Excelent playback for any tape.

I'm using this deck only for tape2cd transfer. I bought this deck on ebay, as non-working item. I was able to fix most of the problem my self. This was a good and interesting project. No wonder it cost over $2,000 new. The complexity of the mechanic and electronic parts were beyond my imagination. Anyway I end up servicing it in professional shop for $900. They changed transformer (was emitting hum noise @60 and @120Hz), NAAC motor, all belts and other parts. Also, they used NAKs calibration tapes to adjust rec/playback equalization.

And after all that I can say that my $300 TASCAM 122 MK III (that will need service soon) is way better sounding deck than my totally serviced Dragon.

Unless you have other NAKs to play tapes recorded on a Dragon don’t bother. My car is not equipped with Nak tape player so it sounds really bad even on metal tape. Calibration on Dragon is unreliable. Test tone @15KHz is not stable and very difficult to adjust. A tiny rotation cause significant change in the adjustment. The layout of NR filters and In/Out monitor knobs are too small and they do not have visual confirmation on digital readout or on separate indicator like BX and RX models have.

The only strong side of this deck, as I stated in the beginning, is self-adjustable head azimuth that makes any tape recorded on other decks sounding better.
This is the best deck for Tape to CD conversion job. I was able to “preserve” lots of tapes. Also using Cooledit's NR could significantly reduce tape noise. Using other decks leaves no room for NR as they(records) already sounds to bad.

So I'm giving 2 stars for the value and 2 stars for overall
Hope, my review was helpfull.

Tnank You.

Similar Products Used:

TASCAM 122MK III, TEAC 8030S, AIWA 810, many...many other NAKS

Here it is the BEST. This 3 head unit was and still is the best cassette deck made. Bais adjust with automatic azymuth adjustment for the best sound off tapes recorded on other decks. Bi directional play back with one side record for the best tape-head aligment possible. The drive mechanism is superb, with a micro processor controlling all functions. If you can find one under $1000.00 is good shape buy it.

Correction. The best cassette deck ever made was the Nakamichi 1000ZXL produced back in the early eighties believe it or don't. I think the retail price was $3500, $5500 for the gold edition. It was unfrigginbelievable. Any questions.

I am a DJ and I take pride in running the finest sounding equipment. I usually don't use tapes too often, but on occasion I'll need to. I was at a local pawn shop a while back and ran across the Dragon. They must have had no idea on its value because I walked out of there with it for $125. Looking at it and listening to its quality almost makes me feel bad for getting such a great deal. It's truly the best deck I've ever had.

Regarding about DRAGON beeing the best Mike:try first TANDBERG TCD-910 wich probably you can't find it...

I second everything Mike wrote about the Nakamichi Dragon. I've had minesince l984 and it has held up well under lots of use. Many of my friends can't
hear a difference between a CD and a tape copy made on the Dragon when
the two are switched back and forth. I've tried other tape decks (other than
Nakamichi) and never found one that came close to the Dragon in overall
quality. I give it 5 stars.

After living with several Nak's for many years (700, 700 II, 1000 ZXL,MR 1, MR 2, 500 and Dragon) I have to admit that it is the best deck for playing back any cassette that you have done on other decks. Specifically those who wants to enjoy those tapes recorded in High School or College years. This is possible due to the auto azymuth mechanism called NAAC and extended frequency response 20 - 22,000 Hz. But I need to point out that the best deck ever built as well as the best for doing a completely flat recording is the Revox B-215, period. Even the Dragon mechanism looks like an small machine besides a Revox. Plus: Revox service is excellent. Nakamichi service: forget about it !!!! I know because I've been using both decks for 14 years now !

I bought my dragon wayback 1984 and have never sold it because recordings were consistently almost like the source with any tape i've used. I take special mention on the low frequencies recorded during playback which no other tapedecks can achieve. however i have temporarily stopped using this unit for 3 years because of problems with the mechanism. (eating the tape). Hopefully somebody might be able to help me. I have it fixed several times but to no avail. 5 stars for the dragon

Visually striking; 20-22 hz freq. respose; auto azimuth correction; natural, delicate-sounding treble; that pure Nakamichi sound; ability to manually adjust Dolby and recording levels.

None!

I purchased this deck about 3 years ago for about $650
and never regretted it. I sent it off to Nak for a tuneup, and the deck came back in perfect condition, after two attempts to fix tape-dragging and auto azimuth correction problems. Nak in Torrance, CA still has a lot to learn in the way of customer service. Anyway, it was worth the wait, because this deck has performed flawlessly ever since. It is always a pleasure to fire it up and see it in action. It is a feat of mechanical enginerring. These decks are still going on Ebay today for about $1000 or more, depending on condition. I will never part with mine. It will get passed down to my nephews when I move on. Just to give you an idea of how popular this deck is and the following it has created:
Just the other day on the popular TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," the question was asked, "what is a Nakamichi Dragon." One person knew the answer, which got him out of contestants row. The Dragon has really created a legacy for Nak. It's such a shame to see the junk they are currently turning out, now that Mr. Esturo Nakamichi has passed on.
It seems his son, who has since taken over the business, is more interested in buying Ferraris than he is in carrying on his father's dream of buliding nothing but serious machines. Now they bulid for the masses, like everyone else. It's a real shame. I guess they just don't realize the following the had created for the "SERIOUS STUFF." They must think that making serious equipment is no longer proifitable. I think they made a mistake on this and will soon get a rude awakening.
This deck's sound is superior to CD's. It's sound is natural and warm, with no emphasis on any part of the musical spectrum. The only other deck that can match the Dragon in sound and striking presence is the Nak 1000ZXL Limited
Edition. Long live the Dragon!!!
Enough said.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi RX-505, CR-7A, RX-202.

I have been an audio enthusiast and a tape fan for more than 8 years now. In fact I hate all digital formats (dvd-a,
recording quality, built quality, detailed sound reproduction

can't find any spare parts or profesional service

I have been a tape deck fan for more than 8 years now. I hate all digital formats like SACD's, DVD-audio, MP3 and the rest. I was looking for a Nak Dragon for more than 3 years, and I found this one on a private ads section, in a UK hi fi magazine. It came, fully serviced with balanced and thoroughly cleaned heads, instruction manual plus receipt and box. The owner had this one and a ZXL1000!! She was a tape deck fan as well, but was selling them both, because she was moving abroad and did not want to risk sending them by plain or by any other means of transport. The other deck was sold for around $ 1800 to a friend of mine. I travelled from London to Aberdeen (almost 10 hours drive) to view it and then again to pick it up after 2 days (she was actually crying when I left the house) !! It is in immaculate condition and because I am afraid of doing any damage to it, I have kept my TEAC, and I am still doing my main recordings there. The Nak, in almost 18 months has recorded only 3, yes THREE tapes, and I intend to keep it like that.
My advice : If you are a genuine tape fan, buy a Dragon.
Owing one is a once in a lifetime experience. But spend a lot of time in searching for the right machine. I know, I may have paid a lot of money for mine, but it's price is justified by it's top condition. You don't want to have a tape deck like that with virtually any service or parts back up, stuck with you for the rest of your life. Make sure that everything works ok.
Don't listen to anybody else who compares Nak's with Tascam and other high quality brands. They may be excellent decks but the Nak is the legend with the soul.

Similar Products Used:

Teac V 8030 S, Aiwa ADF 950 S, Aiwa excellia