Tape decks and CD players anyone?

[Tony V.]

So I recently picked up a Denon T625 CD player Tape deck combo unit and I must say that both sound really good.
What CD player or Tape deck do you still have in your system?

I also use a Yamaha 5 disc CD player (CDC805) in my livingroom.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

We've had this Denon DCD-1015 CD player since about 1995... actually this entire system is that old. The NAD tuner is from 1984 when we purchased our first stereo system that was all NAD with a Thorens Jubilee turntable.

 

[Tony V.]

Its funny how if you bought good quality stuff in the late 80s early 90s they just last forever.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I still can't believe our Onkyo 805's are ticking right along... and ours plays several hours daily... 12-14 hours or so at least.

 

[Mark C Flick]

Still have a Kenwood CT-406 Dual Cassette Deck.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I still have a unique drawer-loading 7-disc changer, Nakamichi MB-1s, their top-of-the-line model in the mid-to-late 90s. I got it because of its compact size compared to carousel changers (no larger than your typical single-disc player), and because I didn’t want the hassle of cartridges like Pioneer and Sony used. It’s not currently in my system, but it will be again in due time.

These models load the discs in the drawer one at a time, into something of an internal “cartridge.” IIR, the disc being played is “shuffled” to the top where the laser is. Because the loading mechanism is complex, these models did have reliability issues.

My first one was a lower-level MB-3s model (The MB-1s listed for I think $700 or more - ouch!). After many years of service it started acting up – when open, the drawer became “hair-triggered” and would retract at the slightest touch. You couldn’t hardly get a disc into it. I really like these changers, and for no good reason would prefer a real CD player to simply using a Blu-ray player, so I ebay’d a used MB-1s. But after a couple of years it just quit recognizing discs and wouldn’t play.

I got the bright idea that the four models in the MB series probably all the same transport, and I would eventually get a working MB-4s (the bottom-of-the-line model and as such the cheapest) and swap out the transport to my MB-1s. So both the MB-1s and MB-3s were retired to the closet to wait for me to get "a round tuit."

Well, fast forward a couple more years, to a few months ago. We’re preparing to move to another city and it’s time to clean out closets and get rid of lots of unnecessary stuff. There was the question of what to do with these two broken CD changers: keep or trash? It was time to see if I could actually transplant the MB-3s transport over to the MB-1s.

Taking the covers off of both I could see my assumption was correct: The transports were identical, as were the connections to their respective motherboards. I decided to go ahead and try the swap, keeping in mind that this would still be a later-on project, because the MB-3s transport was defective. And it was successfully accomplished.

So I turn it on to give it a test and what do you know? For some reason the “hair-triggered” MB-3s transport is working perfectly in the MB-1s! I can’t explain it, but I’m tickled pink that I was able to resurrect the MB-1s.

Since we’re downsizing everything for our move, I went ahead and put in storage to await installation in our new home. So the picture below is not my particular unit.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Tony V.]

Nakamichi always had innovative designs. I loved the Dragon tape deck that would open the door, flip the tape around and close the door again. My cousin owned one.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sadly, my dedicated CD and Tape decks are all history. I might have an Onkyo CD changer somewhere in storage....maybe.

 

[leecreek]

I just opened up a vintage Model Marantz Cassette Deck. Model SD321. Now to work my way thru these 28 cassettes before the owners get back home. It sounds really good but the recording of the Albums kinda good to poor.

 

[phillihp23]

Use a Sony 200 disc carousal player that I have had for at least 20 yrs. SONY CDP-CX250.

 

[Tony V.]

Those players are nice, I always wanted one but now given I have around 1000cds I would need several of them LOL

 

[Todd Anderson]

I hate to do this to you guys... but I just realized, I do I have a CD changer. Just might be the coolest one on the block!

It's an NSM Emerald Ice. 100 discs. Spent it's location life at a bar in NYC. Now resides in one of my game rooms!

Not exactly Hi-Fi, but neat. I can open it up and shoot some pics if anyone is curious to see the guts. Coin-Op gear is fun because it's somewhat mysterious to the general public.

 

[Tony V.]

Todd! you are kidding me...that is awesome. those kinds of players bring the coolness factor up by 500%!

 

[Todd Anderson]

No joke.

I was able to program it to play random, so (just like in a bar) you enter your preferred tracks and you have to wait to hear them. It makes for a really fun experience!

It took four of us to mount that puppy on the wall... it weighs like a ton of bricks and is awkward due to its weight distribution and size.

 

[Tony V.]

Do you change up the selection of CDs from time to time? will it play burnt CDrs from a PC. You could make up some really great music discs that way.

 

[Todd Anderson]

When I get the home theater Showcase up I'll include some pictures of the game rooms... its fun (has changed quite a bit from the HTS days). The basement has turned into a complete entertainment complex. The ultimate dooms day bomb shelter

 

[Todd Anderson]

Do you change up the selection of CDs from time to time? will it play burnt CDrs from a PC. You could make up some really great music discs that way.

Yes... it plays CDrs. So, I've made some fun compilations. It also came with 100 CDs from its last days on route. So I have plenty of material. Mostly classic rock. But there's some modern alt rock and rap in it.

Only downside is maintenance. These players are finicky and parts are hard to come by. I'm actually thinking about buying a second one to have as a parts machine.

 

[Tony V.]

So very interesting, love it!

 

[Todd Anderson]

When I get a chance I'll take some pics of the inside. It's interesting...

 

[AudioThesis]

That's a cool piece Todd!

I currently use one CD player but its technically a transport. I keep trying to get away from CD's but the truth is a good transport still sounds better than a streamer. It has gotten close over the years, but it still hasn't caught the mighty CD.

The transport I use is the North Star Design Magnifico. It can upsample redbook up to 768 PCM or 4x DSD via the i2s connection. It is interesting as some CD's sound better native, some sound better upsampled in PCM, and some sound better upsampled to DSD.

 

[Todd Anderson]

That's probably the most unique transport I've ever seen. I'm guessing that puppy has a nice little price tag attached to it. Is the top a manual sliding door?

 

[AudioThesis]

Yes, manual sliding top load CD transport. The unit is not cheap at $3,300, but it definitely is unique in the market. I'm not aware of any other products like it. Regarding the picture, the actual door has a different handle on it than what is pictured. I believe this might have been a prototype at or near the end of design.

You might be interested in the DAC I pair with it as well. It uses the same chassis as the Magnifico and that adds a unique perspective of things. This is the North Star Design Venti:

 

[Todd Anderson]

That's a company that has a flair for the dramatic on the design side, eh? Does the transport also have a blue glow?

 

[AudioThesis]

Just a blue front LED. The Venti is the first DAC they've done with internal lighting. This is an Italian company after all - they have to have flair, right?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Good point. I'm sure it looks great in person!