I'm interested in a higher-end cassette deck specifically for recording to play back on my Walkman DC2. The DC2 has Dolby B and C NR. I would likely be making tapes from digital sources. Any recommendations?
What type of decks? For portable Sony TC-D5 and Marantz PMD430 and Sony D6c For standard decks many models available depends on your budget (Nakamichi CR7 is one of the best)
Look out for Aiwa decks as they are good value / sound quality if the Nakamichi's are too pricy for you.
Nakamichi ZX-7 or ZX-9, if you're seeking full manual control of azimuth, bias and output level in cassette recordings. http://www.angelfire.com/wi/blueswapper/nakzx9a.html http://www.angelfire.com/wi/blueswapper/nakzx9e.html I possess both of these decks, excellent design and very durable over many years of use. Cheers, Bleus de Nakker MadCity, WI USA ******************
Here's a link to American Radio Museum's Web Site and the Audio Magazine Page. Check out the later October issues for the buyers guide, it will give you an idea of the manufacturers line-up and list price. I get all of my tape decks from the thrifts or garage sales so I'm not too picky but the decks I own that seem to be really robust and sound pretty good are JVC and AIWA. My units are all in the $15.00 USD or less category but with some cleaning and belts they sound pretty good. Sometimes the problem with the hi fi decks is that you need to record and play back on the same brand of equipment, that shouldn't be a problem with the hi-end mid-fi decks. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Audio-Magazine.htm
The main questions are: how serious are you with sound quality? And, how much are you willing to spend?
Okay then Alligator I would get a Nakamichi CR-7 like Boodokhan recommended, you can’t go wrong with it. I have a CR-7. Are there better out there? Yes there are, but would I want one of them? That would be a no. From the ones I have listened to then the Nakamichi 1000ZXL and the Nakamichi ZX-9 are better but different sound. The reason I would not have those machines are because they are both older than the CR-7. Parts and service cost for the 1000ZXL and ZX-9 are way up there and that is assuming you can find people to work on them. CR-7 being newer means there are more likely to have parts available.
I can say that to be true, in an odd fashion... With my Sanyo Ultrx RD R51, I recorded CD-sourced remasters onto a 120-min. Type-I cassette with all the functions going. (Dolby C, MPX...) When it was played-back on my Yamaha K-960, I was surprised by the inflections it reproduced: Increased bass presence, plus good highs! Who would've thought such a thing could be possible with such a cassette?
IMHO best of SONY and Pioneer are my best recomendation. Like the K909ES, K990ES, K6AES or the CT-93, CT-91 and the like. Personally I'd suggest the CT-91 as the best pick. Not just for its sound quality, which is at the same level of the best of the best, but also because detail, channel separation of soundstage are not the only things to bear in mind to get the best from a particular cassette. Linearity of the recording, absence of distortion and ease to make extraordinary records are equally important, and for that, you need precise VU meters with high resolution (1 segment for 1 VU), especially near Dolby mark. peak level hold, LINKED with rec level knob. Also, the unique capability of the Super Auto BLE automatic calibration system with three internal controls (rec cal level, bias and EQ cal) with manual bias override means that it beats them all. I have one and it's my favorite deck. It not just does all really needed things but it also does remarcably well. And I think the CT-91 can be found for under 1k$. And most of the models I recommended I think aren't hard to service, but @Sergi can tell better.
