What's the best currently in production Type II tape

[gonzo]

I have been reading quite a bit and many say that current iterations of maxell type II are of uneven quality, others say they are fine, then there are other brands. Any strong recommendations of good quality new tape? Thanks Norm. BTW, the reason I ask is that a repair guy I respect says that sometimes, previously used tapes that even "look" good, may have microscopic folds, dirt etc that can really screw up a clean deck. He says when I look for older gently used tapes I am basicallly playing a crapshoot and why bother screwing up a good deck? Curious what you folks think about this recommendation.

[stuwee]

I have been reading quite a bit and many say that current iterations of maxell type II are of uneven quality, others say they are fine, then there are other brands. Any strong recommendations of good quality new tape? Thanks Norm. BTW, the reason I ask is that a repair guy I respect says that sometimes, previously used tapes that even "look" good, may have microscopic folds, dirt etc that can really screw up a clean deck. He says when I look for older gently used tapes I am basicallly playing a crapshoot and why bother screwing up a good deck? Curious what you folks think about this recommendation.

I've had very good results with the '91-'92 XL II S shown below, the older style '85-'88 XL II S as well, mine were all gently used, recorded one time only (so says the seller) I haven't had any problems (dirt, scraped heads etc..). I'm not saying your repair guy is giving you false info, just that I haven't had any problems with any of my used cassettes, re-recording on them and enjoying them immensly. My new favorite type II tape is the TDK SA-XG, though I've never had a SA-X, the tape itself is probably the same, others will chime in, this is all just IMHO. Des's sticky on the Maxell collection here in cassettes is a great info source!!
Craig

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Gonzo,

I have not had any hassles with XLII from Maxell although mine are not quite as young as the guilty parties - not sure.. My current TDK SA seem fine too.

I think what Craig says is exactly right on the used ones - possibly this could be so - if tapes look a bit gungy, they probably are. Yesteryear this would have been good advice from your techie, but thesedays cassette users such as us tend to be enthusaists and are therefore more meticulous but it doesn't necessarily occur to us that we are. So, we keep things clean and also - if you look at those Maxell XLII-S Craig got - that was a premium tape years ago - they would have been looked after. A pile of TDK Ds from a students dorm would most likely not...

Cheers - MH

[NAD613]

I have been reading quite a bit and many say that current iterations of maxell type II are of uneven quality, others say they are fine, then there are other brands. Any strong recommendations of good quality new tape? Thanks Norm. BTW, the reason I ask is that a repair guy I respect says that sometimes, previously used tapes that even "look" good, may have microscopic folds, dirt etc that can really screw up a clean deck. He says when I look for older gently used tapes I am basicallly playing a crapshoot and why bother screwing up a good deck? Curious what you folks think about this recommendation.

I'd say the TDK Pro Media Studio Master (SM) Series & the National Audio Company chrome cassettes are the best type II tapes currently made, followed by the Fuji DR-II. Here are links to where the TDK Pro Media SM tapes can be purchased:

http://www.totalmedia.com/store/audi...sional-40.html

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/TDK-SM60-Cassette-10Pack?sku=930868

http://www.amazon.com/TDK-SM60-Profe.../dp/B00009QP0E

http://tapeworld.com/product_detail~id~133~title~SM%2060+Audio%20Casset tes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II~brandname~~producttype~Audio%20Ca ssettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II.htm

Here is the link to NAC:

http://nationalaudiocompany.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3398

Fuji DR-II:

http://www.tape.com/6FUJ90DRII.html?leftmenu=blankmedianav

http://tapeworld.com/product_detail~id~122~title~DR%20II%2090%20%20%20% 205%20pack+Audio%20Cassettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II~brandname~~producttype~Audio%20Ca ssettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II.htm

http://www.totalmedia.com/store/bargain-basement-2480/audio-closeouts-2482/cassettes-2485/fuji-c90-music-grade-in-slim-casespecial-sal-53.html

[utahusker]

I'd say the TDK Pro Media Studio Master (SM) Series & the National Audio Company chrome cassettes are the best type II tapes currently made, followed by the Fuji DR-II. Here are links to where the TDK Pro Media SM tapes can be purchased:

http://www.totalmedia.com/store/audi...sional-40.html

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/TDK-SM60-Cassette-10Pack?sku=930868

http://www.amazon.com/TDK-SM60-Profe.../dp/B00009QP0E

http://tapeworld.com/product_detail~id~133~title~SM%2060+Audio%20Casset tes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II~brandname~~producttype~Audio%20Ca ssettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II.htm

Here is the link to NAC:

http://nationalaudiocompany.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3398

Fuji DR-II:

http://www.tape.com/6FUJ90DRII.html?leftmenu=blankmedianav

http://tapeworld.com/product_detail~id~122~title~DR%20II%2090%20%20%20% 205%20pack+Audio%20Cassettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II~brandname~~producttype~Audio%20Ca ssettes%20High-Bias%20Type%20II.htm

http://www.totalmedia.com/store/bargain-basement-2480/audio-closeouts-2482/cassettes-2485/fuji-c90-music-grade-in-slim-casespecial-sal-53.html

Thanks NAD, this is very helpful to me. The search for NOS can be fun, but I'de like to stock up on some tape that's affordable but good, and more importantly, available.

[dr.bo]

Even though I collect and sell a large number of both relatively new and vintage type II tapes, I would tell you not to bother with the most recent versions. Do yourself a favor and make sure whatever tape you use at least has a well constructed shell, with five screws, etc. Myself and many others have plenty of these to choose from. If these prices are too high *wink*, might I suggest trying the Akai GX tape? Many sellers have it in bulk for quite cheap if you are willing to buy 20 or more.

You can get vintage Fujis for reasonable prices too. Just be patient and lurk on ebay for a few weeks and I bet you will find plenty of choices. At the moment it seems to be a buyers market on ebay, so it's a good time to look. I expect (and HOPE) this changes soon! dr.bo

[stuwee]

Does the Denon HD8 count as a II? It has metal particles in it. I'm fixin' to do a review on this puppy today *thumbsup* so far!

[dr.bo]

Denon Hd-8 is a type II, as is HD-7, and HD-6 Once again, there are a bunch on ebay for fairly good prices in bulk. Dr. bo

[NAD613]

The few decent new tapes still being made almost have to be ordered online. Most local drug stores or WalMarts don't carry decent cassettes anymore.

[NAD613]

Even though I collect and sell a large number of both relatively new and vintage type II tapes, I would tell you not to bother with the most recent versions. Do yourself a favor and make sure whatever tape you use at least has a well constructed shell, with five screws, etc. Myself and many others have plenty of these to choose from. If these prices are too high *wink*, might I suggest trying the Akai GX tape? Many sellers have it in bulk for quite cheap if you are willing to buy 20 or more.

I agree with part of that, but those TDK Pro Media SM tapes are pretty good. Those tapes from NAC are quite good as well.

As for those Akai GX, I don't think they're currently in production, but they are cheap & as Butter & Batteries says, they have as many as you want. For $8/box, you can't go wrong!

http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AKAIGX-90&Category_Code=ta

[dr.bo]

I agree about the TDk Pro tapes, they are pretty good. I don't know if they are still made, but you can pick up a box of 10 for 20-30.00. I haven't checked the most recent makes, are they molded shells,or do they have the screws?

I will throw in a plug here for THAT's tapes ( Disclaimer- I sell these *thumbsup*) The type II and IV are in my opinion superb. Now these aren't cheap, but I do think they are one of the best type IIs around. Dr.bo

[NAD613]

I agree about the TDk Pro tapes, they are pretty good. I don't know if they are still made, but you can pick up a box of 10 for 20-30.00. I haven't checked the most recent makes, are they molded shells,or do they have the screws?

I will throw in a plug here for THAT's tapes ( Disclaimer- I sell these *thumbsup*) The type II and IV are in my opinion superb. Now these aren't cheap, but I do think they are one of the best type IIs around. Dr.bo

The shells are molded, but it's pretty well put together. Very smooth & solid while playing or FF/RW in the deck transport. From what I've heard, TDK designed those tapes to be used & abused in those Tascam Portastudio multitrack machines that usually run @ 3 3/4 IPS. According to the TDK website, the tapes are currently being made.

http://www.tdk-media.com/consumer/audio/prosm.html