I purchased an interesting device recently (DCC)

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Whoopysnorp

Whoopysnorp

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Does anybody remember the short-lived Digital Compact Cassette? Well, I got a wild hare and decided to buy a deck on Ebay. I got this model, and the seller included all 33 of his tapes (some of which were still in the cellophane wrapping). I've played around with it a bit, and it's pretty neat. The sound quality leaves nothing to be desired, especially when I record through the digital input from the digital out on my Delta 66. There also seems to be a noticeable improvement when I use the digital output and connect to my Yamaha HTR-5230 receiver. This suggests to me that the D/A converters might not be all they could be. Recording over and over the same spot on the tapes appeared to have no immediate detrimental effects.

I've got the thing hooked up to the equipment in my practice room so I can record my band's rehearsals. I think it'll be pretty cool for that purpose. I can see why Minidisc won over DCC, though, because although seeking tracks on a DCC is just like on a CD, you do still have to wait for tape to wind.

So, does anybody remember this format, or have any useful info about it, or possibly know of any still-existing blank tapes that might be for sale?
 
Whoop,
I remember at one time Radio Shack had there own variety of the same type unit. I almost bought a couple for mixdown but never did. Perhaps there is a R/S distributer who still has the in the catalogue.

Tom
 
I was excited about these when they first came out (never bought one though). I believe it had a better scheme than mini disc and I was surprised that it never took off.
 
I kinda doubt Radio Shack still has any of these in the pipeline. They quit producing the units in 1996 or so. DCC was more popular in Europe, so there are still a few UK tape retailers selling the last of their stock. It's a little pricey though. I'm hoping the tapes I have will last a long time.

I was also excited about these when they first came out, though I was 12 years old at the time and fortunately didn't have access to the money to buy one. I say 'fortunately' because they were on the order of $600-$800 back then, and I got mine + all the tapes for $86. I understand that when they came out they sounded much better than Minidisc, although the latter's compression algorithm has improved immensely. I have a modern Minidisc player, so I should do some comparisons.
 
I still use my phillips DCC to do most my mix downs on. I do a few seperate mixes of the same song and then compare back to back. It was also my main live to two-track recorder for years.

Still quite useful.
 
Mr. Hiro, what kind of luck have you been having with the tapes? I take it you've been using and reusing them. How has that worked? Have you found a point where they've been used so many times that they cease to be usable?
 
I'm going to also say that Radioshack no longer carries them. They're old enough (and oddball enough) that they would've been discontinued/devalued a LONG time ago, and then dropped off the books a year or so later. I *never* found trace of 'em when i worked there. Same as goes for those LX7 monitor speakers (i think that's what they were)... I'd still love to get my grubby little mitts on those
 
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