Looking for a technics cassette deck

[CryptBala]

I have the below mentioned Deck for sale.

Technics RS-TR252 Stereo Cassette Deck

Price is 6000 non-negotiable excellent condition. hardly used it.

 

[jayants]

Jayants are Naks prone to gear failure due to age / wear and tear?
Please forgive my ignorance.

Warm Regards,
Technics_Fan

No!!

It all depends upon how one maintains as thats the key.Any item with age will have its usual wear and tear but NAKs if maintained well surely will live a lifetime without any hiccups.But as I said if u have a Mechanic/Technical person at your disposal it will always come handy in handling such machines.

 

[jayants]

Can you enlighten me on how the Nak transport is superior to others ? Are the gears made of carbon fiber or some other composite material?

Usage of plastic and Nylon gears in the mechanism will make Nak vulnerable to deterioration. Especially when a wrong oil / grease is applied.

I would like to invest on a quartz locked DD machine. I will review your list to understand what Nak has to offer in-terms of the transport and freq response.


Warm Regards,
Technics_Fan

Sir I am not a Technical person who can comment on the above.There are many stalwarts here who am sure will answer your above query regarding plastic and nylon gears.

What I know and believe is Nak is one of the best if not the best as far as Decks are concerned and I have consulted enough in different foras before forming my opinion.And the best part of these 3 Head Decks are each one of the Models are different from the other with some unique features.

Just invest on one and get the feel...................

 

[greenhorn]

from what I know, Nak Transports are fiddly and prone to break easily. The reason why you have such a high nak following is their heads, NAAC etc. The heads will be subject to wear and tear, and NAAC is a tough beast to tame.

 

[jayants]

from what I know, Nak Transports are fiddly and prone to break easily. The reason why you have such a high nak following is their heads, NAAC etc. The heads will be subject to wear and tear, and NAAC is a tough beast to tame.

Sorry but I beg to differ here.

A well serviced Transport will last long.Please remember most of these NAKs are more than 25 years old and it does need proper care.Rubber Belts needs to be changed every 5-7 years.I know of people who are using NAKS without a single issue for more than 7-8 years now.

 

[jayants]

Please note NAK's flywheels are superbly crafted.Capstans are diffused resonance.In dual capstans the diameters of the capstans are different.In many other manufacturers, the capstans are of similar or same diameter causing another noise to pollute music.The difference also help put perfect tension on tape requiring a pressure pad lifter. This causes almost no head wear and assures perfect head/tape contact.

Thats the beauty of a Nak 3 Headers mnainly.

Motor can't be killed.Belts are superbly round from very high quality rubber compounds

 

[greenhorn]

Sorry but I beg to differ here.

A well serviced Transport will last long.Please remember most of these NAKs are more than 25 years old and it does need proper care.Rubber Belts needs to be changed every 5-7 years.I know of people who are using NAKS without a single issue for more than 7-8 years now.

It's not a nak specific thing - most naks are from the 80's or later, and all of them use tiny plastic gear wheels, and the plastic doesn't age as gracefully, or take abuse as nicely as older transports. people have been using decks from other manufaturers also without any problems for several years. That doesn't prove anything

here are some sample gear wheels from a newer transport, with the gear wheels of a Technics RS-M02 in the background.

generally nak transports tend to be even more complex with more plastic linkages, all potential points of failure. They're like the ferraris of the cassette deck world. Very high performance, yes, but keeping them running is a bit of a specialist's job

I've taken apart quite a few technics, sansui, akai, sony decks from the 70-80's periods, and there isn't a lot to go wrong, but even watching nakamichi teardowns on youtube gives me a headache

Motor can't be killed.

You'd be surprised. Bearings go bad/noisy and create instability . the DC servo/speed control sometimes burn up . Motors can go short. if you have a bog standard 12V CCW motor, you can get a mabuchi or a salvaged motor to replace it. else you're on your own. Only good thing is that there is a good nakamichi fan base, so it;s a bit easier.

Belts are superbly round from very high quality rubber compounds

the original ones. NOS rubber belts are useless, and any new rubber belts are made of the same neoprene that is used for every other deck. Only advantage is that some specialists have taken some effort to make sure the reproductions are of proper spec.

 

[jayants]

It's not a nak specific thing - most naks are from the 80's or later, and all of them use tiny plastic gear wheels, and the plastic doesn't age as gracefully, or take abuse as nicely as older transports. people have been using decks from other manufaturers also without any problems for several years. That doesn't prove anything



here are some sample gear wheels from a newer transport, with the gear wheels of a Technics RS-M02 in the background.

generally nak transports tend to be even more complex with more plastic linkages, all potential points of failure. They're like the ferraris of the cassette deck world. Very high performance, yes, but keeping them running is a bit of a specialist's job

I've taken apart quite a few technics, sansui, akai, sony decks from the 70-80's periods, and there isn't a lot to go wrong, but even watching nakamichi teardowns on youtube gives me a headache



You'd be surprised. Bearings go bad/noisy and create instability . the DC servo/speed control sometimes burn up . Motors can go short. if you have a bog standard 12V CCW motor, you can get a mabuchi or a salvaged motor to replace it. else you're on your own. Only good thing is that there is a good nakamichi fan base, so it;s a bit easier.

the original ones. NOS rubber belts are useless, and any new rubber belts are made of the same neoprene that is used for every other deck. Only advantage is that some specialists have taken some effort to make sure the reproductions are of proper spec.

FYI the plastic parts are used for better vibration absorption and that plastic if kept in a place like are supposed to, will last thousands of years.Also, plastic in landfills never degenerate, deteriorate or decompose of goo out like rubber does. Plastic is extremely stable.

NAK specifically created their classic transport with plastic parts for a specific reason.

Plastic damps vibrations better than any metal can. Thats why Nakamichis sound like they do because as they play the sound caused vibration. You can put any Technics or any other decks near a Nak and play/record and feel the difference.Fan following never happened just for the sake of it I guess!

NOS Nakamichi belts are good even today. ESL (http://www.eslabs.com/nakamichi.htm) stores them in a plastic zip lock bag in the freezer to keep them as intended.

 

[Technics_Fan]

FYI the plastic parts are used for better vibration absorption and that plastic if kept in a place like are supposed to, will last thousands of years.Also, plastic in landfills never degenerate, deteriorate or decompose of goo out like rubber does. Plastic is extremely stable.

If the transport is made of plastic then that makes Nak's too vulnerable.
That is true for any full logic deck.
There may be nylon gears too which may be used in Nak I am not sure just speculating.
My limited point is plastic solely by itself does not degenerate like rubber over the years. But when under constant stress and also when getting reacted with the lubricants and the atmosphere it does go bad.

What about the availability of parts if some of the gears / parts go bad? This is probably the most relevant question to me.

And on the rubber belts I don't think that should be an issue when you are buying a full direct drive transport.

Ofcourse we can ignore the build quality here which is a major contributing factor for life of the transport.



Anyways I have made up my mind to invest on atleast one Nak 3 header solely for experiencing it and also for its fan following / fame and all the nice thing I hear from you.
I am already on a quest. Wish me luck.

Warm Regards,
Technics_Fan

 

[greenhorn]

Technics fan, I'd not suggest you lose your faith over this. there are some pretty nice technics decks out there. Pity you're not abroad. I just saw a Technics direct drive cassette deck go for 40 pounds on the locally

If i were you, I'd look for something with a bog standard tranport (1 or two motors) not too much logic ( no program sensing etc) and a really nice head (Akai GX, sony F&F etc)

In my collection, a sony tc-136SD (the oldest deck I have) is the one that ironically sounds the best!

 

[ramram2000]

HI folks,
I am a newbie here and nice knowing everyone.
Interesting thread I am reading here. Well, I am Ram a tape fanatic with an AKAI GX747dbx in my stable accompanied by an array of over 20 + Nakamichi's hooked up to a McIntosh C40 preamp thence to a McIntosh MC300 pumping current to a pair of B&W 801, Series3 monitors.
I have read this thread very interestingly and do tend to agree with Jayants statements about Nakamichi's transport and design of it therein.
I am capable of replacing all belts and am passionate about Nak and their cassette decks. In my world, nothing comes close to a Nakamichi, so much so that I call this "Nakamichi Sound"
I have compared the best cassette decks in the world side by side to a Nak and each time was surprised at how good the Nak was and how much better it sounded as compared to others.
Keep up the conversations and lets have a productive time educating each other!

 

[Selvin]

HI folks,
I am a newbie here and nice knowing everyone.
Interesting thread I am reading here. Well, I am Ram a tape fanatic with an AKAI GX747dbx in my stable accompanied by an array of over 20 + Nakamichi's hooked up to a McIntosh C40 preamp thence to a McIntosh MC300 pumping current to a pair of B&W 801, Series3 monitors.
I have read this thread very interestingly and do tend to agree with Jayants statements about Nakamichi's transport and design of it therein.
I am capable of replacing all belts and am passionate about Nak and their cassette decks. In my world, nothing comes close to a Nakamichi, so much so that I call this "Nakamichi Sound"
I have compared the best cassette decks in the world side by side to a Nak and each time was surprised at how good the Nak was and how much better it sounded as compared to others.
Keep up the conversations and lets have a productive time educating each other!

Warm welcome Ram. Share with us your experience in Nak decks.

 

[jayants]

Welcome Ram!!
20 Nakamichi Decks!!!!!!!!
My head is already spinning??
Would love to hear more from u. Can u please post your views on the Nakamichi Transport vis a vis others about which a debate is already on here.

 

[jayants]

Welcome Ram!!
20 Nakamichi Decks!!!!!!!!
My head is already spinning

 

[Technics_Fan]

FM's and Nakamichi gurus let me know your opinion on a 480Z.
I am being offered one but there is no price tag yet.
I understand that this is a very basic deck and definitely not a TOTL deck.
But it seems to be a good performer based on my research.

Realistically what should be a reasonable price for a good performing 480Z?

Appreciate your thoughts.


Warm Regards,
Technics_fan

 

[jayants]

FM's and Nakamichi gurus let me know your opinion on a 480Z.
I am being offered one but there is no price tag yet.
I understand that this is a very basic deck and definitely not a TOTL deck.
But it seems to be a good performer based on my research.

Realistically what should be a reasonable price for a good performing 480Z?

Appreciate your thoughts.


Warm Regards,
Technics_fan

It's a 2 Head Deck.
Always try for a 3 Head if u have options available.

It's very difficult to suggest a price tag for these models. It all depends on the condition and playing hours it has gone through. In some cases the prices vary within a few hundred dollars even.

Better will be if u tell the offer price and let experts here suggest u accordingly.

 

[Technics_Fan]

Yes I know this is a 2 head deck. I wanted to get a taste of Nak before investing on 3 header which is rather expensive and seldom found.

After talking to the seller today over the phone the person is quoting 4k and is open to slight negotiation. What do you reckon?

Warm Regards,
Technics_Fan

 

[souravin]

I have Nak 480. The sound quality is excellent however on recording perspective this is average. If your goal is only for playback, this would be great- I got it @ INR 8000 a few months back.

FM's and Nakamichi gurus let me know your opinion on a 480Z.
I am being offered one but there is no price tag yet.
I understand that this is a very basic deck and definitely not a TOTL deck.
But it seems to be a good performer based on my research.

Realistically what should be a reasonable price for a good performing 480Z?

Appreciate your thoughts.


Warm Regards,
Technics_fan

 

[jayants]

Yes I know this is a 2 head deck. I wanted to get a taste of Nak before investing on 3 header which is rather expensive and seldom found.

After talking to the seller today over the phone the person is quoting 4k and is open to slight negotiation. What do you reckon?

Warm Regards,
Technics_Fan

At 4k its a steal.

 

[greenhorn]

At 4k its a steal.

+1. if it works and nothing is missing, buy it !