2. analog
  3. 195405-5876

Who said tape doesnt last :^)

So I am kicking back listening to The Canadian Brass on cassette (DONT JUDGE ME) when I started wondering if these fine musicians were still performing (they are). When I looked at the discography, I saw my tape ("Champions" by Canadian Brass) was released in 1983. 1983! It still sounds rock solid on my Nak deck! For grins and giggles (and because I am nursing bruised ribs) I played some other tapes dating back to 1975/1977). These are tapes that are pushing 50 yrs of age! The fact they still sound good is a testament to the quality of construction, materials, and the care I use in storage.

It just boggles my mind that I have had some material that is still playing. Of course, having opened my mouth, the next tape I play will break and spool out inside the cassette well.

jcipale
2psyop's avatar
2psyop
1,870 posts
 

Nakamichi. Ahhh yes. I remember back in my Army days the PX had these cassette players and they were the gold standard of cassette tape playback. You could only do better if you stepped up to reel to reel. The NAK was expensive but the Technics and Teac and Akai reel to reel players. That was audiophile stuff. Only for captains and generals…. Haha. Too much $$$ for a PFC like me.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,972 posts
 

My pre-recorded 7" Reel to Reel 1/4" wide tapes (had over 500 of them, now about 300) average 50 years old, (a few are 7-1/2 IPS 2 Track stereo from 1956, soon to be 70 years old). They are the best sounding format I own.

My friend's 15ips tapes blow these away. I'm always surprised how many obsess over cables, fuses, expensive miniscule tweaks and don't get into tape for it's undeniable superior sound.

8 track cartridges were supposed to be for short lived ad campaigns played on the radio, throw them out after a short while;1/8" wide cassette was supposed to be for dictation,

and yet technology advanced these transportable/sharable formats to surprisingly good for multi-channel music.

More to discover