Audiophiles: given the choice between a new Sony cassette deck and an older Nakamichi deck...

[bbernardini]

...which would you choose? I've been offered a Nakamichi CR-4A for about $100, and J&R Music has a new Sony deck for $134:

http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_TCWE475/

Thoughts?

[mikeytherat]

1. The Nak has got to be 20 years old, and the Sony is brand new.

Given that, the Nak could still sound amazing (I have a 22-year-old Yamaha K-222 that still works and sounds like it did on day one) IF the Nak has been taken care of and maintained.

mikey_the_rat

[bif]

2. Interesting dilema

The Nak will make better tapes. But if it needs parts or repair down the road, it could be costly. Just about any cassette player will playback fine. The big difference is in the recording quality. If all you're using it for is playback and transferring/converting music to a digital format, i'd go for the new Sony.

[B3Nut]

3. If the Nak is in good condition

I'd take it hands-down over anything on the current new market. The heads and electronics are much better. The CR-4A is a 3-head machine, and still commands a decent price. If it's in good working condition for $100, grab it. It'll hand the Sony its lunch. Usually the only thing this machine might need would be new belts, though IIRC the 4A was a mostly direct-drive machine. Nak transports are known for being solid, aside from the persnickety Dragon, which can be a PITA unless aligned by a really good Nak tech.

TP