Satori Apr 7, 2020 21:21:12 GMT 12
Post by foveaux on Apr 7, 2020 21:21:12 GMT 12
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
848 posts
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Pundit
Post by Neil on Apr 9, 2020 17:41:15 GMT 12
Indeed. Saw that. Was going to post the link on my blog thing at some point.
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Pundit
Satori May 23, 2020 8:44:50 GMT 12
- Edited Jun 8, 2020 11:16:10 GMT 12 by Neil
sub and nakmad like this
Post by Neil on May 23, 2020 8:44:50 GMT 12
I picked up an old Nakamichi 480 tapedeck to add to my collection. I still listen to tapes and this was cheap. It sounds great!
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Satori May 23, 2020 10:18:39 GMT 12
- Edited May 23, 2020 10:19:54 GMT 12 by Owen Y
nakmad likes this
Post by Owen Y on May 23, 2020 10:18:39 GMT 12
Our resident aficionado, nakmad, might have some useful comment. Nice, the Nak drive system is the star, I reckon. Early 80s?
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Post by michaelw on May 23, 2020 10:57:38 GMT 12
Not seen Mr Nakmad in a long while...
The 480 is a classic, no-frills 2-head Nak, easy to use and one of the finest sounding decks from anyone. It puts a lot of fancier 3-head machines to shame, including other Nakamichis.
Made from 1979-1982.
I bought a new silver one in 1980. Keep it for 17 years until I found a ZX-7.
A great find Neil.
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Pundit
Satori May 23, 2020 18:34:10 GMT 12
- Edited May 23, 2020 18:36:47 GMT 12 by Neil
Post by Neil on May 23, 2020 18:34:10 GMT 12
Yeah I was really lucky to get it. Only $270, but that included a whole lot of sealed blank tapes including some Sony metal tapes. Its nice and laid back and musical. It even came in its original box and had the instruction manual.
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Post by colinf on May 23, 2020 20:04:25 GMT 12
Nak 480, classic deck. I had one once, although it was only a 2 head deck it sounded clearer than my previous Aiwa F660. I also have a ZX-7 now, cassettes can be good!
AMR-iFi R&D
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Satori May 25, 2020 15:44:23 GMT 12
- Edited May 25, 2020 15:45:34 GMT 12 by Owen Y
Post by Owen Y on May 25, 2020 15:44:23 GMT 12
A lot of those decks will need some TLC now, after 30-40 years.. I was offered a CR-7 (IIRC) once & upon audition, it sounded less Nak-like 'solid' than my lowly BX-2. Still, I maybe still should have snagged it.
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Satori May 25, 2020 17:47:03 GMT 12
Post by michaelw on May 25, 2020 17:47:03 GMT 12
like cranky vintage turntables CR7 was the last great Nak but a bit hi-fi sounding compared to older models.
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Pundit
Satori May 26, 2020 16:13:07 GMT 12
Post by nakmad on May 26, 2020 16:13:07 GMT 12
Our resident aficionado, nakmad , might have some useful comment. Nice, the Nak drive system is the star, I reckon. Early 80s? Yes,80-82 IIRC until replaced with the 48XZ series. All the 48X's are great machines IMHO, greatly underrated because they have none of the tricky stuff of the higher end Naks, but they have a unique 'full' sound which is very endearing. Nak classic transport, so same set of wheels as the mighty ZXL..
Never play Leapfrog with a Unicorn.
Cassette Fetishist
219 posts
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Pundit
Satori May 26, 2020 16:25:46 GMT 12
Post by nakmad on May 26, 2020 16:25:46 GMT 12
Not seen Mr Nakmad in a long while... The 480 is a classic, no-frills 2-head Nak, easy to use and one of the finest sounding decks from anyone. It puts a lot of fancier 3-head machines to shame, including other Nakamichis. Made from 1979-1982. I bought a new silver one in 1980. Keep it for 17 years until I found a ZX-7. A great find Neil. Still a round, and thanks to lockdown a bit more round than when he went into it 😋. Depends on what you like, but for me a preferable machine to listen too than the last few generations of all Nakamichi's, so I agree with Michael
Never play Leapfrog with a Unicorn.
Cassette Fetishist
219 posts
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Pundit
Satori May 26, 2020 16:32:10 GMT 12
Post by nakmad on May 26, 2020 16:32:10 GMT 12
Yeah I was really lucky to get it. Only $270, but that included a whole lot of sealed blank tapes including some Sony metal tapes. Its nice and laid back and musical. It even came in its original box and had the instruction manual. $270!, wow.. not that long ago it was hard to shift a 480 for much more than $50!.. but if fully functional and in good condition as your one looks, then a bargain, as that is key and the price doesnt matter so much.!. I have a few in various conditions my spares rack as at one point you couldn't give them away!
Never play Leapfrog with a Unicorn.
Cassette Fetishist
219 posts
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Pundit
Satori May 26, 2020 16:40:54 GMT 12
- Edited May 26, 2020 17:24:56 GMT 12 by nakmad
Post by nakmad on May 26, 2020 16:40:54 GMT 12
A lot of those decks will need some TLC now, after 30-40 years.. I was offered a CR-7 (IIRC) once & upon audition, it sounded less Nak-like 'solid' than my lowly BX-2. Still, I maybe still should have snagged it. CR-7's have their disciples, as do Dragon owners.. both according to their respective owners the best of all Naks since slice bread was invented.. and I agree, if you like gluten free. Thin, sterile, CD sounding..but detailed, ... less coloured could be argued, observations that could be leveled at most of the Sankyo mech decks. Not as enjoyable to listen to.. Nice meters though. Sound better on protracted listening once you get over your shock from the initial impression! Apologies to Neil for side tracking his thread.. .
Never play Leapfrog with a Unicorn.
Cassette Fetishist
219 posts
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Satori May 26, 2020 17:32:15 GMT 12
Post by Owen Y on May 26, 2020 17:32:15 GMT 12
Thanks & nice to hear from you, nakmad
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Satori May 26, 2020 18:38:09 GMT 12
- Edited May 26, 2020 18:39:49 GMT 12 by michaelw
Post by michaelw on May 26, 2020 18:38:09 GMT 12
welcome back nak
CR's are comparatively clinical, don't get me started on Dragons
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Pundit
Satori May 26, 2020 19:43:13 GMT 12
Post by Neil on May 26, 2020 19:43:13 GMT 12
Sidetrack away! Yeah $270 was getting up there, but like I mentioned, it did come with a whole lot of sealed blank tapes, Sony Metal ones etc etc, and was in box with instructions. Works well and sounds great. At least I know where I can find you if and when anything goes wrong!
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Satori May 26, 2020 23:15:35 GMT 12
Post by colinf on May 26, 2020 23:15:35 GMT 12
My 480 was in good nick and went for $135 about 3 years ago. My ZX-7 was almost new in a box but had developed frozen pinch roller swing bearings from so little use by its previous owner. I pulled the entire thing apart, a sorry and intimidating sight, just to lubricate them, and replaced the belts while I was at it. All working beautifully now, and agree the sound is better than the later Naks, lively and dynamic. The 480 wasn’t totally outclassed sound-wise by the ZX-7 which says how good it actually is. Nice, simple bipolar transistor tape head amp. Lots of electrolytic caps in the signal path though. Given its age now I’d replace them. The ZX-7 also has a bipolar transistor tape head amp. The ZX-9 has a jfet one. I always wondered if they sounded much different, not having heard one.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Satori May 27, 2020 9:33:52 GMT 12
Post by Owen Y on May 27, 2020 9:33:52 GMT 12
It's beginning to look like we may need another Nakamichi thread in our Tape & Cassette department
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Pundit
Satori Jun 8, 2020 9:31:14 GMT 12
- Edited Jun 8, 2020 11:17:13 GMT 12 by Neil
Post by Neil on Jun 8, 2020 9:31:14 GMT 12
New toy on the way....
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Satori Jun 8, 2020 12:29:23 GMT 12
Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 8, 2020 12:29:23 GMT 12
I envy your disposable income.
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Pundit
Satori Jun 8, 2020 14:51:46 GMT 12
- Edited Jun 8, 2020 14:55:09 GMT 12 by Neil
Post by Neil on Jun 8, 2020 14:51:46 GMT 12
I’ve been saving for this for nearly two years! had to sell nearly every spare bit of stuff I had, including the recently built up Garrard 401 I had just finished. Painful to see that go, but consolidation is the name of the game now. And its gone to a good home. I have one or two bits left I will be selling sooner or later... nothing too flash though.
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Satori Jun 8, 2020 15:37:48 GMT 12
Post by Citroen on Jun 8, 2020 15:37:48 GMT 12
Umm, what does this mysterious box do? ie what is it?
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Pundit
Satori Jun 8, 2020 16:05:01 GMT 12
Post by Neil on Jun 8, 2020 16:05:01 GMT 12
It's a dCS Network Bridge. Namely a really fancy streamer. I've wanted one since they were announced, and it was always the plan to get one. A little more commensurate with the rest of the stuff I have. The overwhelming theme I have read is, if you can't afford one, don't listen to one! darko.audio/2019/08/dcs-network-bridge-is-affordable-excellence/
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Satori Jun 8, 2020 16:54:23 GMT 12
Post by Citroen on Jun 8, 2020 16:54:23 GMT 12
Thanks. Serious digital stuff. Enjoy! The overwhelming theme I have read is, if you can't afford one, don't listen to one! Wise words indeed.
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Pundit
Satori Jun 8, 2020 16:57:39 GMT 12
Post by Neil on Jun 8, 2020 16:57:39 GMT 12
I may have also ordered a new cartridge as well.... but I will post about that when it arrives, it is going to be pretty special.
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Satori Jun 9, 2020 8:14:51 GMT 12
Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jun 9, 2020 8:14:51 GMT 12
LOL, love that " I may have also ordered a new cartridge as well" line. Can just see you explaining that to the wife. Well you see love I just accidentally tripped over by the laptop and hit the buy now button on the keyboard.....
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Pundit
Post by Neil on Jul 23, 2020 8:50:53 GMT 12
Temporarily plonked on top of the Nakamichi. Sounds as excellent as all the reports have led me to believe.
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Pundit
Satori Dec 24, 2020 7:28:11 GMT 12
Post by Neil on Dec 24, 2020 7:28:11 GMT 12
Just bought some Vicoustic DC-2 diffusors. The plan is to put them on the ceiling, but I was fiddling around the other day putting them in front of the tv screen. Predictably got some really good results. Will have to buy more! Still playing around with general speaker placement and what not too, but sounding pretty good now.
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Pundit
Satori Dec 24, 2020 17:41:32 GMT 12
Post by raveydave on Dec 24, 2020 17:41:32 GMT 12
Video killed the radio star... but diffusors brought him back? 🤔
“Kill Your TV!”
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Member
Satori Sept 29, 2021 9:16:18 GMT 12
Post by dinho on Sept 29, 2021 9:16:18 GMT 12
Hi, This is my first post and excuse. The English is not my native language. First of all, congratulatios for your grat system and blog. I have an Monbrison and I'm thinking about upgrading to Vosne Romanee. In october/2010 Art Dudley (I was very sad when he passed away... I shared your love for Shindo gear) posted an extremely enthusiastic review about the Vosne Romanee: www.stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/listening_94/index.htmlOn that date, he justified the high price of the VR based on some very good quality NOS components. Beside this, the tubes was: C3m, EF800, 6072, 6189 and 6X4 (rectifier). A few mounths later, the VR has been "updated": New tubes: C3m, 6EJ7, 12AU7, 12AX7 without rectifier tube. (If your VR is dated 2015, I think that is new model, i.e., not the same tested by Mr. Dudley. You could compare that version (tested by Art) with your new version? Would the new version also make AD so excited? And about NOS components? Can still be found in the new VR? Best regards.
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