Pioneer Dual Cassette Deck Recommendations

[bwana5_2009]

Hi
I've currently got a Pioneer CT-W208R cassette deck. Overall, I'm not that fussed with it. My logic at the time of purchasing it was that it's the youngest pioneer deck available, therefore less likely to be a problem child. Certainly it's been reliable, but I'm finding it's recording quality to be not much chop (on both normal and high position tapes).

I'm therefore thinking of replacing it with something else. I've read a bit about the CT-W910R, which seems more positive. Are there any other Pioneer Dual's out there others would recommend?

Thanks

[Scorpion8]

Is there some reason you're set on dual-well decks?

[Warped Bezel]

They are normally a good value as long as you either get a working one or have experience fixing them.

The DR models have an analog to digital, digital to analog converter setup in the record play section. They sound very low in noise and the sound is very nice.

Pre-1995 decks make me happy.

Also realize the RCA and Optimus cassette decks of the 90s may be a Pioneer design built by or for Thomsen/RCA and Radio Shack from a late 80's model. They too are nice.

They all tend too hard more servicing problems than some lesser models from other brands but when maintained well offer many useful features and ease of use.

[bwana5_2009]

Is there some reason you're set on dual-well decks?

I do the occasional copy from one tape to another - but mostly nostalgia I guess *embarrased*

I'm aware single-well decks seem to be packed with more features...

[Warped Bezel]

I probably have a good one you can have for 10-15 or even the Optimus that is built on a Pioneer design and built by Thomsen/RCA (also RCA branded). No A.B.L.E but they are usually solid citizens. Or a straight across trade, shipping covered by each party.

PM if that sounds fun and you're stateside too.

[speakerman1]

Why Pioneer? I have 3 Tascam 302s. They do have features of a single deck unit. They are built like a tank. They are built as 2 different decks in one enclosure. You can get the specs online. For the 3 I have I paid a little over 100.00 for the 3.

Larry

[R.Daneel]

The CT-W806DR was highly regarded by the press back in the days. If you are into digital, then this would be a nice deck. It's got digital inputs and outputs, Legato link with 20 bit AD/DA section, digital frequency level expander, digital noise reduction that works on all tapes regardless of the type of NR they were used to record, duplication noise suppression and automatic calibration. If you are into that sorta thing, this one would deliver. If you want something without the digital processing, then I would say the CT-W604RS is a good one. It's got dolby S as well as S.A.BLE XD calibration which can make full use of the type-1 tapes.

Pioneer had some excellent decks in the late years but I don't think they were sold in US. There are a lot of them on German ebay.

Out of other brands, I would suggest Technics RS-TR575 which is a good dual well deck, an Aiwa AD-WX909 which is a very interesting deck with one being playback only auto-reverse one and the other being a dual capstan 3-head recording deck. The AD-WX999 is also a fine deck.

But you should be very careful when buying a used dual-well cassette deck, even more so than with single decks. Hope this helps.