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

[StanleyB]

In audio applications leakages are not usually that important.

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[Alex Nikitin]

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DC leakage in 4066 (and ANT4066) could be on the level of few nA. It is not usually a problem in audio with load resistances from 10 to 1000K, at line level voltages of few hundreds of mV.

Alex

[Alex Nikitin]

One more "statement" deck is added to the list of affected by "4066 disease" - EUMIG FL-1000uP.

Alex

[Alex Nikitin]

Some time ago I did a full service and modification on Dave's Technics RS-B965 deck. In its original form it did sound quite horrible, even in a monitor mode - the signal was mutilated even before it was recorded. The playback was not much better. I had to remove 6 muting transistors from the line inputs of this deck and replace all 5 (five!) 4066 chips with ANT4066. The result is very good - excellent, in fact. The deck is now can easily compete with the very best, both in recording and in playback modes. It has a very good mechanics (closed loop dual capstans, quartz controlled direct drive), plenty of features, including dbx NR, discrete PB and REC amps etc. etc. And all this was completely wasted because of a few ICs and transistors! I also tried MM74HC4066 chips as a replacement for 4066, and these are better but not as good as ANT4066. You can listen to the results, if you wish: I've uploaded 3 files of RS-B965 playing back the same tape but using different chips for switching:

Original MN4066B,

Fairchild MM74HC4066N

ANT4066A

All files are zipped WAV 96 kHz 24 bit, about 42 Mb each.

Alex

[Rare Bird]

Anyone meantioned this Nak beater:

http://www.real-audio.ru/measurement...k/tcd-3004.jpg

[anthonyTD]

One more "statement" deck is added to the list of affected by "4066 disease" - EUMIG FL-1000uP.

Alex

hi alex,
i have one of these machines, it came to me for repair about ten years ago, unfortunetly there was damage to one of the long and quite complicated ALPS switches, so it never got repaired and the customer never wanted it back.
it still plays tapes fine, just cant record, shame as its a real master piece of engineering.
regards,anthony,TD...

[Beechwoods]

Anthony, if you ever get to thinking of moving that machine on, let me know. I'd be seriously interested in it as a playback-only deck

[anthonyTD]

Anthony, if you ever get to thinking of moving that machine on, let me know. I'd be seriously interested in it as a playback-only deck

hi nick,
no worries, i also have a neal tape deck which was also a good one in its day!
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[Beechwoods]

I remember you mentioning that Neal deck when we were at Scalford. Neal (or NEAL) - North East Audio Limited - were an offshoot of Ferrograph IIRC. Which model was it that you've got? They made some nice looking decks, IMO. They also made decks for the police - as a kid I remember becoming aware of Neal tape recorders off 'Juliet Bravo'!

[anthonyTD]

I remember you mentioning that Neal deck when we were at Scalford. Neal (or NEAL) - North East Audio Limited - were an offshoot of Ferrograph IIRC. Which model was it that you've got? They made some nice looking decks, IMO. They also made decks for the police - as a kid I remember becoming aware of Neal tape recorders off 'Juliet Bravo'!

hi nick,
yes neal tape decks were often recognised in police interview rooms, ie, the bill, etc!
i cant remember the model as its down a mates house at the mo,but i seem to remember telling you it was your's if you wanted it!
A...