Current Production TDK SA

[Scorpion8]

Decided to stock up on some more new tape, so I ordered two cases (10each) of new TDK SA. I was always more of a TDK fan than Maxell of the big two, and am tired of chasing stuff on the auction site. I've got a couple of cases of NOS TDK SA back from the late 80's (me thinks), but how does the latest SA stand up? Anybody done any critical taping or listening on this stuff?

I also have two cases of the Akai GX-Type II, but haven't used them yet. I'd love to know more about the actual history of this tape.

[NAD613]

Decided to stock up on some more new tape, so I ordered two cases (10each) of new TDK SA. I was always more of a TDK fan than Maxell of the big two, and am tired of chasing stuff on the auction site. I've got a couple of cases of NOS TDK SA back from the late 80's (me thinks), but how does the latest SA stand up? Anybody done any critical taping or listening on this stuff?

I also have two cases of the Akai GX-Type II, but haven't used them yet. I'd love to know more about the actual history of this tape.

I too am thinking about picking up some TDK SA cassettes. Some say they've gone downhill, but I've heard from others that they're still decent cassettes. I know the TDK Pro Media SM tapes use the SA formula & those tapes sound great.

As for the history of the Akai cassettes, that's one of the big mysteries of the hi-fi world. It seems they're brand new & possibly still being made, but it doesn't seem anyone knows anything about them. Not even Akai, who apparently won't even acknowledge the tapes exist. Very strange.

[Mr. Lin]

I have a box of the current production TDK SA tapes from B&B, and I just used one for the first time a few days ago. I didn't give it a real serious listen, just a couple songs with headphones, plus the album isn't exactly a top-notch recording to begin with. However, I can tell you it still sounded good, no obvious issues. The tape itself appears very similar to the TDK Pro SM, which is one of my favorites, so it's probably decent. I'm interested in hearing what you guys think of it though.

I do think you're much better off with the Akai GX, but you be the judge.

[NAD613]

I do think you're much better off with the Akai GX, but you be the judge.

Yeah, especially @ $8/box for the GX-90 & $7/box for the GX-60. Seriously, you can't beat that price. It even gets more ridiculous with the Akai SX type I tapes @ $4.50/box.

[Scorpion8]

Well, there's always another issue. One is the old adage "you get what you pay for". TDK is/was a tape and media company, and always made great tapes. Akai was never known for tape per se, but more for tape recorders. I never saw an Akai cassette tape back in the day, so I'm a little suspicious. Sometimes you stick with what ya know, and I always liked TDK tapes. That said, I still own two cases of GX-90, but haven't used them yet. I may order more, or I may stock up on TDK. Time will tell. I doubt TDK is putting out crappy product even as it fades away.

[Mr. Lin]

Even though I knew the Akai SX are cheap, I was still surprised when I put twenty of them in my cart and the total was $9! I've used one and was definitely happy with the outcome.

Scorpion8 I understand your reservations and your logic, and I have little doubt you're correct about TDK, but the Akai SX and GX are not just a bargain, they're quality, and at the very least on par with every Type II tape I've used so far, including a NOS Maxell XL-II from what some consider the best time period. Give one a try and let us know what you think.

[Scorpion8]

Mr.Lin I certainly will. I was kinda hesitant to break up my sets just yet, but I may even order more of the Akai. I know cassette is still big in the WestPac where hi-tech (mp3) is slower to catch on due to the lower general wage structures, so it's entirely possible that this Akai tape was a Far East market item just like some stuff is Euro only and we just never saw it until somebody found a warehouse full and brought it to the States.

[NAD613]

I agree with Mr. Lin. The Akai GX & SX tapes are some of the best I've used, certainly the best since the early-mid 90's. They are well made & sound good.

[Acoustic]

Just my *twocents*... I've bought in the past two months and have used the new Fuji DR-II, Maxell XL-II and the TDK SA... all 90's. And from my listening taped on my Nak CR-5A's I like the TDK best, Fuji a close second and all the Maxell was a respectible third. I don't use any Dolby and I try to tape with levels around +5db on the peaks. Just to say I have some bulk high position no name 60 min tapes from ZZounds that really sucked and also some 1990's era Sony UCX-S 90's...that really didn't recreate the dynamics... just saying that about the bulk and Sony's to let you know I am fairly picky. I mainly tape jazz quartet's (bebop) that put the demand on dynamics, solid bass and making the cymbals sound like they're 'right there' in the room.

[Marc Hugo]

Howzit Guys

I picked up some Akai type ones - the SX I think (here is RSA) a few years ago - perhaps 3 years ago. I was quite impressed, knowing at that time that Akai had ceased business operations in Japan.

I asked one of my fundi friends about them and he said that he suspected that they were possibly made under some kind of liberty licence in Korea, Taiwan, the Chinese mainland or elsewhere in the far east where the technology exists. They quite likely bought the dies and machinery and some basic chemical formulae from someone flogging them off and not necessarily Akai.

Akai (the hardware brand) has been revived - having being purchased by Singapore based investors and they make the usual oine up of electronic suspects - audio is limited to basic combo systems and portable players based on compression (iPod and MPEG stuff). They also make a very large range of white goods.

That's said, I have had no hassle with the SX, very respectable really - haven't seen the GX except those that our American contributors are able to purchase locally in the states - seen those online. The prices are great.

The SA - current ones are just fine. Remember that all the major brands adjusted their formula often over the years - sometimes every year and not just because the IEC revised the references. I have picked up a good number that are 5-Pack 60s from circa '92. They are great - but the present ones are not any different in any way that I can seriously put a finger on.

Take care all!!----Marc

[Acoustic]

Great info. Thanks for the assessment!!

[Scorpion8]

Double that. Thanks!

[Mr. Lin]

Howzit Guys

I picked up some Akai type ones - the SX I think (here is RSA) a few years ago - perhaps 3 years ago. I was quite impressed, knowing at that time that Akai had ceased business operations in Japan.

I asked one of my fundi friends about them and he said that he suspected that they were possibly made under some kind of liberty licence in Korea, Taiwan, the Chinese mainland or elsewhere in the far east where the technology exists. They quite likely bought the dies and machinery and some basic chemical formulae from someone flogging them off and not necessarily Akai.

Akai (the hardware brand) has been revived - having being purchased by Singapore based investors and they make the usual oine up of electronic suspects - audio is limited to basic combo systems and portable players based on compression (iPod and MPEG stuff). They also make a very large range of white goods.

That's said, I have had no hassle with the SX, very respectable really - haven't seen the GX except those that our American contributors are able to purchase locally in the states - seen those online. The prices are great.

The SA - current ones are just fine. Remember that all the major brands adjusted their formula often over the years - sometimes every year and not just because the IEC revised the references. I have picked up a good number that are 5-Pack 60s from circa '92. They are great - but the present ones are not any different in any way that I can seriously put a finger on.

Take care all!!----Marc

Could this be the end of the mystery? Thanks for telling us all that.

[macster]

Well, I bought $450.00 worth of the TDK SA tapes. The tapes in the box that I'm using right now, have severe drop out problems. So far 8 of the 10 tapes in the box are worthless. I opened another box and the tapes are recording ok. If I record with Maxell XLII tapes (old or new versions) I don't have a problem at all. This is happening on my Revox, Nak and Tascam machines. However the TDK SA tapes that work sound wonderful.

FWIWM2C

M~

[Scorpion8]

Well, I bought $450.00 worth of the TDK SA tapes.

Just recently? Where did you buy them from?

[macster]

Just recently? Where did you buy them from?

Totalmedia, and I bought them last year. Yes, all my machines have be serviced, the Revox's last year and the NAKs and Tascams this year.

M~

[Acoustic]

I just got six boxes of SA 90's 10 packs from Totalmedia delivered 6/25. I've used 6 out of one box so far and all is well (no dropouts). I checked the box and the individual tapes (sealed and opened) for an identifying lot number etc... but nothing found. The product code on mine are SA-90SX*T if that is worth anything.

So far so good. *hope*

[macster]

I just got six boxes of SA 90's 10 packs from Totalmedia delivered 6/25. I've used 6 out of one box so far and all is well (no dropouts). I checked the box and the individual tapes (sealed and opened) for an identifying lot number etc... but nothing found. The product code on mine are SA-90SX*T if that is worth anything.

So far so good. *hope*


My product code is the same and the bar code is 20356213602 and the number on the top of the cassette is ZVIE612. As I've said, I'm having problems with one particular box so far. The other boxes that I've open work great. BTW, I'm on my third box.

m~

[Acoustic]

My product code is the same and the bar code is 20356213602 and the number on the top of the cassette is ZVIE612. As I've said, I'm having problems with one particular box so far. The other boxes that I've open work great. BTW, I'm on my third box.

m~

The same UPC is on my boxes and on the tape it's 020356205508... and that's got to be a lot number or batch number on top, don't ya think? Mine from the same box are all ZVHB813.

Just like most tape brands they have a lifetime warranty (and unlike others, are still in business) and I will bet you for the cost of postage to them TDK replace the defective cassettes.

[macster]

The same UPC is on my boxes and on the tape it's 020356205508... and that's got to be a lot number or batch number on top, don't ya think? Mine from the same box are all ZVHB813.

Just like most tape brands they have a lifetime warranty (and unlike others, are still in business) and I will bet you for the cost of postage to them TDK replace the defective cassettes.

I believe that number on the top is a batch number. All the boxes that I've open so far have that number on the top.

M~

[Mr. Lin]

The barcode number probably just indicates exactly what's in the box. I've only used one of my TDK SAs from Batteries and Butter and it seems to be ok. I did, however, have a couple dropouts on a Fuji DR-II.

[NAD613]

The barcode number probably just indicates exactly what's in the box. I've only used one of my TDK SAs from Batteries and Butter and it seems to be ok. I did, however, have a couple dropouts on a Fuji DR-II.

Fuji also has a full lifetime warranty on their cassettes as well.

[Mr. Lin]

Thanks for the tip, I guess I didn't read the label on that one.