Recommend Cassette Deck for up to £300

[eldarvanyar]

Hi,
I am looking to get back into cassette tape after many years.
Can anyone recommend a cassette deck for up to £300 with dual capstan and three heads, preferably serviced and with new belts.
There are so many options about.
I have been wondering about a Yamaha KX650 or a Dual or Sony ES.
What makes and models are preferred or rated. Can you post pictures as well?
Thanks
Lee

[Macca]

Nakamichi - accept no substitute. Not to say that Sony, Aiwa et al did not make some very decent tape decks but it's hit and miss whereas all Naks are a cut above.

Very tidy BX-2 here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nakamichi-BX-2-Mine-From-New-Ex-Condition-Little-Use-Manual-Brochure-Copies/264878818325?hash=item3dac020415%3Ag%3AbY4AAOSwT4J fYeCw&LH_BIN=1

£267 delivered.

[losepete]

I currently have a Sony TC-K555 3 head dual capstan deck for sale - see https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?70687-FS-Sony-TC-K-555-cassette-deck

The asking price should leave enough over from your budget for a service.

[Barry]

Nakamichi - accept no substitute. Not to say that Sony, Aiwa et al did not make some very decent tape decks but it's hit and miss whereas all Naks are a cut above.

Very tidy BX-2 here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nakamichi-BX-2-Mine-From-New-Ex-Condition-Little-Use-Manual-Brochure-Copies/264878818325?hash=item3dac020415%3Ag%3AbY4AAOSwT4J fYeCw&LH_BIN=1



£267 delivered.

I have a BX-2 and a BX-125, both are very good machines, but that one on ebay is vastly overpriced IMO.

[Macca]

I have a BX-2 and a BX-250, both are very good machines, but that one on ebay is vastly overpriced IMO.

Tape decks are in demand again now though for some bizarre reason. I gave mine away about fifteen years ago!

That one has only has one careful owner, manual and brochure in perfect condition, always a good sign. I'd rather pay a bit extra for that than get some clunker of an example that's been discounted to shift it.

[Edward]

I have a Nak DR-2 which I rebelted a couple years ago. 3-header. As mentioned all Nak's are solid and other than belts seems to last decades.. I use mine as a source for digitising various cassettes.

Here is one for sale. Seems in good nick. No relation to the seller.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nakamichi-DR-2-Cassette-Deck-Working-Recent-new-belt/402432133768

[paulf-2007]

Technics rs275us top loading direct drive.

[anthonyTD]

I have a DR1, which seems to work fine, has had replacement pinch wheels, and belt, anyone interested, just PM me.
Not sure what to ask for it, so open to offers.

[Barry]

Tape decks are in demand again now though for some bizarre reason. I gave mine away about fifteen years ago!

That one has only has one careful owner, manual and brochure in perfect condition, always a good sign. I'd rather pay a bit extra for that than get some clunker of an example that's been discounted to shift it.

Having looked on ebay at Nakamichi machines, it would seem you are quite correct: the typical asking price is around £200. Although I no longer use my Naks, I'll be hanging on to them as an investment. I was thinking of selling them, but in the light of the above I'm in no hurry.

[DarrenHW]

I'll throw my hat in the ring too. I have a bit scruffy, but in perfect working order Technics RS AZ7. Looking for £100.


https://i.ibb.co/Nr97Z4G/IMG-9239.jpg (https://ibb.co/dtP7GhH)

[Filterlab]

Nakamichi - accept no substitute.

Exactly this. There was little to touch the Naks. :)

[Landloper]

I and a friend never got rid of our (admittedly unexalted) tape decks. I have a basic Yamaha KX580SE and, by the bedside, an even more basic Denon DRR-M30. Still have a few tapes, mostly spoken word, but still have some Jorge Bolet Liszt recordings from Decca. Most alos digitised owing to their frail (chemical) nature. All I've had to to do over the last 10 years, other than demag and clean the heads, is to replace a drawer belt on the Denon. Amazingly the belts are still avaiable to buy.