The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[walpurgis]

I seem to recall chrome tape had a reputation for wearing out heads.

[Marco]

I thought the same about Chrome tapes. But I guess it's a matter of taste.

Sure, but not for me, with the good ones. In that respect, I found the 'sweet spot', in terms of era, was from the late 70s to late 80s. The best chrome tapes from that period, for me, were very good indeed. The formulations just seemed to be spot on

You mentioned TDK D, which originally were superb (for a Normal position tape). I don't rate the more modern ones at all, but these are my favs (and best sounding examples) from my collection:



That one's from the late 70s. This one's from the early 80s:



And of course, for best SQ, the shorter the length of recording time the better, so that the tape isn't too thin

Marco.

P.S What do you think of the Tandberg?

[Marco]

I seem to recall chrome tape had a reputation for wearing out heads.

Didn't know about that, Geoff. I've certainly never experienced any such issues.

Marco.

[Barry]

I cannot comment on Tandberg cassette decks, but I hold their reel-to-reel machines in high regard. I used one in anger for a 24 hour non-stop recording session of friend's LPs just before I left University and thought it to be, IMO, superior to the rival Akai 4000. So given that, I would imagine your cassette machine to be similar.

Regarding aesthetics, I do prefer front loading macines over the top loaders.

[Marco]

Interesting, and yes I think you're right, as was Martin, when he said that Tandberg were a 'cut above'. For me, in terms of cassette decks, they're right up there, SQ wise, with Nakamichi

Btw, you can use the one I have just as easily vertically - and so it becomes a 'front loader':



It can even be hung on a wall.... Apologies for the music!

Marco.

[Barry]

'Naks' are an "obvious" choice, as are Rolex in the world of wrist watches. But there are some other 'sleepers' out there (as I'm sure Alex Nitikin (?) would acknowledge) - one of which would be (IMO) the N.E.A.L (British made and also favoured by Julian Vereker of Naim fame). It too was a top loader, as were most of the '70s designs.




As far as aesthetics are concerned, I've always liked the looks of the Nakamichi 700 and LX5 decks.


700





But before we get too partisan about it all, I should say from my point of view, I have never regarded cassette as being a prime source, only a convenient and sufficiently good means to make recordings and copies. But in considering the recording quality achieved from using a tape of one half the width of that used in R2R machines and running at one quarter of the speed, it is an acknowledgement of the remarkable improvements in tape formulation made by the Japanese. Remember, Philips only ever considered the medium to be used for 'dictaphone' duties.

[Marco]

I like the NEAL (and yes I knew that they were widely used in the likes of Police stations, for doing interviews), but the other two don't really do it for me, aesthetically. A bit too 'B&O', in terms of styling, which isn't really my thing.

Yes, I agree about Naks, but I was mainly talking about sound quality, as for me they were one of the few companies who managed to elevate the (as you say humble) cassette tape veritably to a high-end audio music source.

I must've been luckier than you then (or perhaps willing to spend more on the best blank tapes), as I've always been able to get tape to sound top-notch, and almost as good as CD, given a good enough sound source, a quality deck, and painstakingly anal attention to detail, in terms of the recording process (I can spend the best part of 30 mins, for example, simply getting the levels right for ONE album).

Therefore, that done, for me cassette tape was definitely more capable, sonically, than stated by your experience - and this Tandberg is living up to the same type of promise, plus I know there's still more to come!

Marco.

[Barry]

Styling and 'looks' are always a matter of taste. As the French couturier Coco Chanel once said: "Style never goes out of fashion".

I do like the clean looks of B&O and Braun audio equipment; often unfairly dismissed as "Habitat HiFi". But then I also like the "laboratory chic" looks of some Ferrograph and EMT gear.

[Marco]

Well, I *love* Braun, Ferrograph and EMT gear - I'm just not a fan of B&O, or anything else that resembles it... So we have some things in common, in that respect.

The NEAL tape deck above is, aesthetically, the antithesis of the Naks you posted, and rather more representative of 'industrial chic' (or something that looks like it belongs in a lab), which is more my kind of thing

Marco.

[Barry]

I have no idea of the SQ, but I do like the looks of the B&O 1900:





(Totally unrelated BTW - but I really dislike the use of 'Copperplate' or 'Italic' lettering on any audio gear.)