2. analog
  3. 166399-5377

Nakamichi RX-505 and some nice tapes for it

According to the prices for Nakamichi decks and cassette tapes I feel like it's not the best time to buy any of them, I feel like I missed the train, but I wish to have this model in my collection. And I want it so bad ... 

I remember my Maxell, Fuji, Sony, TDK cassettes used in the 90's, but once you gave them to you girlfriend they are gone. 

My Pioneer cassette deck was removed from my rack probably in 2006 and never used since that day. I recorded mixtapes from vinyl since mid 90's. Earlier in high-school I recorded something from CDs when it was an exotic format here, also made cassette to cassette copies. 

I never thought I will even think about this format again, but I think it would be nice to have Nakamichi RX-505 (I really like this particular model only, except for Dragon which is great, but too expensive today). 

I know it's the same transport in RX-505, don't know what's the difference between Nak 505 and 505E ? 

Purchased some sealed NOS Maxell XLII 90 and 100 min for about $5 each last week, it was an impulse, haha  

Some metal position tapes are very expensive on ebay (sometimes $50-100 each). 

Those open reel TEAK tapes goes for crazy prices just because it looks cool ? 

If someone could help me with decent cassette tapes please drop below model numbers and brands. 

P.S. No, I don't use digital, strictly vinyl, but I want cassette tapes and Nakamichi RX-505 for fun. 

 


chakster
vinylvin
151 posts
 
I used to have some of those Teac Open reel cassettes, they were
ok, neat to look at though.

Like inna said,  Maxell XLII-S & MX-S are the best, the TDK SA-X
& Sony UX-Pro are real nice also. I still have a bunch with music
on them. Still all fine from the 80s & 90s.
tonykay
1,316 posts
 
After all these years, I'm actually thinking about selling my Nakamichi RX-505. It was serviced a few years ago by Willy Hermann. It will go with a couple hundred 60's and 70's commercially-made cassettes. I have always loved the cassette format but just don't find the time to enjoy it like I have in the past. I still have five CD/DVD players and have recently acquired a higher end turntable. I simply can't find the time to do justice to all the available formats. After I finally sell it, I'm sure I'll regret it.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
What is the price for service at Willy Hermann or some other specialist?
clio09
3,382 posts
 
Willy Hermann is one of the best but his backlog these days is a good year out when I checked with him late last year. His fees will range based on what your deck needs.
inna
7,923 posts
 
chakster,
I have a small quantity of sealed Vertex tapes that I bought years ago for about $50 a piece. Still a lot.
I never tried Teac cassettes. I do prefer, generally speaking, Maxell to TDK, though as I mentioned TDK MA-R and MA-XG are excellent, newest green case MA-XG sounds best with my deck, which is not calibrated for particular tape formulation.
Yes, all decks that I recommended have calibration. It is important if you want the very best recordings.
RX-505 is a good deck.
I send my deck to Willy Hermann every 3-4 years for service. If nothing is broken it doesn't cost much - about $350 or so plus shipping both ways, But the first time, which was years ago, when I sent it to him it was something like $650 plus shipping, but he did partial overhaul.
As a new client you would have to wait for months before he has time to work on your deck, at least it was last year when I asked him. This doesn't apply to old clients.
More to discover