Build Quality, Sound

None

Incredibly good tape deck. Built like a tank. Bias, Dolby level and Record Equalization adjustable. Excellent sound. Better than 99% of tape decks in the extreme-low frequencies. Equivalent to a Nakamichi (!) in the high frequencies. The Dolby S is really a plus : very low noise, and a less "steril" sound compared to Dolby C. I miss only one thing : the very high-speed of the TC-KA2ES. A pity that tapes are disappearing from the stores : I suppose that they were too good, too cheap and it was too difficult to protect CDs against copies on tape. Not good for business. Consumers, wake up, vote with your wallet, buy TAPES !

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer CT-F850, Nakamichi BX-2, Nakamichi Deck 2, Sony TC-KA2ES

Built like the Rock of Gilbralter; Excellent sound, intelligent full logic controls, easy manual adjustments. A first-class design all around.

No remote.

This is a true audiophile three-head, three motor cassette deck with Dolby B, C and S noise reduction, and manual adjustments for tape bias and equalization. The deck is built like a rock, uses full-logic controls, and comes with a five year warranty. I have never owned a Nakamichi tape deck, so I cannot compare this deck to the "Nak sound" referenced by a couple reviewers. I'm not sure the Nakamichi experience is relevant, however; I understand that Nak tapes do not reproduce well on non-Nak decks because of the unique tape heads used in Nak machines -- this would defeat one of the reasons many of us still make tapes (for use in cars). What I can say about the sound is that when using Dolby S noise reduction and either Type II or Type IV tape, I can produce a recording that is virtually indistinguishable from the source material. I have used this deck to record classical, jazz, musicals, opera and movie soundtracks from both (1) LPs I do not want to play too often, for fear of causing wear, and (2) from CDs to created "Best Of" tapes for casual listening at home and in the car. In both cases, switching back and forth from the source material to the tape in real time demonstrates that there is no audible difference between the source and the copy. The manual equalization and bias controls are easy to use and optimize with the built-in test signal. The Dolby S-encoded tapes work well in my car deck with a Dolby B decoding circuit. Because this is a three-head deck, there is no auto-reverse feature. Also, there is no remote control, a bizarre omission in a deck this expensive (others have reported that an inexpensive universal remote preprogrammed for SONY recievers will work, however). The bottom line is that this deck is as good as it gets, if you're not in love with the Nakamichi sound (and assuming that the difference is real, and not imagined)or don't want to fret over maintaining an out-of-warranty Nakamichi classic deck, for which both parts and repair expertise are scarce. My guess is that this is quite probably the last true high-end cassette deck that Sony, or anyone else, will ever make. Nice to see Sony ushering out a fading medium with style and grace. Associated equipment: Pro-Ject 1.2 Turntable SHURE V15 Type VxMR cartridge Audio Experience Concerto Phono Preamp Audio Research LS15 Line Preamp conrad-johnson MF 2500 Power Amplifier Carver and Sony CD Players Thiel 2.3 speakers

Similar Products Used:

Sony Dual-Well ES Deck with Dolby S Technics Two-Head Deck with Dolby C

Build quality, sound, features

Lacks remote

Built like the proverbial tank. I can't discern any difference between the original CD and the Dolby S recordings this deck makes, even when using modestly expensive Type II tape. The sound is simply not distinguishable from the original source. I had no idea cassettes could sound this good.

I bought this machine for its quality and features such as 9-track AMS. I was surprised to find, however, that it not only lacks auto reverse, it will only play tapes in one direction, so you have to manually flip a tape to play the other side. I'd guess this is a consequence of the three-head design.

No remote control comes with this machine, a mystifying omission considering it's the top of Sony USA's line. It is remote-capable, and I purchased an inexpensive Sony RM-V701 remote ($17 at our local Meijer Superstore) which works well, although it won't turn the deck on and off.

All-in-all, I'm very pleased. This is a product at the end of its evolutionary line, and it shows in its superb performance.

Similar Products Used:

15 year old Sony Cassette deck

I can't think of any

Lack of low bass, not musical

I was surprised how bad this ES deck sound. I bought it to replace my old Aiwa deck, which was made by Sony. When I received it, I first notice compared to my aiwa, there was a noticable lack of low bass, and the sound was sterile. I immediately returned the unit. Yes it was that bad to my ears. The build quality was not the ES that I had come to know. Don't even think about comparing this thing to a Nak. Not even close and for that matter not even close to my Aiwa
990, which is a fine deck in its own right. I am not a sony basher,just a very disappointed buyer.

Similar Products Used:

Aiwa F990, Nak CR7A

Build

Sound, Technical Service of Sony is not capable of handling HighEnd Cassette Decks.

It lacks everything, that a High End deck should have.
Compared to the Nakamichi ZX7 it just records, no life added, no esprit. In a comparison with ANY Nakamichi from the second generation (480 and up) it sounds dull, without live. In a AB-comparison however it sounds similar as the first generation MD-decks from Sony.
If you listen to a Nak, you have the feeling that you are listening to a musical deck. With touché and esprit. If you listen to a Revox 215 you have the feeling that you listen to a nice recording, with the Sony you hear the cassette.
The technical service of Sony was not able after several attempts to remove the dullness of the recorder.
One of the worst SE-products of Sony.
Hardly better than their $200 recorders.

Similar Products Used:

Revox 215B, Several Nakamichi's (550,600,480,670,BX-1,BX-125,CR4,CR7,Recorder 1), Teac

solid build

it is a cassette deck

noice quite recordings. use all tube very high definition analogue system. no complaints

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi

solid build

it is a cassette deck

noice quite recordings. use all tube very high definition analogue system. no complaints

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi