2. cables
  3. 152687-101473

So I gained a few pounds and that lost love!

My casual dress coats from 15 years ago no longer fit me. Yes, I have grown more around than up. I would rather spend my money on audio related expenses than a new suit. Went to the local Goodwill and found 2 retro sport jackets. Pretty cool. $7.99 a piece. A little dry cleaning and good to go. While there, I find a Sony tape deck. Aha moment! My Grateful Dead bootlegs have been sitting nicely stored for the last 15 years. Not listened to once. $12.99 for the deck. Needs some cleaning, plug it in, everything seems in fine order. What the heck. Let's do this. Heck of alot lot risky than an $800 Nakamichi. Set it up and wow! Not talking about the quality of the sound. Talking about putting on a side that flow seemlessly for 90 minutes as only the Dead and a few others could do. 
So this is my question. In the end, it is an 80s tape deck. It can only be so good. I have made relatively economical cable and power cord upgrade purchases over the last year. Have been sticking with Morrow and Schmitt Custom Audio. Been very happy with those purchases. Clearly better than stock cords or Monster cables. 
However, does it make any sense to spend a couple hundred dollars to upgrade RCA cables for an 80s Sony tape deck? I highly doubt it will make any difference. I suspect that I should just enjoy this alternative source for what it is and let sleeping dogs lie. Anyone out there ever contemplate this?
ricmci
jnorris2005
185 posts
 
Watch out, Millercarbon is back to shilling snake oil!

No, expensive cables on an '80's era cassette do not make sense.  Especially if this is one of those dual-deck Dolby C abominations.  Let the dogs lie.
sfseay's avatar
sfseay
496 posts
 
@millercarbon is just BSing you about cables on the cassette deck, but he might have some magic cones for sale.
ricmci OP
219 posts
 
Thank you for all the wisdom. I will just enjoy it for what it is at this time.  Does it sound as good as other sources through the system? Not even close. Do some of the tapes sound decent? Yes. I'll just be content that I can actually listen to them when I want to now rather than sitting in shoe boxes in my closet for the last 15 years. 
ricmci OP
219 posts
 
Actually just read Millercarbons post again and it gave me an idea. Pull upgraded RCA cable off one of the other components and give it a whirl. Cost nothing to try. Not sure why I didn't do this already. Duh!
crustycoot
621 posts
 
You are aware I hope that dozens (hundreds?) of Dead shows can be streamed on Tidal?  Their provenance is often actual mixing board recording transfers to full 16/44 digital files. Never accept the 1 7/8 ips 1/8” flangy fluttery pumping and breathing abomination that was the cassette...when far better options are so readily available!
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