looking for a decent cassette tape deck

[bryantm3]

all i'm looking for is a good stereo cassette tape deck that has L/R inputs and outputs and i can record stuff on. i would like it to automatically start playing the other side when it reaches the end of the first side, too. but that's about it. it doesn't have to have dolby NR or anything. it doesn't have to be a dual tape deck either, because i don't really have any use for that anyway. any suggestions?

 

[zumbo]

JVC is still making cassette players. I have an old one. Reliable, and high quality.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD1400000&pathId=6

http://www.amazon.com/JVC-TD-W354BK-Dual-Cassette-Deck/dp/B00005AY8S/sr=1-1/qid=1170012096/ref=sr_1_1/103-2025295-7732654?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

More options:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/category/desc/20

 

[Rob Babcock]

Crutchfield would be a good place to look, as would HiFi.com. Decks aren't plentiful anymore, but neither are they rare. Autoreverse is a common feature, but be advised that the azimuth may not be correct when it switches. Just out of curiosity, what do you plan to do with it? Do you have a large collection of cassette tapes?

 

[no. 5]

if you don't mind used, eBay is a nice place to look.
a few years ago I bought a old Yamaha K-40 off eBay for $6, it still works great.

 

[mtrycrafts]

if you don't mind used, eBay is a nice place to look.
a few years ago I bought a old Yamaha K-40 off eBay for $6, it still works great.

$6? and shipping was $20?

I could have sent him my old one, a number of years ago, free.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Incidentally I bought a used cassette deck off eBay the summer before last. I didn't need it, and have no use for it, but a whim struck me and I bought it. No auto reverse, but it is logic operated. It's a Technics, can't recall the model. Currently it's sitting in my closet- I hooked it up to test, and once I verified that it worked I put it away.

My idea was to use it to make tapes for my folks, but in the meantime they decided to take the plunge and get a PC with a CD-R. So much for tapes!

 

[Electone]

Check on ebay for a used Akai GX series deck. Very high quality decks with the classic glass-ferrite heads.

 

[no. 5]

$6? and shipping was $20?

lol, $25

kidding, I think shiping was $3 or something.

 

[Mudcat]

I've got a Vestax MR66, and a Tascam 122 MkII.

The Tascam is the standard for studios (if they still use them). Two mic inputs with individual gain controls. Two speeds.

The Vestax is an interesting animal. 6 Track cassette recorder with built in mixer. Everything at double speed. You can use mics, guitars, keyboards This thing is huge (7 ru high by 19 inches). I'd be willing to part with for $400 shipping included (definitely not a bargain but I rewrote the manual so it is understandable..).

 

[yettitheman]

Heh, Technics M224, not exactly the best deck in the world, but we don't call it "the tank" for nothing either. Many may hours on that deck.

HTF do you demagnitize heads???



Sorry, try pawnshops.

 

[Resident Loser]

Look at...

...TASCAM, the pro end of TEAC...Denon, maybe even D&M Pro, the Denon/Marantz pro stuff and Onkyo...

I have a Marantz SD-4050 dual deck (now discontinued)...Which replaced my TEAC A-650...when it comes time I'm going to TASCAM, which IMHO, are just a better product...

jimHJJ(...FWIW...)

 

[Resident Loser]

With a...

...HTF do you demagnitize heads???...

...specialty tool known as a TA-DA...head demagnetizer...

jimHJJ(...and some minor skill...)

 

[andrew_smith]

Here is a very good site for cassette player buying guide. Has excellent info. Helped me a lot

 

[TapeMaster]

Try to look for a KENWOOD KX-W6020 It's a dual Cassette Deck with dolby B,C,Auto Reverse. Great Cassette Deck I own one.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Cassettes are fun.

If you go to thrift stores, or Goodwill, or second hand stotres, or Salvation Army stores;
you can find a three-head cassette deck for less than $10, or $15 at most.

Get a single door one, not dual, not auto reverse, just a simple three-head deck, with dual capstans and three motors.

Look for brands like: Nikko, Denon, JVC, Nakamichi, Akai, Teac, & Marantz.

* Often, you just have to replace one of the rubber belt (very simple to do and cheap to buy from the internet).

** And if it has stereo mics inputs, you got yourself a recording studio that you can use as a preamp for a CD recorder. So, if you're a musician, it comes very handy. And you can use the Monitor function as a good guide from this three-head deck.

Happy hunting to whoever is looking for one.