braxus

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Private Sale -Used

Summary:
First off I will state this perticular tape deck has been known as the "Dragon Killer", which if anyone doesn't know means it slays in performance what the Nakamichi Dragon can do. This is THE deck to beat any Nak made. Some say this along with the 3014A is the best cassette tape deck EVER made period! Naks have been known to color the sound, while this deck is very faithful and true to the source. It is one of the few decks out there that will give reel to reel performance in terms of the sound it produces. Not many cassette decks can compete with reel to reel tape decks, but this is one that can. So if you must have the best, and only the TCD 910/911 pro models can edge this one out, then the 3014/ 3014A is the one for you. The difference between the original and the A model is the A model uses slightly better capacitors. But apparently the sound difference between the two is slight- if at all different. So if you want to save some money, go for the non A model- as the A models command way more money. The build quality of this deck is excellent. It screams craftsmanship on this deck. The sound is known to be very neutral and transparent. The two features on this deck compare against other technology. Im refering to dyneq and actilinear recording. Not sure what the second is, but Dyneq is similar to HX-Pro. But I'm told the Tandberg version is better executed and works better then HX-Pro. Also this deck has fine bias adjustments for both left and right channels. Most decks only do both channels in one. This is also a Dolby B and C deck, but doesn't use Dolby S which is an improvement. But most will say if you want the very best recordings from this deck, leave Dolby Off. I'll write a followup second review when I listen to this deck for a long period of time. Apparently this deck was quite expensive when new. I've heard figures of between $2000-4000 dollars back when. So if you want a great deck, look no further then the 3014A.

Strengths:
Best cassette deck ever built
Quality parts and craftsmanship- very robust in build
Excellent sound quality from cassettes to rival reel to reel tapes

Weaknesses:
Tandberg no longer in the stereo business
Parts will be hard to get if you don't know where to look
No Dolby S

Similar Products Used:
Aiwa XK-S9000
Sony TC-K909ES
Luxman K-112

Summary:
I have this ancient dinosaur by todays standards because; It has build quality to die for. The sound is warm and palpable. The features are all here too. 3 heads,4 motors,actilinear,dyneq,dolby b/c,azimuth and full cue/review and other programing functions too. Open the top cover and you see the quality here. Large castings for the transport. Flywheels that you could see in a "big block",all discrete,phase corrected electronics,killer main power transformer. The outside is high quality with rosewood end caps, machined aluminum knobs,micro touch controls for the tape modes. Sheer elegance here. It is too bad that Tandberg today has such a low profile in audio today. This deck was part of the answer for the "sucky" audio stuff out there in the late '70s and 80s' too. It sells now for $4000.00 through Jason Scott distributing. It takes 4 weeks to build one by hand. That is if you can still get one. I lucked out,got mine barely used for $400.00. It just needed new "rubber",belts that is and away we go. Killer deck for a time when compact disc was a baby frisbee. Makes my Nakamichi ZX-7 look like a toy. It is "plasticky" compared to the Tandberg. Both were built about the same time too. I like the Nak alot,got that one for a steal too. But the Tandberg just feels like it is going to last forever.