Cassette Decks in 2019

Late last year I purchased the Tascam deck you linked to, for $500 at B&H Photo Video. I commented about it as follows on 11-18-2018 in this thread:

Given the mention of cassette decks in many of the responses, I’d thought I’d mention a currently produced deck some may wish to consider if and when their vintage deck develops a problem that isn’t worth fixing, or can’t be fixed.

The ca. 1980 Tandberg 3004 I purchased in the mid-1990s recently developed some problems, and given the expense that would be involved in getting it repaired (the SoundSmith website indicates a "maximum estimate" of $2250 for an overhaul of that very complex deck) I decided to purchase a pro-oriented dual well deck Tascam introduced just a few months ago, the 202MkVII, costing $500.

And I’ve been very pleasantly surprised with its sonics, not to mention that I expect it to provide much better reliability over the long term than the Tandberg would have if I were to get it repaired. Compared to the Tandberg (when it was working properly) there is some loss of definition in the highs, that is particularly evident on classical piano music. But that is pretty much the only significant negative I can cite regarding its sonics.

And on the other hand, I’ve just listened on the Tascam to a Connoisseur In Sync cassette I purchased in the 1980s featuring violinist Wanda Wilkomirska performing the famous Bach Chaconne and various pieces by other composers, the original recording having been made in 1974. Totally fantastic, musically and sonically! Most or all of the many cassettes that were issued on that label, btw, were duplicated in real time and on CrO2 tapes.

Also, btw, the deck provides a USB output, making it possible to do digital transfers to a computer.

Considering this deck’s combination of sonic quality, presumably much greater likelihood than the vintage decks of providing long-term reliability (it’s perhaps noteworthy that as a Tascam product it is aimed at the pro audio market), and very modest price (certainly compared to most of the upper tier vintage units if found in top condition), I would recommend the Tascam highly.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Thanks! I’m sold. I appreciate your input. Truly.

Hmm.
Now just WHY do you think all those Nakamichi decks are commanding great prices?
Maybe because they were the best cassette deck made available to the general public?
I have tried numerous Japan decks over the years, not one of them got close to my lowly 582.
Two decks I bought in rapid succession nosed out the 582, being a 660zx and then a zx7.
You really do have to hear the zx7 to appreciate how good cassette replay can sound.

Now I admit I have not heard the Tascam model that Almarg references but I believe him when he says it is good.

Would be interesting to pit one against my zx7......

@uberwaltz I have no doubt they are good but I’m not spending that much for cassette playback. I’m investing in bands and labels with analog media rather than streaming it.

if a $500 Tascam is a pretty good player for playback on not well recorded music then it’s enough for me. I’m a vinyl guy first and foremost but want to support these labels even if cassette is all they can afford.  Understand too we are talking about Japanese power noise. It’s not cello
sonatas and the like. So it has to be pretty good but not amazing. 😊

Totally understand OP!

With how many pre recorded and home recorded tapes I have I just wanted the best reproduction possible.
And for me that is now my zx7,but yes you have to pay to play.

You can get good working 582 for 300, 682 for 600 and zx7 for 1k.
Figure a full service for 500 to 700.
So yes it can get Spendy.
Please let me know how the Tascam works out if you go that route!