Nakamichi Dragon - help needed

Try www.bowersandwilkins.co.uk are service agents should be able to answer your questions.

Howard

Thanks Howard - I knew I would get someone who can help me here!

Nakamichi makes great tape decks,I used one many years ago. Enjoy

Life is analogue

Can I second the recommendation for bowers and wilkins.

I have had my ZX-7 serviced there three times, all very professional, with itemised service bills, and lovely sound always.

Get to see the man in the brown coat from the workshop, not the spotty Saturday assistant.

DS

OTD - DJ Hell = Like That....

Wolf and David
Can only agree they did a tune up of my BX-2 ages ago and it was chalk and cheese.
Martin

Hi all,

I have posted a question to B&W and waiting for an answer. I noticed on the back of these cassette decks that there is a blank cover which is secured to the rear by two philips screws. Could it be that this cover is hiding a voltage selector? Does anyone know?

Nigel

I don't really know anything about this deck but be careful to check if there is a difference between 50Hz/60Hz versions and not just the voltage. [I had an old Akai deck years ago and it had a pulley selector to change mains frequency -- none of this applies with crystal locked or DC motors].

James

Got the response from B&W (they sound really good) and they reassure me that this is not a problem and will actually be quite cost effective. They also assured me that they do not foresee any problems with future support of the product over the next few years!

I've ordered the unit (Dragon) and it'll be here next week! Question is does anybody know where I can borrow a users manual?

Nigel

I have a Users Manual for the Dragon and would be willing to make you a copy early next week if you can wait until then

Let me have your address

Eddie Pugh
eddie.pugh@dsl.pipex.com

Eddie,

Thanks. I have sent you a private email with my address. Look forward to receiving it!

Nigel

Hello

My Dragon has a power selection switch at the back. It came from Germany, buy I don't know if the USA one's will have this option. I may be just a European power selection thing.


I friend did exactly the same and converted a CR7 for USA to UK power. He got the UK transformer (the last one) from Nakamich USA. Bower and Wilkins serviced it and changed the transformer over.

Paul S

Paul,

Although I have not seen it, I have been told by the previous owner that the rear panel displays 110/220V 50/60Hz. Also there is a cover held in place by two philips screws in close proximity to this. My guess is that you take the cover off, move the switch over and then you're ready to go. I have contacted Bower and Wilkins and they tell me that they will be able to help me sort this out if this is not the case. Is your switch covered by a blank plate held in place by two screws?

Nigel

Nigel

I think the switch held in place with a plate and two screws. The plate holds the switch in place so it can't be moved without removing the plate. The switch is exposed to the back.

I seem to remember from the service manual that there are different configurations for different countries, but I can't remember the details.

I can have a good look this evening at the my Dragon, operator and service manuals and give you some more info.

But it's sounds like the unit is switchable from US to UK power.

Paul S

Looking at the front of a Dragon - you're going to NEED that manual

Hope it works well when you get it I'm just drooling in anticipation of a Nak DR2 that I should have in a couple of weeks...

__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.

Paul,

Thanks for your input and looking at your service manual this evening. I was thinking of trying to get hold of a service manual - sounds like it might be a good idea! Anyway, look forward to your next posting on the switch configuration. BTW - Nakamichi North America told me that their decks aren't switchable and recommended getting a voltage stepdown transformer instead. Can you believe that?

Nigel

Hello Nigal

My Dragon is switchable from 120V-220V/240V, as the voltage sticker states on the back.

The manual states 100, 120, 120/220-240V.

The service manual indicates that is was switchabe for (Others) so not (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan and 220V Class 2).

So as mine was from Germany and hence switchable.

The switch is mounted on the backplate and held in place two screws, one of the screws is used to hold a plastic plate in place, to stop the switch from inadvertent operation.

The service manual show a blanking plate is present if not switchable and is held with plastic rivets (not screws) as there is no switch to attach too.

So, I still reckon yours should be switchable, as you have described screws and not rivets and you have a sticker stating both voltages.

Paul S

Nigel

I also have a manual - and various other bits of Dragon-related literature – if you want copies.

I have owned one of these machines for 18 months and can vouch for its stunning quality. I think the CR-7 just has the edge on recording, but Ye Olde dragon trounces everything on playback IMO.

Kevin

Paul,

Thanks for looking. This is a picture of the rear of the deck (I don't have it yet - coming next week). It looks to me as though this has a switch on the back with a protective plastic (presumably reversible) cover to prevent the user unwittingly changing it during operation. The previous owner assures me that there is also a sticker with 120V-220V/240V pasted next to the switch. It looks also as though the deck doesn't need earthing either. I have seen pictures of other units and they appear to have a blank plate with two rivets in it as you describe. I think that I have the right unit then!
Kevin - thank for your offer of a copy of the manual. I think that Ed will pull through although I will send you an email to see what other interesting pieces you have.
This machine represents the fulfilment of a teenage dream to own the awesome Dragon. I am told that the recording ability of the CR-7E and this are the same. The difference, I am led to believe, is that the CR-7E is more automated whereas the Dragon definitely relies on manual setting to get it to sound right. NAAC probably isn't of much relevance to me as I don't have much in the way of prerecorded material. I am buying this because I want it sitting proudly next to my Naim and also because I will use it to recorde music for my Denon DR-M44HX (another fine cassette deck although not in Nakamichi's league) into my humble Nait 1 for my second system in the office.

Nigel

Paul,

Thanks for the info. Here is a picture of the unit's rear. You can see the switch with a plastic cover (presumably reversable) to stop the user unwittingly switching it when in operation. I don't have the unit yet but the previous owner assures me that this deck does have a sticker that you describe. It also looks like this deck is not earthed (see mains cable).
Kevin - thanks for the offer. I think that Ed will pull through but I will send you an email to see what other goodies you have that I may need a copy of. I am told that this deck is the most stunning ever produced. The mighty CR-7E is touted as being as good on recording and more automated versus this legend.
When this deck arrives it will sit proudly in my Naim system and fulfil an adolescent dream of owning one of these. I will use the deck to record for my other deck (Denon DR-m44HX) which play into my humble Nait 1.

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers,

Nigel

Hello Nigel,

I hope you enjoy you new deck.

I recommend you get B&W to service it to get the most from it.

They did a good job on mine.

There is no earth on the Dragon. I replaced the mains cable with a Russ Andrews, but have not connected the earth yet.

The Dragon has automatic calibration on play back, it's the CR-7 that requires manual playback calibration every time. If you use the same tapes to record with, calibration is not to arduous. I just give my TDK MAXG's a quick cal every time I record.

Paul S

PS I made a infra red remote for mine.

Just seen the pic.

Yes thats the switch an the back and it's set to 120V.

Paul S