is only 2 head, (but understand they are typically better than most 3 head non-Naks out there), deck. Did that at the same time I dragged my old vinyl and cassettes out of hibernation. Goodness knows where my old Akai deck went. Anyway, as vinyl, was just ‘checking things out’ and seeing if these old formats would stick. And they are. I’m now actually buying cassettes on Discogs as well and vinyl. And now have my eyes peeled for a nicer Nak deck, as the CR-1A was pretty cheap, so wouldn’t lose much, and could probably sell it for what I paid. Or, at least have it restored, but not sure how smart that would be vs cost/worth. |
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - A Night in Tunisia. Blue Note, reissue/remaster 1989
Cassette |
As far as Nak tape deck restorations go, Willy Herman is the man to go to, unfortunately he also has a 12 month wait list, thats why he is the master!
Now it really does not cost much less to have a lesser Nak deck restored than a top flight one so financially it probably does not make too much sense to do the cr-1a, if it is playing well, keep it and enjoy it.
I would look around for a good used 3 head, preferably already restored by Willy ( they do exist) or a non working one on the cheap and book it in with Willy and just wait until he can get to it.
I guess it depends on just how much you want to spend on a tape deck?
I had a 582, then went up to a 660, then found a zx7 which worked well for about 6 months then the recording went on the fritz so I got Willy to work his magic on it and could not be happier. |
Dark side of the Moon .... Pink Floyd.
Cassette from 1978 that plays perfectly.
Quite a nice surprise in my latest haul.
In fact I would have to say the SQ is quite astonishing.... And no scratches 😂😂 |
The Doors - The Doors. Elektra Cassette. Unknown release date, but probably mid-70’s ?? No Dolby stamping, so playing it ‘bare’, but sounds pretty darn good.
Cassette |
@uberwaltz
Agreed on the (non)value of getting the CR-1A restored by Willy.
But, just for kicks I checked on eBay for used Nak decks, and all the CR-1A’s are going for almost twice what I paid. A sign that cassette are really making a comeback? I could always find them for close to what I got mine for. I may take mine to Play It Again Sam here in town to get it further cleaned-up, adjusted if/as necessary, and belts replaced (with good OEM ones hopefully).
Did check out the other Nak 3 head models on eBay, and man, they seem to be going for a premium these days. Probably not something I would necessarily buy on eBay without knowing more. Once you get to $650+, I would want to know it has at least been serviced well. |
Unfortunately yes to pricing of 3 head Nak decks.
Any that are in fair condition and working right now are going to be $500 plus minimum.
As an example I bought my zx7 for $850 working which was a fair price and then spent near that again getting it restored to factory spec.
But really that is it, im done for now, will never need anything better. |
Spellbound .... Joe Sample.
Cassette |
You two could be a bad influence on me :-) |
😂😂😂😂
It is a fact that if you want an analog recording of some of the 90,s albums you have to look for the cassette tape..
The Rhythm of the Saints ..... Paul Simon. |
Death Vessel / Stay close |
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Everlast, Whitey Ford Sings the Blues
N |
Just bought Tin machine cd and Miles Davis Essential, playing them now. |
Henri Dutilleux - Orchestral Works I. Hans Graf conducting Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra. Arte Nova classics. 2005
CD |
Grateful Dead / Infrared Roses |
limomangus -
+1 Tin Machine. I believe I posted that one some time ago. Another solid effort from Bowie!
N |
Paavo Jarvi conducts Beethoven - The 9 Symphonies. CD 1: symphonies 3 & 8. Sony/RCA Red Seal. 2016.
CD box set. |
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Emory Joseph Fennario / Songs by Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter
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Grateful Dead / Without a net |
Grateful Dead / Dicks picks, volume 9 |
Richard Thompson - Rumor and Sigh. Capital 1991
Cassette |
Badfinger- "Straight UP" DCC
ozzy |
Love Badfinger!!
Great stuff 👍 |
John Coltrane - Lush Life. Heritage Jazz reissue 1993. Remastered by Joe Tarantino in 1987, original recording 1957 & 1958.
Cassette (chrome) |
The Band Live in Concert - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Capitol reissue 1989
Cassette
Well, this is actually a re-release of songs culled from the Rock of Ages 2 LP set released in 1972, which I have, and rate it poor for its recording and overall SQ. I really don’t listen to it at all because of that.
I was hoping that maybe they may have improved things with this release, but not really. Perhaps a little better, but it’s just hard to believe they (Capitol) could have recorded and released such a poor effort recording and engineering-wise. The Band plays great, but I cannot get past the poor engineering effort on this one, or Rock of Ages. A shame really, it really does not do The Band justice. |
Todd Rundgren - 2nd Wind. WB 1991
Cassette |
Blessed Union ... Blessed Union of Soul 2nd ...on cd. |
Boulez conducts Mahler, Symphony #4. The Cleveland Orchestra w/Juliane Banse, soprano. Deutsche Grammophon. Recorded 1998.
CD |
MV&EE / Who do you love
Bkeske, I would also like to see a well recorded "Rock of ages". The music on that album(s) is steller. |
@boxer12 Bkeske, I would also like to see a well recorded "Rock of ages". ***The music on that album(s) is steller.*** Which is why it is disappointing, as The Band were really playing well and with a ton of energy. Back in the 70’s, with a lesser system, I really didn’t notice it as much, but when I recently unearthed my vinyl and played it on my current system, there are times it is ‘cringe worthy’. And only has to do do with the recording technique and engineering. |
Boulez conducts Ravel & Debussy. Ravel : Sheherazade w/Anne Sofie Von Otter, mezzo-soprano & LeTombeau de Couperin. Debussy : Dances, Le Jet d’eau, Ballades de Francois Villon w/Alison Hagley, soprano. The Cleveand Orchestra. Recorded 1999 Deutsch Grammophon
CD |
Same experience here. I bought the cd after the album thinking they may have improved the SQ. No such luck.
Hush Arbors / Landscape of bone |
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Lee Ranaldo / Maelstrom from drift |
Szell conducts Haydn, symphonies 93, 95, & 97. The Cleveland Orchestra. Sony Classical reissue 1995
CD |
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Natalie Merchant - Ophelia. Elektra 1998
CD
Just replaced this. Somehow I lost my original copy. |
Rush- Spirit Of The Radio Greatest Hits 24/96hz.
ozzy |
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The Anubian Lights / Naz bar |
The new HR 24/86hz. AC/DC Albums on Qoboz
ozzy |
Tourist in Paradise ..... The Rippingtons.
Cassette |
Young Man Running ..... Corey Hart.
Cassette |
Royal Concertgebouw - RCO Live box set, 1980-1990. Avro
CD 1, 7, and 10.
Picked a real mix of more modern composers; Webern, Nielsen, Schreker, Skryabin, Varese, Escher, Berg, with Brahms 4th and Mahler’s 1st thrown into the mix as bookends to the above.
Great sets and live recordings. |
Close Up .... David Sanborn.
Cassette.
Been busy culling my tape haul, out of the 181 I bought, 89 have been culled for resale on Fleabay...so far.. lol. |
