Cassette deck enthusiasts......

Maybe take a look into Akai and Tascam (TEAC's pro line) in addition to Nakamichi. Both produced top grade tape machines.

I suggest also a Nakamichi 670zx.
Vu meters, excellent sound and building quality, three heads, built-in 400hz oscillator for tape calibration, azimuth adjustable, manuals easy to find on the web.
I bought it on 1981 and it needed three services in these years, the last on 2009 about a dead pinch roller. A nice deck, you can also find a remote unit and you'll have a very very good sounding unit!
Marco

Great thread! I'm in the market for something similar.

I can vouch for the Technics M95 cassette deck having owned one for thirty years. It's built to last as mine has.

Nakamichi rules in cassette decks.

I found out the expensive way by buying the best Sony made and then listening to a friends Nak that was cheaper. The Nak destroyed it and this was in my pre-audiophile days.

I ended up with a ZX7. I will never sell it and the suggestion for a 670 is great advice.

Have Fun!