Looking for a dual cassette player/recorder with radio boombox for my Dad. Prefer something new, light and compact. Any recommendations? Thanks!

 Hi Leo.

If you want newer boxes, you can certainly get many on Ebay.

Older boxes are generally better made and have higher quality components. Newer boxes..not so much.

Thanks! My only concern with older boxes is I won't be able to repair them if they breakdown. Where to get a reliable older box and which one to get?

Newer boxes are normally designed for disposal whereas the older boxes were built with repair in mind.

Ebay would probably be your best bet unless a member here has a double cassette deck they are willing to sell. Just make sure of the condition of the box (mechanically and cosmetically) before sale and read ALL of the fine print in the auction.

Don't hesitate to ask the seller any questions and be leary of statements like "the cassette deck doesn't work but proably just needs a belt".  Get one that's fully operational and insist on durable packing (a box killer for sure)

Hopefully a member has one for sale near you and local pickup is possible

Sharp QT77 is a cool little unit...IMHO

Thanks! A quick search on ebay for QT-77 didn't show up anything. Will be on the lookout. Getting a reliable unit from one of the members here would be awesome.

I've got an old Sharp QT-90. I love it, crisp punchy sound, many good features. These crop up on ebay quite freaquently.

I had a think about what I have and have just realised I must have some aversion to double deck machines as it turns out I've only got one a Sharp GF525 which ain't small!...QT90 seems a good recommendation tho, a step up from the standard mini doubles

The QT-90 punches way above it’s weight for such a relatively small machine. I had a Sharp GF-555 which was okay but I actually prefer the 90. I know what you mean when you say that you have an aversion to twin decks. Always better to have one good quality deck than to cost cut cheap decks! (And they almost always are cheaper mechanisms!)

you could also get something like a panasonic rxc 45.....single deck and better than the 555...plenty on the bay normally

The reason I am looking for a double deck is that my Dad could record his old cassettes into new blanks. I want a light and compact one so it can be shipped overseas. Thanks for the recommendations and keep them coming until I find the one.

Hi Leo

I have a Phillips qt-77 (same components as sharp) dual cassette player in excellent condition with manual. I would rather your dad had it to enjoy. I have recorded all my cassettes so i am willing to sell it. What do you want to pay for it?

Sid

Sorry Leo

Typo error. It Is a Sharp QT-77.

Regards

Not at sensible levels maybe, but take a 555 into a nearly empty ware house and crank it up (did this when we had a closing down party in one of work's storage warehouses) then the point of the 555 and its ilk becomes apparent!

We had Rammstein, Ratt, AC-DC, Horace Andy, Dennis Brown, New Order and other, similarly bass weighted material going all afternoon, it's still on the same battery now and that was back in July! I've since swapped in a pair of Sony 3-way car speakers to replace the original two way setup and it's even better. Just watch for molten capstan sleeve in any Sharp of the period but that apart, the decks in the 555 and similar are bombproof and very stable thanks to their large flywheels with crown pulleys and flat main belts. No shared motors here either, unlike Hitachi doubles of the era. Each has its own motor. Living with the looks is something I've had more than 30 years to practice and I wouldn't half miss it if it ever left home!