Bargain corner

Posted by: Andrew L. Weekes on 13 December 2001

Are Nakamichi back into making tape decks again?

Puzzled?

I picked up a Richer Sounds catalogue, for a friend you understand wink, and found they currently have Nakamichi DR8 two head decks for 199.95 ukp (were 549.95!), and DR10 3 head decks for 299.95 ukp (were 799.95!).

Could be bargain for those die hard analogue types that haven't gone digital (or those like me who don't have CD players in the car frown )

Andy.

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Craig B
The DR8 single capstan 2 head and DR10 double capstan 3 head models have been around for a good few years now. Richer Sounds may very well be discounting the remaining tail end stock however, both decks are still listed on their website at http://www.nakamichi.com

Were I in the market for a Nakamichi deck, I would most certainly buy used as, like Naim's earlier offerings, used Naks offer amazing VFM. The earlier Dual Capstan Diffused Resonance Transport(tm) models were definitely the best. Barring excessive head wear (relatively rare), all that these older Naks generally need is a new pinch roller, drive belt and recalibration to sound new again. Unusually, for a Japanese home electronics firm, Nakamichi still supply parts for most models.

I still love my old LX. It just doesn't sound like a cassette deck. Recordings that I have made of live broadcasts via the NAT02 sound quite natural and yes, live. I can still quite clearly hear the differences between source components that I recorded from almost 20 years ago! Tapes that I recorded on in 1985 using a friends early LP12 Valhalla have that lush warm sound so characteristic of the old Linn yet get the timing right in the very same way.

BTW, the only recently released Nak items that I have noticed in the shops lately are B&O like lifestyle micro systems.

For details on early models and more check out The Unofficial Nakamichi Cassette Decks Resource

Craig

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Eric Barry
These were closed out in the US this spring, with similar prices, I think $400 on the three head model. Harvey Electronics in New York had 'em. They may not be as good as the "classic" Naks, but they are still damned good at the price, and you don't have to deal with finding a good tech to refurb. Plus the older decks ain't that cheap, at least on ebay.

--Eric

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Rico
Ha ha, nice one, Dugby. Nah, Andrew actually was speaking of an XC Ford Falcon. Hence, it never leaves his driveway - only a long interconnect is required.

Now, a Holden would be another story altogether...

and then thre's Leyland's contribution to this motoring saga...

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio