Which Nakamichi to choose?

I'm a serious tapehead and with a good tape and a machine serviced with a good tech and you have nothing short of magic.

I have the 3014a in top notch shape. Its more fuller sounding with discrete circuits than the Nak. The Nak tapes did seem to have more punch in my portables however.

The ZX9 was Nakamichi's reference deck when it came out after the Dragon.

I have one and it's excellent. It is broke at the moment however. The recordings were super clean. Costing $800 less than a dragon it's a great bargain. I'm getting mine fixed.

I see this tape post with this much attention shows a renewed interest in the medium. Lets have "Guardians of tbe Galaxy" 3 !!! 

From what i have read on tbe internet there were 200 910s made and 100 911s which were (warning) playback only. There were 4000 3014s/3014a's made. There were 40,000 Dragons made during its around 10 year run from 82 to 93.im going by memory here.

On the 3004 there  was a 100 or less made. It came before the other tandbergs. Stay away from the 3034. 

Ok here is my advice on what Nak to get. Get the Dragon or ZX9. another consideration is the 682zx. From what I have read it has a more solid and robust transport than it predecessor the mighty Dragon. You are probably going to have to pay a qualified tech( not just an arrogant overconfident know it all) but one who really  knows the machines. It will cost you. It doesn't make sense to pay $500 to get a lesser Nak up and running to spec when you can find one of the 40,000 Dragon non working been in the closet for 30 years  eBay auctions. But if its just for non critical playback  go for any of the later economy Naks. Maybe all that is needed is a belt.

At best it's magical musical and fantastic. U actually pat yourself on the back for a good job. I have re reorded over tapes before, same music. Better quality machine. My Dragon should be here mid next week!!!

Long live tapes!!! A funny YouTube video is one where they give some 7-8 year old kids a Sony cassette walkman to operate. They are so lost.

I have one of the 700 II's!  The official nickname is tve "TOASTER" its one if the more beautiful Naks along with the ZXL models.Nakdoc in Tenn who works on them among others told me at that point when the 700 II or a little after, playback in the machines had  fully matured. Mine plays back tapes well. 

Its the tapehead that will wear out. Thats what keeps me from playing background music all day with it. Use your tape player judiciously. Sadly it has an expiration date with its heads after being relapped on time. So make its time count. I wonder if ESL labs have any extra dragon heads they would want to sell. I think they will be sitting on them

My Dragon is not back yet. Its yanking the tape real hard but only does it sporadically.

I just dusted of my Nak 700II cleaned the heads and pinch rollers. I put a Soundgarden tape in I had recorded off tbe record in 2005 and .............. it sounded great! Rich and full. Plus it looks cool playing. Nakdoc in Tenn restored it in 2014 and did a great job. The tape was recorded on my Tandberg. I had played the tape hundreds of times in ny car and in tbe heat. Its a Sony metal select cassette. I like those.