cue Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 Anybody out there can help me please? I am looking to purchase a tape deck to play all my long forgotten tapes. There are 2 on ebay I am interested in and I was wondering if anyone knows which would be the better one to buy? Luxman K 111 or Denon DRM 510. They both are around the same kind of $$
Prana69 Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 (edited) Only your ears can tell you which is the better buy. But I guess being ebay you can't try before you buy. They are both 2-head designs. You'll pay more for the Luxman name, but Denon gear is very good quality. The most important thing with a tape deck is the condition of the belts and the heads. Both of those decks are over 20 years old. There are not many decks whose belts can survive that long without stretching or disintegrating, especially in Australia's extreme climatic conditions. Ask the sellers if the belts have ever been changed, and if the Play, FF and REW functions all work and spin strongly. Also check that L and R channels are output equally. If you want a quality tape deck you'd be looking at Nakamichi, Tascam, and some high end AIWA models. Expect to pay from $200-$600, depending on Model. Check out Vintage cassette for further info: http://vintagecassette.com/ D Edited June 16, 2014 by Prana69 1
User Name Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) DRM-510 is an old deck (1991). I reckon you could do better than that. They still have mechanical counters -- or you want the retro look? Is it this one in Wacol? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Denon-DRM-510-Tape-Cassette-Player-Recorder-/251548764198?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a91798826#ht_7082wt_1135 In my opinion, $75 is too much for a deck that old, espeically one that wasn't very expensive in the first place, but I guess he does have a 14-day return policy, and if you're in Qld, your "pick-up" options might be limited. I wouldn't pay more than 40 bucks for another used 2-head Denon, because, from my experience, they're a bit hit or miss. I've had four or five 2-head Denon decks. They're fine for a few years, but then the heads seem to lose something, no matter how much I clean them. The first one I had was a new DRM-555, which was great for a while (especially for the price; and it copped heavy use), but it eventually lost clarity, then the mechanics started dropping off. Among other decks, I currently have 2 DRW-580s and a DRW-695, all from Ebay. The 580s are ok, but the heads were half-shot on the 695, which was obviously disappointing. I considered returning it, but it would've been a tough case to agrue because, while it sounded crappy on slightly used tapes, the sound was just passible on brand new chrome tapes. I've bought some decks off Ebay that have lasted only a few weeks, some for a couple of days, some only a few hours, and a couple that didn't work at all!! I only bothered returning one, because it was 70 bucks, but the others were so cheap that it wasn't worth the time or petrol money to return them. After my Ebay experiences, I wouldn't pay more that 20 bucks for a DRM-510; maybe a little more if I could test it first. The best "Ebay" deck I've had in recent years is my Yamaha KX-380. There are possibly better decks on there, but I bet you'd have to pay at least 3 times as much to get them. The Yamaha even beats my 3-head Nakamichi DR10s and DR2 for crystal clear highs, and I'm talking very high highs. : And it craps all over my other decks by so far that's a joke (Sonys, Pioneers, Teac and an identical Tascam 103). Granted, my Nakamichis have had a lot of work, but still, the difference is very noticeable. I've never had a Luxman. Edited June 17, 2014 by User Name 2
cue Posted June 17, 2014 Author Posted June 17, 2014 thanks a lot I have opted to sit back wait with my eyes wide open for a better opportunity. there is a Taskam 122 on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201107025803?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649%C2'> would you have any advise on this one? 1
User Name Posted June 18, 2014 Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Yeah, good idea. What year Tascam? Yep, they're quite good, especially the "big", heavy duty ones, but, like pretty much all of them, it depends how old and how much use it's had. I've only had one cheaper Tascam (103), and it was fine before the inputs farked up (another Ebay "mishap" ). However, I've been told that Tascams have a reputation as being built for "robustness" and durablity for being shipped around in music racks with bands (in the "old" days), rather than for pure loungeroom listening pleasure. This could be BS for all I know. If you wanna read more, there's lots of chat on Tapeheads and Audiokarma http://www.tapeheads.net/forumdisplay.php?s=dae09885a98f481522c3d6a6d7ae9033&f=6 http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=157 Edited June 18, 2014 by User Name
Green Wagon Posted June 18, 2014 Posted June 18, 2014 revox / studer, tandberg, nakamichi (carefull, certain models only)......
User Name Posted June 18, 2014 Posted June 18, 2014 ^ Yes, it'd nice to have some 'exclusive' high-end stuff like that, but I get the impression that they might not be in this person's budget
danter Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) If your in Sydney I can give you a deck so have something to use until you find what you are looking for. Saves rushing about. Marantz sitting around doing nothing so better someone has it and uses it. Edited June 23, 2014 by danter
cue Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 thanks for your offer but unfortunately I am in mooloolaba - a bit too far to come down for a tape. But I had the same thought and scored a technics tr 373 in good condition for $5 on ebay. Now I have time to find excactly what I want. Thanks again!
danter Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 Barganza! Another option to consider is the higher end Pioneers. Something like the CT-F900 upwards. Very cool looking decks with decent sound. Have the 950 myself. Hardly ever play cassettes but it is so cool to look at and was lusted after when I was young (yep, cassettes were about). 1
Al Leece Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 If you can find them, Nakamichi are the gold standards but they probably ain't that cheap even now and are as rare as hens' teeth. Denon decks are excellent, however, but I am biased - I have a 740 myself: I loved the sound of it and especially its ability to play older cassettes recorded on a variety of other different decks. Good luck with your hunt and enjoy getting back into your tapes. And the memories of when you recorded / obtained them.
Recommended Posts