How long do Cassette Decks last

I have had my AKAI since 1979. I keep it clean, demagnetized,and make a point of regularly powering it on and it still works great, really great. It's the tapes that I've found are the larger concern even with the best. Proper storage helps but not always.

I bought a new TASCAM CC222MXII unit last year with CD and cassette tape recording and am quite happy with it. I mix my music (via a separate mixer) with prerecorded media and record CDs and tapes. Plus I have a lot of cassette tapes so having a deck is important to me. The TASCAM enables me to easily transfer the cassette recording onto the less delicate CD format.

Bought a Denon in 1984 for 400$ and used it constantly.Around 15 years later,it finally started going south,cant remember why...one of my best alltime purchases,Bob

Until replaced by better technology

or until someone plays a cassette soaked in beer.

Most of the drive problems can, I understand, be solved with a simple idler wheel replacement/upgrade. If you're mechanical, you can probably do it yourself. The part is about $10.

My Nak broke because of NON-USE! The two axle motors or is it the clutches (?) stop turning with the tape in gear after a while. A night of continuous spinning sets them well again - very annoying. But I use my DAT-recorder more, anyway.

I used a three head JVC TDV66 for 15 yrs. regularly until it finally stopped cold.I replaced it with a NAK DR 10. Nsgarch, I also second Jeff and his crew at ES Labs. They are an excellent group to deal with and is very highly recommended.

My Nak CR-2 is about 15 years or so old and it should last a long long time unless it dies of dust collection. I don't know why I have it hooked up.

I'm going to say roughly 15 years.... depending on the type of drive you've got. If you've done the gear drive upgrade on your NAK or if you have the "Cassette Deck model 1" that comes with gear drive, you're probably all right. Otherwise the drives do give out over time. Also I had a CR3a with a blown motor. My BX-300 failed and had to have the gear drive upgrade. I can tell you by perusing the ebay ads for naks that there are many CR-3a,CR-7a, others sold with some sort of drive problem.

I have had my NAK 500 since 1978 still works fine.
Hours on it, hundreds.
Jim

I've had my Nak CR-7a since '88. It works just fine, although it hasn't probably received much use in the last 10 years, I still use it occasionally. I'm going to start recording again though -- making compilations from LPs. Why not burn CDs instead? Why indeed! Analog should stay analog is my position. And the tapes sound great!

Jeff Galin at:

ELECTRONICS SERVICE LABS
1807 Berlin Turnpike
Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109 USA
VOICE & FAX 860-529-3700

jeff@nakamichi.us www.nakamichi.us

does full service/repair/upgrades if you need/want them.