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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. 

 


128x128chakster
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
@inna when I checked those models on hi-fi shark the prices are higher than for RX-505, too much for me, simply because vinyl is still my main media format. I wouldn’t pay more than $1k for Nak deck ideally. 
inna
7,296 posts
 
chakster, I see. $1k should buy RX-505 in excellent condition.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
I would need a pro grade outboard Dolby S unit to experiment with it. I don't think I would want to go in this direction.
@inna 

I don't blame you and I wouldn't either! Plus IIRC most outboard units are actually Dolby SR, which are meant for reel to reel. I know Pioneer made some great (and expensive: +$1000 when new) Dolby S machines but beyond that I didn't keep track of them.


ZX-9 should be better than 682ZX in terms of dynamics and resolution but 682ZX is a forever classic Nak.
One thing to look out for with any of the Nak 3-head machines is to make sure they record in *both* channels prior to purchase! The Nak record heads tend to fail leaving one channel out in record mode. They are rare and expensive- I've seen them for over $700 on ebay.

inna
7,296 posts
 
Ralph, why do you look at these things ? I mean, heads for Nak decks. You have Studers, that's real tape machines.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
why do you look at these things ? I mean, heads for Nak decks. You have Studers, that's real tape machines.
I put myself through engineering and technical school working on consumer electronics. So I've worked on plenty of cassette machines including Naks. I worked on a 700 recently for a friend and it had exactly that bad recording head problem. For my own self, there's no way I'd buy a 3-head machine because replacement record heads can be very rare and expensive, regardless of the brand. OTOH you can find good heads for 2-head machines with ease.


Nak made a number of 2-head machines that were quite nice. Not saying they sound the best but the differences are slight; if you want the best Nak, just be aware that the record head can be a problem!
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