Alpine AL-90 or AL85?

[dandhsun]

Hi to all,

This is my first thread and I am at a dilemma as to which of the above to get,
the price difference is $600 and both are in good condition. I believe they are Luxman K-05 and K-04 equivalent and I already have the following Naks, 1000ZXL, Dragon, ZX9 and Cr7a, the reason I wish to purchase them is to try out other brands bedside Nak. I know the difference between them , auto versus manual calibration but as to sound quality, I wish someone could enlighten me as to the accuracy of auto versus manual calibration and the sound quality as compared with Naks, ie. CR7a and Dragon etc.

Thanks.

Rgds,

Daniel

[Naknut]

Hi Daniel and welcome to TapeHeads. I've never had the experience of listening to a Alpine AL-90 but, I believe one of our members has one. As far as autocal vs manual calibration I have experienced both with top level decks. I have a Dragon which as you know allows for precise calibration manually and along with the NAAC system is very hard to beat. You can also fine tune adjustments to your own ear. Having said that I also use a B&O Beocord 9000 that has a very sophisticated computer controlled calibration system that has never failed me. I would be hard pressed to hear the difference between the two as both do a wonderful job.

[dandhsun]

Thanks for the reply.
It is true to auto vs manual calibration yields results which are indistinguishable and the real fun is in the process in taping. However I often overshoots in Dragon when it comes to recording level, not by much but I guess it is the "horizontal" bars of the vu meter and it's reaction time. I prefer the meters in ZX-9 and also find the Alpines old style "needle" interesting.

Another thing I mentioned about the sound quality which I presumed would be the playback which I have read here in another thread that the Alpine/Luxman is on par with Dragon/Cr7A but not in the same league with 1000ZXL or Tandberg 3014. That left me ponder if the Alpines are worth investing on.

Rgds,

Daniel

[draka1032]

I have the AL-90 and the AL-85. You are right in that they are equivalent to the luxman K-05 and K-04 respectively. For the difference in cash, I would definitely go for the AL-85. It will allow you to calibrate bias, level AND equalization which is very rare in cassette decks. Tha AL-90 is fully automatic in setting tape parameters and does also provide a bias control to fine tune for individual taste. I find that both decks sound very nice, as do their Luxman counterparts. I also have a Nakamichi 1000ZXL, 700ZXL, CR-7A, Dragon, 682ZX, Cassette Deck One, LX-5, Tandberg 3014A, Revox B-215, Aiwa XKS-9000, Arcam Delta 100, Pioneer CT-93, CT-A9X as well as uxman K-05s and K-03s. I think that the Alpine and Luxmans are near the top of my cassette decks in performance, but do believe that the 100ZXL/700ZXL and 3014A are better. However they would both cost signifigantly more to acquire and service than the Alpine and LUXs. Feel free to contact me off list if you want to discuss this any further.

Kevin

[dandhsun]

Thanks for the comment, Kevin. It is interesting that the AL-90 has Bias Fine tune which is quite unique when compared to CR-7a. My friend recommended the Luxman K-05 since from his opinion the analogue circuit is superior and I am not sure if this is true for AL-90/85, since I've seen you mentioned in another thread that the luxman are better built. They also lack azimuth adjustment is that due to the combined rec/play head? Anyway since this is a rare item I am wondering if this is worth an investment for , let's say AL-85, for $1200 in this site www.audio-extasa.eu which is Berlin based. I've never dealt with them but they seemed to have some rare collectible items.

Rgds,

Daniel

[Fast Forward]

Welcome to Tape Heads from Minnesota
Looks like you have some fine equipment

[dandhsun]

Welcome to Tape Heads from Minnesota
Looks like you have some fine equipment

Thanks for the complement. I am based in Hong Kong and it is difficult here to get these decks repaired. Right now both my 1000zxls has issues, one of them needs an electrical calibration after a full replacement of orange caps.


Rgds,

Daniel

[draka1032]

I think that $1,200.00 for an Alpine AL-85 is excessive. If you are looking for either an AL-85 or an AL-90, I would check German ebay. You will likely find one for half that price and they will have voltage controls so they can be used worldwide. Of course the usual caveats apply to any ebay deals. I have also seen Luxmans on German ebay periodically. I just picked up another nice Luxman K-03 - which is basically a K-04 with bias and level adjustments but no equalization adjustment. The only cassette decks that I have come across with user azimuth adjustment are Nakamichis and Tandbergs because they have physically seperate record and play heads.

[dandhsun]

I think that $1,200.00 for an Alpine AL-85 is excessive. If you are looking for either an AL-85 or an AL-90, I would check German ebay. You will likely find one for half that price and they will have voltage controls so they can be used worldwide. Of course the usual caveats apply to any ebay deals. I have also seen Luxmans on German ebay periodically. I just picked up another nice Luxman K-03 - which is basically a K-04 with bias and level adjustments but no equalization adjustment. The only cassette decks that I have come across with user azimuth adjustment are Nakamichis and Tandbergs because they have physically seperate record and play heads.

Thanks for the advice, I did check on the German ebay and found an AL-85, not sure about the condition though but at a reasonable price. Nonetheless I was banned from (the wife factor) bidding more decks as I was told I've got enough to play with , all those decks I've acquired from ebay for the past year, so I will be shopping but not buying at the moment.

Would like to say that this is a great site and lots of knowledge gained just by surfing the threads.

Rgds,

[shantiram2000]

Hi Daniel,

I have the AL 90 and it is a phenomenal sounding deck. Its being serviced for bias oscillator issues and should be ariving soon... I shall then report on its recording abilities...

Ram*reelspin*

[dandhsun]

Hi Ram,

Look forward to your report. I wonder if there is any difference between the AL-90 and the K-05, I've heard the headphone output is superior in the Luxman. Incidentally there is a K-03 in ebay and is USA shipping only, I thought it was similar to K04 and almost bid on it.

Rgds,

Daniel

[knollr]

As an owner of an AL-90 with the wireless remote that is a high price to ask. I have one with all the manuals and a spare head that I would let go for much less to a nice home.