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RE: Need Advice on Cassette Deck Brand

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Personally, I wouldn't buy any of the brands you've listed.

TEAC, Tascam, Nak, Technics (some specific models), and although Alpine made a good deck, but they were mostly "value" models so nothing high end. For that reason I wouldn't pay more than $20 for one.

Fact is, there is no reason why you should settle for anything except a top machine. On eBay sellers really have no idea of the quality of cassette decks, so one that sold for $200 is often priced similarly to a $800 machine. Hold out for premium units only, it won't cost you more as long as you are patient.

Also, there is no need to seek complexity, it only increases the chance you will have problems. So Auto-Reverse is not necessary, and avoid all twin deck machines regardless of the features or who made them. They were not high quality units.

The TASCAM 122 Mk2 and it's bigger brothers are highly recommended, mostly used in professional environments they are sure to have been properly maintained. There are many low-hour units purchased by entities such as Government research and Museums.

The TEAC clones of these decks sell for about half the TASCAM units and aside from not having balanced outputs, are identical.


Edits: 06/02/17   06/02/17

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