View Full Version : Cheap good “starter” cassette deck
Hi guys.
After exploring this topic I am still undecided to what deck should I go with from present choices on SH market.
This is my temporary selection, but I am open to other advices.
Denon DR-M22 (£90 + £20 petrol)
Technics RS-B665 (£90 offer + £10 shipping)
Technics RS-B565 (£80 starting bid +£13 shipping) (clean condition, from house clearance)
Denon DRM-800 (£110 + £9 shipping)
Denon DR-M10 (£25 starting bid + £7 shipping)
Aiwa AD-F850 (£90 just serviced, no original power switch)
Technics RS-AZ6 (£130 + £16 shipping)
Yamaha KX-300 (not available atm)
Yamaha KX-330 (£60)
Yamaha KX-580SE (£70 + £10 shipping)
Nowadays “cheap” is not extremely cheap like 10-20 years ago, that’s why this topic.
I also would go for Sony ES (QS) range to match my amp, but those are more expensive.
I also found Nakamichi BX-150E for £120, unfortunately no answer at all from seller on FB market.
Most of those players above are not serviced (except one) and all are advertised as fully working.
Visually mostly in good/ very good shape.
I plan to use original tapes, and perhaps to make some compilations, not many.
Thus playback quality is perhaps more important to me.
Also direct drive is appealing, but if simple servicing can be done by myself, why not.
No idea about deeper servicing/ upgrade prices and who does it in South Yorkshire, if you have some knowledge, please share.
It perhaps would be best if the deck will be easy to operate, reliable, and no tricky adjustments for various tapes etc.
Maybe you have some decks to offer too.
Thank you for the comments.
the aiwa was fairly decent.. 3 head if memory serves. seems its been serviced so if done right it would be good. ive still got a denon front tray loader; denon stuff was decent too
I think Yamaha cassette decks are a good option secondhand. They are solid decks and tend to go under the radar so often a bargain.
Wakefield Turntables
26-12-2023, 10:39
Just remember that its going to be hard to get these things fixed if they break.
Just remember that its going to be hard to get these things fixed if they break.
Yes, that’s why it should be too expensive. That it can be replaced..
the aiwa was fairly decent.. 3 head if memory serves. seems its been serviced so if done right it would be good. ive still got a denon front tray loader; denon stuff was decent too
Thank you, yes, I did some research, from price point, the humble Denon DR-M10 might be sufficient for me. Probably not many people have experience with direct comparison of it and let’s say higher range DR-M22 or newer or other models from list. All of them are tempting, perhaps direct drive ones from Technics also - without problems with belts.. hard choice. If working, but actually unknown condition, would I be able to service it or would it needs to go somewhere for servicing/ adjustments.. additional costs for unknown money. Only DR-M22 is one I can go and check it before purchase. If it would be for £50, I would go for that one..
I think Yamaha cassette decks are a good option secondhand. They are solid decks and tend to go under the radar so often a bargain.
Yes, the people say they are good. I just have a little inner prejudice based on other middle/ lower range of Yamaha other components like CD players and amplifiers.. from what I had chance to listen to.. Like other brands, there is logical compromise in quality/ performance ratio going down from top products. While top ones can be amazing, the compromises down the line can be too much.. that was my feeling regarding Yamaha, who knows, maybe it’s just me..
there is a serviced aiwa ad f450 on ebay that looks in decent condition for a ton,, only 2 head but its hard to get a 3 for anywhere near that kind of cash even now.
AJSki2fly
26-12-2023, 12:24
I think these were not bad, actually pretty good, if you can go to £200
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225931187181?hash=item349a8c53ed:g:txkAAOSwTrNliPp Z&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0A%2FVvutUa64vVZYJlf9UfRD9m%2 FBKm%2BQWvehQjPIF21Maufp45c60g%2BCP%2FoWfmexDFW5jo Z%2FLO%2Bu1SBwdLP4ywGJyw1E0VayfrB6YAh5gO7rdO%2FGYO NUjbSxhFK3JvnFUGp610a35oZO6%2BW0t6Vg1kfqiJGgnrhP6c ZqwSmS2pI2ceF%2BHzcOtiugLQtoBILjMw9aQJyO6UPMllBZfH oSmMMLiiPGJr4Cym00hx2KvO9ILSnrgyNUCR1A2ihzj4oL8g2S TRL%2Fm9UvEx%2BGqOE11aG8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8Tj9eCUYw
See https://www.hifidatabase.com/Technics_RS-BX606_2018.php
and
there is a serviced aiwa ad f450 on ebay that looks in decent condition for a ton,, only 2 head but its hard to get a 3 for anywhere near that kind of cash even now.
Yes, hard to find anything serviced for that price. The servicing adds roughly £100-200 more to unserviced decks, in this case less then that. I guess I need to go with unserviced one, and if I will like it, then look for next solution..
Thank you, will think about it..
Pigmy Pony
26-12-2023, 15:49
My recommendation would be JVC's DD5. Solid build and looked super-cool with its 'blocky' level meters. I had one from '82 till '96, then sold it and got an Aiwa 3-head jobbie. Wish I'd kept the JVC, I would have sold it for peanuts.
The only cassette decks I have used were/are an old Sony machine, whose model number I have forgotten, and a couple of Nakamichi decks which I still have (a BX-2 and a BX-125E).
I would recommend either Nak, but good samples are sadly out of your price range.
Might I ask why you want a cassette machine? Is it to make up your own tapes for, say a party - if so a CD burner might be a better option.
The only cassette decks I have used were/are an old Sony machine, whose model number I have forgotten, and a couple of Nakamichi decks which I still have (a BX-2 and a BX-200E).
I would recommend either Nak, but good samples are sadly out of your price range.
Might I ask why you want a cassette machine? Is it to make up your own tapes for, say a party - if so a CD burner might be a better option.
had a nice sony top loader console type cassette.. not sure the model but it worked very well. wish i'd kept it
Wakefield Turntables
26-12-2023, 18:06
Yes, that’s why it should be too expensive. That it can be replaced..
You mean it "Shouldn't be too expensive". :)
You mean it "Shouldn't be too expensive". :)
Yes, my mistake..
Thus I went for Denon DR-M22 at the end.
The deck is not in bad shape for 38 year machine, some scratches on top and sides.
Front panel is clean including door glass, and as far I could see, inside door mechanical components look good.
The seller had also Nakamichi DR-3 in very clean condition, and I did some playback comparisons.
The Denon was probably used more often and evidently manipulated with less care. But he said he never had any problem with it, unfortunately last time it was serviced about 20years ago.
The guy bought the Denon new in around 1985. Then couple of years after that the Nakamichi, also new.
The tapes he had were exclusively recorded on both of these decks, no original tapes.
The gear he had, was Cambridge Audio Edge preamp, huge Krell power amp and B&W 805 speakers, as his 2nd system..
Anyway, the reproduction from Nakamichi was cleaner a little, and also transport of Nakamichi much quieter.
I bought the Denon for £80, as it sounded good. Plus some tapes.
At home I could still hear a little “noise” from mechanism. I guess that would be possible to reduce by servicing, cleaning/ lubrication etc. I will try to find more info how I could do some work by myself.
But sound wise, I am quite impressed how it sounds.
Dynamically it is good performer. Bottom end is a little bit softer (but deep and rich) which is pleasing experience. The trebles are good even with dolby On, and there is sense of airiness.
The signal/ noise is also good to these ears.
Overall smooth and clean presentation. “Sweet” is what I was reading from some people describing its newer siblings DR-M-M24 and 44HX. Means it probably holds this family sound.
I think it’s a lovely machine.
https://theartofsound.net/forum/blob:https://theartofsound.net/0a1af378-ae7c-4cc2-9fe8-a90f8f3a484c
decent 3 head machine. well done:)
rigger67
27-12-2023, 13:40
Keep an eye out for a TEAC.
I've had mine for thirty years and it's still going strong.
Thank you. May I ask what Aiwa model replaced the JVC? What was better on JVC?
I have searched and D55 model is out of my range, more like £250-300, but one available is serviced. There is also A55 model for quite cheap, but no idea what differences are there. And I think the people like V662 model too, unfortunately that one is also close to £300. There is one double deck W55 on eBay for cheap. Has it got something to do with D55? One can be confused with those model numbers..
Thank you for advice, just it’s too general. I guess all major manufacturers had plenty models in various ranges, some very average, some excellent..
The only cassette decks I have used were/are an old Sony machine, whose model number I have forgotten, and a couple of Nakamichi decks which I still have (a BX-2 and a BX-125E).
I would recommend either Nak, but good samples are sadly out of your price range.
Might I ask why you want a cassette machine? Is it to make up your own tapes for, say a party - if so a CD burner might be a better option.
Probably a nostalgia. When I was young in 80s, I used to borrow CDs and record them on cassettes, then listened them on walkman. Then in recent years I tried vinyl and bought many LPs (music I was listening when I was young). Then it started to occupy a lot of space and it required a lot of attention to keep them clean, in addition to not perfect condition of records sometimes. Then I gave up vinyl, and sold most of the records. Nowadays the prices are high, the cassettes are more affordable. The CDs are fine, but still there are memories how I listened to that era music during multiple occasions. Also tape recordings from radio was absolutely first step for me, and songs from that era would be nice to listen to using the same media. And so on 🙂
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