What is the best cassette currently in production?

[NAD613]

Does anyone have an opinion on what the best cassette is that's currently in production? I don't mean NOS, like the Akai's from Batteries & Butter that we all suspect of being NOS, but I mean currently made cassettes.

As near as I can tell, the Fuji website claims that the DR-I & DR-II tapes are still being made. TDK's website also states that the Pro Media Studio Master cassettes are still being made, but not in the 90 minute lengths. Of the packaged cassettes, those appear to be the best ones still around, IMHO.

I may place an order with National Audio Company & buy a 100 ct. box of 77 minute high bias cobalt cassettes, which I suspect might be some of the better tapes around:

http://nationalaudiocompany.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1677

[mmay519]

I'm getting nice results from TDK SA and D tapes, and Maxell XL-II and their Type I variety, too. I've tried the TDK Pro Media '60s, too, and I like them very much. The Fuji DR-1 tapes are great, also.

If these companies are going to keep making blank cassettes, let's vote with our wallets!

Take Care,

Mike

[Scorpion8]

I'd love to hear how the National Audio tapes fare in comparison. But why 77-minute lengths?

[Marc Hugo]

Sure, Mike - keep those sales happening for those companies still making.

I like the Maxell XLII most of all, followed by Sony UX-S (although those might have been discontinued), and then TDK SA. Those are the tapes of choice.

I haven't seen the Pro media from either Maxell or TDK here. We can occasionally find Sony ZX which is a very racy, clean, animated sounding type I - very close to an old HF-S, if not in fact the same (old pancakes packed into lightweight shells). TDK D can still be found and is as solid and viable as ever. Sony EF (not the very worthwhile EF Super though which has been gone for four years or so) seems to have dried up. Haven't seen JVC G1either for a while. TDK B you can get everywhere. Maxell UR is not seen too often either now. I have seen peculiar looking Sanji C-60s - but these have nothing in common with the very good Sanjis made in Japan in the late 80s. In fact the old CR-X looks literally identical to a SA-X of the same era. No doubt, Nakamichi were not alone in having their tapes OEM'd through TDK. SKC, the good ones are gone completely.

I'll post a scan of the tapes that my ex-wife sent me which she had picked up in Kenya and Uganda 6 months ago. They can even get good supplies of TDK AD there.

Cheers - Marc

[Marc Hugo]

I may place an order with National Audio Company & buy a 100 ct. box of 77 minute high bias cobalt cassettes, which I suspect might be some of the better tapes around:

http://nationalaudiocompany.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1677[/QUOTE]

NAD, this sounds interesting. Do those come with a Norelco box or would that have to be bought seperately? Which of those 6 presentations would you go for?

Keep us posted.....

Cheers - Marc

[Scorpion8]

I'll post a scan of the tapes that my ex-wife sent me which she had picked up in Kenya and Uganda 6 months ago. They can even get good supplies of TDK AD there.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!? Get some. Get many, many, many!!

[NAD613]

NAD, this sounds interesting. Do those come with a Norelco box or would that have to be bought seperately? Which of those 6 presentations would you go for?

Keep us posted.....

Cheers - Marc

I'm thinking of getting the white 5-screw shells, then making labels so they look like blank cassettes from the early-mid 70's. No, they don't come with boxes or anything, but I can buy 100 of those tapes for $56.00.

As far as why I'd buy the 77 minute length, it's because I'd like some tapes longer than 60 minute, but shorter than 90. I'd prefer 74 minute tapes, but I didn't see that option on their website.

[Mr. Lin]

I'm getting nice results from TDK SA and D tapes, and Maxell XL-II and their Type I variety, too. I've tried the TDK Pro Media '60s, too, and I like them very much. The Fuji DR-1 tapes are great, also.

If these companies are going to keep making blank cassettes, let's vote with our wallets!

Take Care,

Mike

Mike,
Like you and Marc I believe the current TDK D is still a good tape, even though it's fallen out of favor with a lot of people. The SA is great too, of course. I've had mixed results with the current XL-II's, some good, some with drop outs in the recording.

If the TDK SM Pro is in fact still in production - which I really wonder about despite the new boxes and tapes that are around (green packaging) - then that's definitely what I would vote for as best currently in production. It's not quite the SA-X, but nobody's perfect. :D

[Mr. Lin]

I'm thinking of getting the white 5-screw shells, then making labels so they look like blank cassettes from the early-mid 70's. No, they don't come with boxes or anything, but I can buy 100 of them for $56.00.

As far as why I'd buy the 77 minute length, it's because I'd like some tapes longer than 60 minute, but shorter than 90. I'd prefer 74 minute tapes, but I didn't see that option on their website.

Off topic, but wouldn't it be neat if there were some sort of DIY cassette scene, like there is for tube amps and cables? Choose your own tape, shells, labels, etc - but from a selection of boutique components. Just a thought.

[Scorpion8]

Off topic, but wouldn't it be neat if there were some sort of DIY cassette scene, like there is for tube amps and cables? Choose your own tape, shells, labels, etc - but from a selection of boutique components. Just a thought.

The National Audio catalog lists 6 different cassette shell types so that's a start ...

[Acoustic]

Does anyone have an opinion on what the best cassette is that's currently in production?

Of the ones I've gotten lately: #1- Close tie between the Fuji DR-II and the TDK-SA's.... leaning ever so slightly to the Fuji...but not enough to make it a clear cut winner. #3- Maxell XL-II's... mainly a photo finish with all of them. All 90's... my favorite length. Not a scientific test... only equipment used was my gear and my ears. No other measuring devises used (Or really needed that mattered.. that is!!:D)

Keep in mind all that 99% of my taping is done from FM radio... NPR Jazz on a station that is many times better in sound quality than any of the commercial stations in my area.

[NAD613]

I like the Fuji DR-I for type I & TDK SM for type II.

[NAD613]

Here's an example of a cassette label I made on my computer. I based it off the Sony cassettes of the early 70's.

[NAD613]

Here are some more. If I order those tapes from National Audio Company, these are the labels I'll be using in all liklihood. Old school!

[Web Police]

I like the black or charcoal ones best. Yes!

[Mr. Lin]

Here's an example of a cassette label I made on my computer. I based it off the Sony cassettes of the early 70's.

Cool, except for the mouse arrow. :D

[Scorpion8]

Here are some more. If I order those tapes from National Audio Company, these are the labels I'll be using in all liklihood. Old school!

That is "old school". Quite nice. I really wanna know how those NAC cobalt tapes sound.

[macster]

I looked at the National Audio Company site and it seems like the chrome tapes are the "best" ones. Anyway, if some one wants to buy either the chrome or the cobalt. I'll buy 10 of them (+shipping and handling) from you.

M~

[NAD613]

I looked at the National Audio Company site and it seems like the chrome tapes are the "best" ones. Anyway, if some one wants to buy either the chrome or the cobalt. I'll buy 10 of them (+shipping and handling) from you.

M~

They say the cobalt high bias tapes have a nice warm sound & the mids really stand out, so I'm leaning toward them. I'm going to call them & see if I can order them in 74 minute lengths. It's a pretty good chance I'll be buy 100 of them in the next week or so.

[macster]

They say the cobalt high bias tapes have a nice warm sound & the mids really stand out, so I'm leaning toward them. I'm going to call them & see if I can order them in 74 minute lengths. It's a pretty good chance I'll be buy 100 of them in the next week or so.


Yeah, I saw that, but note;

751 CHROME HIGH PERFORMANCE CASSETTES

For brilliant high frequency performance, nothing matches chrome tape!. 751 is the tape to use for critical master recordings and studio quality copies. Your duplications are only as good as your master, and you can't buy a better master than 751.


747 COBALT HIGH BIAS MASTERING CASSETTES

This fine mastering tape delivers beautiful full range sound with magnificent "warmth" and "presence" in recordings. 747 is the perfect tape for music duplication masters or for outstanding music copy tapes.


M~

[NAD613]

Yeah, I saw that, but note;

751 CHROME HIGH PERFORMANCE CASSETTES

For brilliant high frequency performance, nothing matches chrome tape!. 751 is the tape to use for critical master recordings and studio quality copies. Your duplications are only as good as your master, and you can't buy a better master than 751.


747 COBALT HIGH BIAS MASTERING CASSETTES

This fine mastering tape delivers beautiful full range sound with magnificent "warmth" and "presence" in recordings. 747 is the perfect tape for music duplication masters or for outstanding music copy tapes.


M~

Well, thank you for confusing me all the more! A lot of companies still make chrome high bias cassettes, but how many still make cobalt cassettes?

Anyhoo, if anyone is interested in getting some of those cobalt tapes, I'm going to place an order for 100 next week. I'll be ordering the 90 minute tapes in black, as I think that's the color & length most folks (including me) prefer. It will cost $70.50 w/shipping. I was thinking that a fair price for selling 10 tapes would be about $14 incuding shipping, boxes, & labels, which I'll have to buy seperately & will run me another $30 or so. Let me know what you think. I only plan on selling 50 of them & keeping the other 50 for myself.

[macster]

Well, thank you for confusing me all the more! A lot of companies still make chrome high bias cassettes, but how many still make cobalt cassettes?

Anyhoo, if anyone is interested in getting some of those cobalt tapes, I'm going to place an order for 100 next week. I'll be ordering the 90 minute tapes in black, as I think that's the color & length most folks (including me) prefer. It will cost $70.50 w/shipping. I was thinking that a fair price for selling 10 tapes would be about $14 incuding shipping, boxes, & labels, which I'll have to buy seperately & will run me another $30 or so. Let me know what you think. I only plan on selling 50 of them & keeping the other 50 for myself.

Just trying to help.

BTW, put me down for a box of ten. FWIW, I plan to pay through Paypal. Who are you going to use for shipping?

M~

[NAD613]

Just trying to help.

BTW, put me down for a box of ten. FWIW, I plan to pay through Paypal. Who are you going to use for shipping?

M~

No problem.

I will ship via USPS Media Mail. The UPS office where I live is only open 3 hours a day (3-6pm), which isn't possible for me to get to. I've shipped Media Mail to Mr. Lin, Scorpion8, & others.

If some of you want less than 10, let me know. I figure the cost per tape would be $1.10 after all the costs have been figured, minus the shipping.

[Mr. Lin]

Every transaction between NAD and me has been successful. You've piqued my interest with this cobalt tape talk, put me down for 10 please. PM me the final cost whenever you're ready and I send you the money.

[NAD613]

I've run into a bit of a snag. My Neato Media Face II program I have is obsolete; Neato doesn't make the cassette labels anymore! Neato's labels came 10 to a sheet, but the only ones I can find online are 12 to a sheet & I can't find any programs to download to let me create labels. I can download the template, but not anything to paint or write. If anyone knows of any free downloadable programs or where I can still get those Neato label sheets, please let me know.

[MacGyver]

"What is the best cassette currently in production?"

well, after experiencing the MA-XG, i am personally loathe to believe that there actually IS such a thing as any "best" cassette in production. you guys sure that any of these modern tapes don't shed and have dropouts galore? i swear, me and the stuwster are SUCH prima-donna snobs...

[Marc Hugo]

MA-XG are wonderful super-metals, which is why I bought a couple of boxes for those special musical moments. Same applies to Sony SMM and type IVs in general. But there is always a time and place for alternative media.

New formulations shouldn't "shed" (that would perhaps happen more on very old tapes with more primitive binders and more noticabely on R-R; storage conditions also play a role; dropouts are also pretty rare - the only ones I have ever personally experienced were in one or two TDK SAs and a Maxell XLII-S - and these tapes had had a huge amount of use in adverse heat conditions.

These are quite hyped up claims from National Audio Company and I hope they deliver in spades. Cobalt is quite an ordinary metallic doping for types IIs but by no means the only non-chromium dioxide alternative. Genuine CrO2 disappeared with the last from Scotch (XSII) and the 1992 BASF series of CSII and CEII.

I look forward to the test report guys!!

Marc