The Best Cassette Decks Ever? How do they compare to the Nak ZX-7?

**Themis** · 15-12-2009, 17:33

BASF Chrome and Ferrochrome were always too noisy imho (very poor S/N) and not robust enough for everyday use. Let alone the normal tapes like LH or other "ferro super"...

Scotch (3M) were better, but far from the TDKs. The best Scotch was the Superferric model. They were not very robust either.

**Marco** · 15-12-2009, 17:51

BASF Chrome and Ferrochrome were always too noisy imho (very poor S/N) and not robust enough for everyday use.

Possibly, but I liked them (still like them) because they give recordings a nice 'tone', which is quite important to me

I find them more than robust enough for my usage.

Marco.

**Themis** · 15-12-2009, 17:59

Originally Posted by Marco

Possibly, but I liked them (still like them) because they give recordings a nice 'tone', which is quite important to me

I find them more than robust enough for my usage.

Marco.

Well, all tapes are "robust enough" if you're VERY careful...

But, only a few tapes could stay in a car at summertime without problems. I was young and careless, my cassettes had to be like my girlfriend : not fussy.

Yes, BASF have a nice "distinguish" tonality, especially without Dolby.
I understand you may like it.

**Marco** · 15-12-2009, 18:16

But, only a few tapes could stay in a car at summertime without problems. I was young and careless, my cassettes had to be like my girlfriend : not fussy.

The latter bit I can relate to, given the suspension-testing 'extracurricular activities' which sometimes took place inside cars I've owned

However, in terms of your summertime comment, no. I was in Scotland and you were in Greece - the climate was, erm, 'slightly different'!

Yes, BASF have a nice "distinguish" tonality, especially without Dolby.
I understand you may like it.

They have a richness of tone, which I like, but at the same time sound open and detailed. Some TDKs could sound quite 'toppy' in comparison, especially when they brought out the AD-X and SA-X - I didn't like those much at all.

Marco.

**Alex Nikitin** · 15-12-2009, 19:23

I like BASF too, just now I've received 40 BASF Chrome Maxima II, used but in a good condition from Germany, at about £1-20 each. It would be interesting to compare 4 different years (I've asked for 10 of each year) of production... . Older ones did shed a bit of a white talc-like powder on a first run, but after that they OK.

Alex

**Marco** · 15-12-2009, 19:44

Nice one, Alex. I use CR-S II 90s and they're excellent

Marco.

**Marco** · 15-12-2009, 20:03

Andre,

Marco
The below are the ones i prefered with this design label

That looks like an early 80s one - not sure, though...

These MA-R diecast jobbies here at the bottom were the best constructed tapes eva, totally silent in winding..If i remember i used to pay near on a fiver each for them from Moorgate Acoustic back then

The MA-Rs were quite superb. TDK were the only company I know to properly address the issue of resonance in cassette casing - not only did that mean they wound silently, but it also improved sound quality, too!

Marco.

**Rare Bird** · 15-12-2009, 21:42

Teac Made a tape that looked like tiny reel to reel spools, that was quiet but didnt sound great..

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/9...5635561_tp.jpg

**Alex_UK** · 15-12-2009, 22:29

Originally Posted by Andre

Teac Made a tape that looked like tiny reel to reel spools, that was quiet but didnt sound great..

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/9...5635561_tp.jpg

Here's Andre's pic, embedded, to save everyone else the hassle of downloading it:

**Alex Nikitin** · 17-12-2009, 01:45

Is this the most expensive cassette deck ever?

(It is not, obviously, but the seller did apparently believe the misprint in the online text of an old review!)

Alex

Thread: The Best Cassette Decks Ever? How do they compare to the Nak ZX-7?

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