[Rocket]

Hi Guys,

I have a chance to purchase a Nakamichi Dragon cassette deck which has recently been serviced and is in good condition. Its not cheap but I really want to go back to my grass roots and buy a high end deck. Does anyone have one as I would welcome your feedback? Also, does anyone have an comments about its reliability. Servicing every few years isn't an issue for me.

Thanks for your help.

Regards Rod

[toocool4]

The Dragon has at least one thing that is unique to it and the Nakamichi TD1200 which is a car deck, that is the head. If the head goes, you can only get it from a Dragon or TD1200.

Only a handful of people can properly service a Dragon and most people will not touch it.
Personally I would stay well away from a Dragon, not worth the money. To my ears it has a coloured sound, some people like that. It is not the best sounding Nakamichi out there.
If you want something that sounds better and less complicated, Nakamichi CR-7 is the deck to go for. It’s a neutral sounding deck, it has no real sound of it’s own. It does not put it’s own signature on the recording, it will just sound like what it was recorded from.
Look for a CR-7.

If someone gave me a Dragon, I would not take it. This is only my opinion, other people will disagree, I am sure.

[Phil A]

There's some discussion here and in other places - https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/opinions-about-nakamichi-dragon-repairs.12758/

Many moons ago, I owned a Nakamichi 680 like this one - https://www.ebay.com/itm/145730181129?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=145730181129&targetid=2295557531510&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9011833&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=160536780385&rlsatarget=pla-2295557531510&abcId=9307249&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANNUbmPSV7TkRLyHb2VGtYLENssJPKtwD2wlTJBUOHC0lcr4zCKV5gBoCohEQAvD_BwE

I got a great deal on it (had a friend who worked at a shop which mainly took in used equipment) - I think $300.  My friend had a Pioneer Reel to Reel and wanted the matching cassette deck (which I had) and my Pioneer metal studio rack (I bought the thing, along with a bunch of rack mount kits for Pioneer equipment) from a store going out of business for $90 and got $50 worth of parts from Pioneer to make it as new.

When I moved in the mid 1990s, I gave the Nakamichi to a guy who worked at a local high end audio shop who did me a lot of favors (and coveted it) and it needed a tune up.  Since I no longer played cassettes (I use to make them for the vehicle), I really didn't have a need for it.  I still have a cheapo double Onkyo cassette deck (which hasn't been hooked up in more than 10 years) and a bunch of pre-recorded cassettes (from time to time I tell myself I'm going get something to convert them to files but i never do).

In general, items recorded on a Nakamichi will not as good on other decks (and vice versa) vs. being played on a Nakamichi - e.g. https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/why-do-tapes-made-on-nakamichi-sound-bad-on-other-decks.54984/     That's one of the reasons why I've never gotten around to transfer what I have on cassette.  I also still have my dBX 224 decoder.  Early things I recorder on my Pioneer is in Dolby B and I had a bunch recording on my Teac deck (the first one released with dBX).

I don't know what the purpose is of getting an expensive cassette deck today.  It's something which I wouldn't consider.  Last time I used my Onkyo was probably about a dozen years back.  I had a cassette made from an LP of a demo recording of a song I wrote and I had an outboard CD recorder at the time (and an outboard DVD recorder too) mainly for making CD-Rs for the vehicle's CD changer (which, at that point was seeing less and less use).  My current vehicle can play files up to 24/192 (at 24/96) and I have 3 thumb drives with about 20,000 files in the car.

[Rocket]

Hi Guys,

I appreciate the feedback. I'll pass on the Nakamichi Dragon and see what I can find for a better price.

Cheers Rod

[toocool4]

It's worth looking out for CR-3, CR-4 or CR-5.

[ArthurDent]

In the fwiw dept., if you can find a gently used Nak 581 it's a heck of a deck ('80s). Discrete 3 head, lots of flexibility for recording.  Had mine serviced a couple of years back, required a motor replacement. If I hadn't kept over 100 carefully self recorded cassettes I likely wouldn't have made the investment, but am very happy I did. It's a lot of fun to play those old tapes, which for the most part have held up over time. Still clear & pretty dynamic in most cases. Recordings from both LPs and CDs. I also use it's follow-up deck, Harmon Kardon TD-392, sandwich 3 head in my 2nd system. Another good deck for the day ('90s).

If you've got old cassettes you recorded, or some of the few & far between well recorded commercial cassettes, go for it with any good deck you can find at a reasonable cost. Encouraged by toocool4's posts I've been revisiting the old tapes for the last month or so, and marveling at how good they sound on either deck. Definitely an analog presentation, though the ones recorded from CD are a little more dynamic. Music is as much about having fun with your system & listening as it is anything else for me, but everyone has their own definition of that. I still listen to a lot of LPs, at least as many as CDs. I do have a streaming setup, laptop with all my ripped CDs on an external USB HD, but use that the least. So good luck with the hunt, have fun in the process.

Cheers
JD

[Rocket]

Hi,

Yes hifi is about enjoying music. I have a Naim cdp and a Bryston streamer which I rarely use. I listen to vinyl almost exclusively and my intention was to record my favourite songs and have some party tapes.

Yes I can hear the crackle and pops of my vinyl but I still prefer it to CD's.  I have a line on a Nakamichi CR7 in really good condition and at 50% the price of the Nakamichi Dragon.  I had no idea that the Dragon was so difficult to service and I'm glad I posted and have got some good advice.

I'll let you know what I get .

Cheers Rod

[Rocket]

Hi Guys,

I took TooCool4's advice and I've bought a Nakamich CR7 online. The seller has a good rating on Ebay so I'm hoping it will sound great. If not I have Mike from Liquid Audio who can work on it for me if needed.

I'm considering selling my Bryston BD Pi and Wyred 4 Sound dac to partially fund the purchase.  Why did i buy a good quality cassette deck? I want to record my vinyl and have some party tapes. I'm a bit nostalgic as well and I feel that we were ripped off when we convinced cd was better than vinyl.  I remember buying a Nakamichi OMS2 and spending quite a bit of money for it. Cd's in the 1980s sounded so rubbish compared with my simple rega 2, ortofon mm cartridge fed into my Nad integrated with phono.

Also, I saved a heap of money buying the Nakamichi CR7 compared to buying a Dragon cassette deck.

Thanks for your help.

Regards Rod

[ArthurDent]

Good to hear you found a nice unit. Agree regarding vinyl, something organic about it. Also think it's a lot about what we grew up with, which applies to younger listeners. They've grown up with CDs and streaming, it's what they know, and enjoy. So whatever puts a smile on your face when you hear the music is what's important, imo.

Dig out the Q-tips & alcohol, and the old de-magnetizer, and let us know how the new tapes sound.

Cheers

[toocool4]

Rocket, you have bought the better sounding deck. Feed it some nice cassettes and you will get very good recordings and playback from it.
I feed mine TDK MA-XG’s and it really makes some nice recordings.
You don’t have to feed it expensive cassettes to get nice recording out of it, it can and does make the best out of any cassettes you feed it.
Enjoy your new deck.

Watch this vid by Cassette Comeback, jump to 9 minutes and 22 seconds if you don’t want to watch the whole vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ELDqHmfSM

[Rocket]

Hi Guys,

The Nakamichi CR7 safely arrived today. I have connected the power and it works. I haven't put it in my system yet though. I haven't had a cassette deck for a very very long time. I'm a bit confused how to connect it to my Spread Spectrum Technologies Ambrosia preamplifier and make recordsings.  The back of the preamp does have tape loop outputs but I don't know what they are for.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards Rod

[toocool4]

Looks like your pre-amp has 2 tape loops.

Connect Line-Output from the tape deck to Line-input 1 or 2 on the pre-amp.
Connect Line-Input from the tape deck to Line-Out 1 or 2 from the pre-amp.

[Rocket]

Hi,

I'm still a bit confused as both tape loop are marked as out. So should I connect the tape loop out from the SST Ambrosia to the input of the Nakamichi? I presume this would record whatever source you are using?

And then connect the output of the Nakamichi to the input such as a Tuner (that is all I have left) on the SST Ambrosia?

Thanks for your help.

Regards Rod

[toocool4]

Have a look at the attached image, let’s just make sure we are looking at the same thing first?
If we are looking at the same thing, I have picked T1 as an example, you have both In and Out. If you look at the image, the one circled and labelled line-in goes to your tape deck line-out. The one labelled line-out goes to your tape deck line-in.

You can use either T1 or T2, but whichever one you use has to be the same one for that tape deck. I assume they are labelled T for tape.

Not sure how you selected the source and record on the front, but you need to work that out yourself as I know nothing about this pre-amp.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Okay I can work that out. Just another thing is there a secret in how to open the eject door? I've pressed it and its not opening 

Cheers Rod

[toocool4]

No tricks to opening the cassette door, just push the button and the door will open as long as you don’t have a cassette playing or in pause mode at the time. If you are having problems opening the door, then you have an issue with the unit. Get back in touch with the seller.

Don’t know if you looked at the link, I shared in post 9 above. If not, go to time stamp 14:47.

[Rocket]

Hi,

The problem has been resolved. I have a great technician here in Perth, Mike of Liquid Audio, and we are really lucky to have his services.

https://liquidaudio.com.au

In any case he checked the cassette deck door and it had become misaligned during shipping and he easily fixed this for me. Whilst I had it there he is going to undertake a light service for me. He said the deck is in great condition.

Whilst I was there he was servicing a Kenwood SL07D turntable made during the 1980s.  A serious turntable and would cost a fortune to make these days. I just checked the prices in Australia and they are mid 20k's aud.

Btw I am still a little confused about connecting the Nakamichi but I will contact SST for some advice.

Cheers Rod

[nrenter]

Good lesson for anyone following this thread - never ship a cassette deck with a removable door in place.

[Rocket]

Hi,

It was a relatively simple fix but note taken about sending anything via courier or mail. My technician has completed a service for me and he told me that I've bought a really nice tape deck in original condition which hasn't been molested.

I'm still trying to decypher how to use it with my SST Ambrosia preamplifier.

Cheers Rod

[ArthurDent]

Hey Rod,

So you note you only have the 'Tuner' input available to connect to, presuming toolcool4's image is correct what inputs do you currently have connected to the T1 & T2 inputs ? Any reason you can't move one of those connections from either T1/T2 to "Tuner", to free up one of the Tape inputs ? By using one pair of the Tape input/output loops you'll have the recording monitoring (Mon 1 or Mon2)  selection options available when recording. Really a must have option to check the recording process.

Good to hear it's a solid unit, and you're almost ready to fire things up. Keep us posted.

Cheers, JD