Last modified
May 15, 2003
To D'Antiques HiFi
Electronics
To Obsolete Media Tape Deck
Resources
This is intended to guide the novice in selection of a tape deck suitable for his/her use. Many decks are available today, but it's important to know the capabilities of each in relation to your needs. We provide tables of model features for the major makers in our Tape Deck Resources page. This discussion explains the significance of those features to the end user. Several models will work for normal applications but some thought is required to narrow the list to a few that are widely available and maintainable. Our recommendations are intended for the US home user and are based on (and biased by) our experience. Professional studio and audiophile applications are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Many who are looking for a tape deck have tapes that Dad (or Mom or Uncle Joe) made back in the 1950's or 60's. They would like to listen to the tapes and/or convert them to a modern format for preservation. Most would be better served by paying for the conversion than buying a tape deck. We provide such services for a nominal fee, as do others who are accessible on the Web.
The open-reel tape format is obsolete for a number of reasons, not the least of which is convenience. Simply loading a tape can be difficult on some models. Decks are large and heavy, as are the tapes they use. They require regular attention to details in order for them to work reliably. Repair facilities and replacement parts are limited, making maintenance problematic for most people. A simple repair often costs $100-$200, not including freight! Serious problems may not be feasible to fix.
Those who use them enjoy their audio quality, which some think is superior to today's digital formats. They are willing to commit the space and time for the devices and enjoy an esoteric hobby that requires discipline and knowledge. If you meet those criteria, read on!
You need to balance these criteria to arrive at the correct decision for your use:
| Things to look for | |
| Available space | physical dimensions |
| Budget | Price |
| Convenience | Reverse play/record; electronic transport controls- including tape speed; twist-lok reel holders |
| Reliability/Maintainability | Fewer features; Mechanical controls; fixed head assemblies |
| Audio Quality | low Wow/Flutter; high S/N; wide Frequency range; higher tape speeds (7-1/2 ips and more); fewer tracks |
| Format Flexibility | more speeds; larger reel capacity; multiple track capability (2 or 4) |
For entry-level users, we recommend the following (all single-motor) models (alphabetical by maker):
For users who want higher quality and/or more convenience features:
For users who want the highest quality (most are 2-Track machines):
There are 4 sources:
Last modified
May 15, 2003