Harmon Kardon CD 191 tape deck

[stripedbass]

Hi,

I am very new to the site so bear with me. If I am posting in the wrong area, please let me know.

There is a Harmon Kardon tape deck in a local used store which I've been eyeing. It's model number is CD 191. The play button doesn't work.

Does anyone know where on the Internet I could go to read up on this model? It's quite old (I think 1982). I would like to know how good it was considered to be when it came out. Do anyone have a link? I've tried to google it but haven't found any useful info.

Thanks!

 

[Rob Babcock]

I don't know a thing about the deck you're looking at, but I suggest you check Ebay. Cassette decks sell there for ten to fifteen cents on the dollar compared to new. A couple months ago I bought a pretty decent Techniqs deck there for $20 including shipping (not a super hi end deck, but honestly I have no use for a tape deck whatsoever- strictly an impulse buy in case I ever need to make a tape for someone).

E-Coustics and Audio Review are both pretty good sites to get pro & consumer reviews of audio & video gear. You might look there for info.

BTW, I wouldn't pay very much for a damaged deck locally without at least checking Ebay. I'd stick to sellers with good feedback, too. Ebay is pretty safe if you keep that in mind.

 

[nadnklipsch]

very cool looking tape decks. i like that whole line of stereo equipment that they have like that. the silver linear. i think you can find it on harmonkardon.com not sure where it took me awhile to get around that site.

 

[cool miles]

Just bought one

Hi,

I am very new to the site so bear with me. If I am posting in the wrong area, please let me know.

There is a Harmon Kardon tape deck in a local used store which I've been eyeing. It's model number is CD 191. The play button doesn't work.

Does anyone know where on the Internet I could go to read up on this model? It's quite old (I think 1982). I would like to know how good it was considered to be when it came out. Do anyone have a link? I've tried to google it but haven't found any useful info.

Thanks!

The dealer spent $65 to ensure it worked properly so I paid $175 plus tax in Richmond Hill Ontario. Harmon Kardon made great equipment back then so I am sure it will be great for my limited purpose.

 

[Dan]

I still have and use one!

I have had one since 1983 and it is still in my main rack although I don't use it that much admittedly. I do have many cassettes I made when I did college radio that are irreplaceable. In about 1990 I had a motor go and it was replaced at a local store in Hartford for about $50. Otherwise, bulletproof and it used to get heavy use for about 10 years. The play button should be a cheap fix if you can find the parts. See if HK can help you.

At the time I think I paid about $200. This was the least expensive deck that offered the new Dolby C. There were four models 191, 291, 391 and 491 which added additional heads and better bias equalization. They had a good reputation. The competition was Nakamichi which was more expensive. You had to pay more than $300 to get a Nak with Dolby C. I had a less expensive Onkyo which failed about two weeks after warranty prior to that. Onkyo made a higher end deck with a built in oscillator for bias equalization that was perhaps the best nonprofessional cassette deck then.

Of more help I STILL HAVE THE MANUAL and could send you a copy if you wish. Good luck.

 

[starfish]

I am the original owner of a Harman Kardon CD-491 tape deck that I purchased for a boat load of money brand new sometime in the late 80's. It is black and is in perfect working condition. This tape deck has seen very little use since new and shows no wear. I tried it out just a couple of months ago and it still makes great sounding tapes. I still have the owner's manual for it too. I am getting ready to place it for sale on eBay, if you would like I can make it available fo sale to you prior to placement. Private message me if interested. I'll be letting her go pretty cheap to make room for some other equipment.

 

[todd allen]

Hey Dan, I'm looking for a copy of the owners manual for my Harman/Kardon Model CD 491.Could you E-Mail me a copy of this manual if you still have it?.I sure would appreciate if you would.My E-mail address is...............................toddallens@yahoo.com....Thanks,Millions

 

[Dan]

D@mn. I could have sworn it was in the original box lovingly preserved in my basement but it ain't there. It's not in any of the other boxes too. I'll keep looking. Sorry. Enjoy the 491.