braxus

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Used- Private Sale

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

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Hamilton

Summary:
An amazing machine!! It is exciting in every may. But like my 1990 Saab, everything about it's design is perfect. Unfortunately, repeated trips to the "shop" eventually wore down my enthusiasm. I don't use it much any more. When I do, it somehow still thrills me.

Strengths:
build quality, design, rewind/wind speeds, visceral appeal

Weaknesses:
temperamental tape drive,creased and or destroyed tapes, spent ++$$ trying to fix, finally fixed by Claudio at Brack Electronics in Toronto (smart guy)... still sould mis-aligned with some tapes. Very disappointing for this reason.

Similar Products Used:
nothing compares... but lesser decks used such as NAD, Technics, TEAC more reliable

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Tandberg USA direct

Summary:
Perhaps my favorite artist to test is Yo Yo Ma's Bach's Sixth Suite for Unaccompanied Cello. One is shocked by the deep throat of his Strad up to its towering highs both from vinyl or CD.

The 3014A is unsurpassed in its playback. Testing it, the sound is lively, open, authentic to material copied.

Comparing to the Dragon, something folks have been doing for ages, the Dragon is very strong, but colors the sound appreciably and is not pleasant.

The only hassle is setting up to record, biasing and azimuth adjustment, but the pay off is worth the small pain.

Strengths:
Absolutely the best deck I have heard and played. Exquisite frequency response and depth.

Weaknesses:
Not a one

Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi Dragon and also Tandberg TD 20A SE reel deck

Summary:
Carl, you've been out in the cold way too long-Get a life
It's a good thing you don't own a Tandberg tape deck- It would be such a waste of a great piece of equipment

Price Paid:  $550.00 from used

Summary:
I've owned my Tandberg for ten years. When I bought it I did so because I chanced upon one in the classified section of my newspaper and I had to get it.

Recording can be a bit tedious because everything (bias, azimuth) is manually adjustable. But you are rewarded with an excellent recording which approaches what I think is the best one can get from the medium. Also, the build quality is awesome. It has to be, cheap tape decks don't last ten, twenty years.

In addition, the Tandberg is a beautiful unit which will impress your audiophile and non-audiophile friends alike. It is truly a classic, and for me it was a "pride of ownership product". I'm probably going to sell mine because of the high prices offered on ebay but I'll miss it.

Strengths:
sound, looks

Weaknesses:
set up is a bit tedious

Similar Products Used:
Teac