Once aligned and tuned my deck keeps it for quite some time. I also treat playback head with LAST tape head preservative before playing every cassette, it lasts for two sides. This is not a substitute for cleaning, of course, only a complement. When properly maintained Nakamichi head should be good for at least 10000 hours, I am not sure any head or just better heads.
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This will provide a good test of the system sensitivity and your hearing. Get two Walker 1/2" resonance control discs, $50 each. Place one very near Nottingham motor without it touching the motor holder, place another one on top of the deck where the transport is located. You should hear a slight improvement in clarity. If you don't - there will be a work to do. Nottingham Spacedeck is a very emotional, dynamic and quite quiet turntable, some people prefer it to much more expensive tables. Also, when recording from it, I can clearly hear differences in pressings when listening to the Nak. I can also compare cables and phono stage power cords this way. |
@orpheus10 What are the odds I looked at the pic of your deck, nice looking deck btw, and there is one listed! Looks like a good buy for $550 if I was in the market I might snap it up. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis93faf-sony-tc-ka3es-tape-decks |
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. |
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