Help a digihead out..cassette playback deck

  • Thread starter Thread starter RFsoundguy
  • Start date Start date
R

RFsoundguy

New member
I've got boxes and boxes of cassette tapes I need to transfer to digital but I have NO CLUE about cassette decks. Can someone please make a recommendation? I need it for playback only. Record might be nice but not necessary. I've got approx 500 cassettes to turn.

My online research is pointing towards a Tascam unit, my friends are recommending a Denon or Marantz.

Help?!
 
High quality component cassette decks usually play & record, right out of the box.

I'm partial to Technics higher-end cassette decks. The vintage ones have Dolby B/C and dbx NR, and the more modern ones have Dolby B/C and HX-Pro.

Some Technics decks I'm familiar with are:
RS-B50 (w/dbx)
RS-B57 (w/dbx)
RS-955 (w/dbx)
RS-B555 (w/HX-Pro)
RS-B465 (w/HX-Pro)

Also, there are some fine TEAC decks,... most of the model numbers I can't remember. :eek:

There's nothing wrong with a more modern Tascam cassette deck, such as the 102/202, etc.

Sony also made some decent decks, and the one that's still available as new/retail is the TC-WE475. Forgive me if I'm mistaken on the model number, but a quick search of Best Buy or Circuit City online should show this one up.

... ;)
 
i've dn-770R. bought it used from local pro studio 8 years ago (or so... ) for 300 bucks . I actually used it allot at some point in the past... and it still running great. it's preatty much two decks in one... if one is dead or problems ... you still have another one. HX-Pro is on one deck though... if that's important. it has B and C, 12% pitch on both, can play/record both deck independently, or record two tapes at the same time. plays back great (honestly I have not done any audiophile analysis of it ;)... just can tell that it sounds great in general).
found on e-bay (you never know what you get from e-bay, but this one is 70 bucks with shipping ..nobody wants it ... few hours left): http://cgi.ebay.com/DENON-DN-770R-DUAL-CASSETTE-PLAYER_W0QQitemZ110013413420
....
the other auction here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Denon-DN-770R-2U-Pro-Rack-Mount-Dual-Cassette-Deck_W0QQitemZ150016353189
*******
as far as new decks, I don't know... have not bought a new cassette deck in years.
 
I have a Teac A-650 and like it very much except the bottom end is a little syrupy. Pretty much any older nicer tape deck will do you good, I had a nice Sansui that I picked up for like $10 and it sounded very nice. Look into a Dual as well, German made nice stuff. In my own humble opinion, I would favor Dolby noise reduction over DBX, I've just never liked DBX that much.
 
Thanks guys, I never would have looked at those models on my own.

Not sure if it matters, but one I get the audio into my PC I'll be running it through the Waves Restoration software for noise/hiss/crackle reduction. Not sure how this plays with the B,C or other noise reduction schemes. It would be nice to be able to turn off all the noise reduction stuff if I needed to. Can you do that on any deck or do I need to make sure I can do it?
 
In general, NR is switchable on most worthy cassette decks.

............. ;)
 
Hmm...
For noise removal when streaming audio to my computer i use Goldwave.

Now with this utillity you get loads of filters that you can use to remove background humming and also hiss noise. Of course hiss and crackle removal is vital when streaming records to computer.
I had to do this on my setup because if i were to record directly from record player to tape i would get a HUGE ammount of accoustic feedback. So i had to do this in several steps.

1. Stream audio from record to Computer - 44100Khz 320KBPS OGG Vorbis format.

2. Open files with goldwave and set noise reduction filters and add que points (1 sec silence before track begins)

3. Record from Computer to tape

This process worked beautifully and the results were very impressive.

P.S Music was recorded at 15IPS - Stereo Track (On my fostex Machine tracks 5 and 6) (Cant use tracks 1 and 2 because output not working on these tracks)

Hope this info is usefull :D

Keith
 
RF,

For what it is worth, I second Tascam decks, simply because they are better built and better sounding...and with 500 cassettes, you need good motors and a reliable transport to do it all.
I used to have a Teac 410 which was a Tascam in consumer disguise, and that thing lasted 18 years with me, including an all-night editing session of audio tape for a friend's 50th birthday slide show.
I just got a Tascam 112 on Ebay, and it is a solid great deck with Dolby B and C and pitch control, just right for your purposes.

Best,
C.
 
iam pretty fond of Tascam machines. Isnt tascam the same as teac ??
been wondering this for a while now.

Keith
 
Yeah.

TEAC = (mostly) consumer
TASCAM = (mostly) professional

... although there was only a fuzzy line between the two.;)
 
ok thanks

I am trying to track down some replacement parts for my teac machine

1. Reel turntable with locking spindle assembly

2. automatic stop control unit for right reel tension arm

so far i have had little luck if any in tracking these items down or findiang any retailers in the Uk.

Keith
 
FWIW, the label on my Tascam FW-1884 says "TASCAM, the professional division of TEAC, Inc." or something to that effect.

I'm seriously considering the Tascam 112mkII or the Sony deck that's available at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.

Is there going to be a noticable difference in the playback between these 2?

Tascam 112mkII
http://www.tascam.com/Products/112mkII.html

Sony
TC-WE475

The Sony deck is $150 everywhere. The TASCAM unit is significantly more expensive. is the cost difference worth it?
 
I would think so as several ppl have told me that most tascam machines are designed to a very high standard.

The teac machine i have is extremely heavy but robust and well built.
It will be even better once i track down the parts i need.

Keith
 
OK, the Sony unit feels cheap - almost all plastic. Looks like a 112mkII it is then.....
 
Yeah, there's no comparison in build quality.

The Sony is modern and light, and the Tascam is built like a tank!! :eek:

I'm still partial to 80's vintage Technics,... which also have that heavy build quality that's indicative of 80's technology. ;)
 
OK, 112mkII is on the way.

Now, what kind of maintenance is required for these things?

Also, some of these cassettes are pretty old and dirty. Is there a cassette cleaning machine I should be looking for?
 
I can't believe nobody likes the Nak's. In my humble opinion, absolutely the finest cassette deck I've ever used.
 
Yeah,... Nakamichi's are "audiophile" from the word "go"!

Ok, not having shopped Nak's myself,... aren't they a bit more rare and harder to find?? (Ok,... maybe a stupid question). :eek: ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top