Vintage audio cassette deck collection

50 YEARS OF COMPACT CASSETTE (1963-2013)

The Compact Cassette (called Musicassette - MC - when it came with prerecorded material) is an analog magnetic tape sound recording format. It all began with the invention of the magnetic tape in 1928 which led to the first reel-to-reel recorder made by AEG in 1935. These were big machines used in recording studios, radio stations and later by Hi Fi enthusiasts at home. To make home recording more popular, with smaller machines, there were a few cartridge type tapes introduced to the market but they all failed in short time.
It was at the Berlin Radio Show on 30 August 1963 that this new cartridge format was presented by PHILIPS. The name of this new medium was "Compact Cassette" and it was intended to be used for dictation machines. However there was a competition with another format presented by GRUNDIG, but the PHILIPS Compact Cassette became dominant as a result of PHILIPS's decision in the face of pressure from SONY to license the format free of charge.

With the introduction of new tape formulations (first the chromium dioxide (CrO2), improvements in the cassette player mechanism and the introduction of prerecorded music cassettes made this format a succes. The introduction of the "3 Head" configuration in 1973 by Nakamichi, SONY and other major manufacturers turned this medium into a competitive Hi-Fi analog recording solution. This would be the story of the Compact Cassette in a nutshell on the 50th anniversary of its introduction by PHILIPS on august 1963. Read more about other devices that used a Compact Cassette as storage.

AGFA CARAT FECR (1979)

AGFA CARAT FeCr cassette tape. Made in Germany, this compact cassette has a running time of 2x33 min. (as opposed to the usual 2x30 min.) and it has the SM (security mechanism) that prevented tape jam when used with old cassette players that had no breaks to stop the "reels" after fast winding. This tape formulation - ferrum+chrom III - was, before the Metal tape, the highest performance tape available. Usually, cassette recorders from the 70's give their best performance using this - Type III (FeCr) - tape. I would like to mention the fact that the cassette you can see in the above pictures, contains recording made in 1979, and it still can be played back (in 2012) with a very good sound quality. Made in Germany.

AGFA STEREOCHROM 60+6 (1980)

This version of the Stereochrom tape from Agfa was introduced in 1980 and it was the entry level chromdioxid II tape. According to the manufacturers description this is the "AGFA STEREOCHROM superfine chromium dioxide - optimal on recorders with automatic chromium dioxide (CrO2) switch or at the Cr/70 ms (II) setting - exceptional high frequency output level and clarity of the harmonics or overtones determining the tonal quality". The housing is a 5-screw construction with Security Mechanism and 6min. extra time tape. This tape is "real chrome" tape with excellent recording capabilities...when new. Today they can prove difficult to be re-recorded. Made in Germany.
Cover Photo Art: Fanfare for the Common Man - Published February 15th 2023

AGFA SUPERCHROM 60+6 (1981)

This AGFA SUPERCHROM 60+6 Compact Cassette is part of our music collection since 1981 when the tape was purchased as new. It's a pure chrome tape that promises more dynamics, exceptional high frequency output level and more low frequency extension (when compared to normal tape). According to the manufacturers specification this Compact Cassette contains Hi-Fi quality tape according to the German DIN 45 500 standard. Many cassette recorders of this era had separate tape selector for BIAS and EQ. On such a recorder you have to select CrO2 for BIAS and 70µs (CrO2) for EQ. On later models with automatic tape selector these settings are performed automatically with the help of the chrome tape detector notches placed on the top of the cassette shell. To further attract more customers the cassette was launched with 6 minutes (3+3) extra tape length and a 2-year warranty for tape characteristics and shell precision. The cassette shell is a 5-screw construction featuring the SM (Security Mechanism) built under license from BASF. These white arms of the security mechanism were meant to prevent tape jam in case of cheaper cassette recorders that had no brake system for the reel hubs. These were good tapes with recordings that still perform rather well after almost 40 years, however it is extremely difficult to make new recordings on such a tape. It's better if you leave the old recording on the tape as it is, such as the material recorded on this tape with our old (but new then) NIKKO ND-390 recorder.
Cover Photo Art: Sounds Better, Plays Longer - Published May 15th 2020

BASF chrome super II (1989)

This BASF chrome super II (Type II) compact cassette from 1989 was the company's mid-placed chrome tape that came with improved high-precision housing. BASF was one of the very few manufacturers that continued utilizing true chrome tape formulation. Actually, this model features an improved double-layer chromium dioxide formula and it was advertised as ideal for recording "digital" music. These two precision layers of pure chrome dioxide produce outstanding recording control, with an extremely low level of hiss. Features ample recording capabilities in the bass range and generous reserves at high frequencies. The afore mentioned cassette housing is a transversally re-enforced "High Precision" 5-screw housing that is said to ensure phase-exact tape transport and highest torsional rigidity. One thing the original promotional materials do not mention is that this cassette still utilizes the Security Mechanism (see white "arms"), introduced by BASF in the early 70s. These two precision guide arms contribute to smooth precise winds and minimize jamming. Here's the technical profile as published by the manufacturer: Dynamic 315Hz 65dB | Dynamic 10kHz 52dB | Sensitivity 315Hz 0dB | Sensitivity 10kHz 0dB | Print through 53dB. (Measured according to IEC 94).
Cover Photo Art: High Precision - Published September 15th 2022.

maxell XL-II 60 (1988)

The Oval window HR (High Resonance-Proof) cassette shell for smoother tape handling, improved sound quality was introduced with the 1988 generation of maxell XL II compact cassettes. According to the manufacturer these tapes are excellent for recording high quality LP stereo records of moderate intensity, quiet backgrounds, also suited for "live" recordings with microphone sources. This tape is capable of a wide dynamic range with low distortion. The maxell XL-II is a Type II (High / Chrome) cassette that offers excellent results with high quality cassette recorders (with Dolby or other noise reduction systems) equipped with automatic or manual tape selector.
Cover Photo Art: Let's Stick Together - Published October 15th 2020

TDK MA-R C-60 (1982)

When introduced in 1979 the TDK MA-R created a new state-of-the-art concept in cassettes. It's design elements caught the imagination while its sound quality made a lasting impression. Built around a middle section which is one solid piece of metal, the core of the RS Mechanism (Reference Standard Cassette Mechanism), but this is not why it is called Metal tape. Metal tapes use metal particles (as opposed to oxide formulations) as the magnetic layer of the tape and they were the highest performing cassette formulation, thus the most expensive on the market. (aprox. 11 USD when introduced)

This particular model shown here is from 1982. This version has the Metal tape detection holes while the one from 1979 hasn't had them. This compact cassette successfully combines high tech looks with top class performance. The combination of these two factors made the TDK MA-R as one of the most iconic cassette tape ever created. According to manufacturer's description "TDK METAL TAPE fully realizes the dramatic advantages of metal alloy over conventional tape. Its far superior MOL and freedom from high frequency saturation deliver more vibrant recordings of wider dynamic range than previously possible on cassette. The long-term stability of TDK FINAVINX metal particles is assured through polymer coating which permanently seals each one"
Cover Picture Art: Metal reflections - Published February 15th 2018.

TDK SA90 (1983)

The TDK SA90 from 1983 is a State-of-the-Art Super Avilyn high bias formulation compact cassette. The advanced cobalt-absorbed gamma-ferric oxide particle formulation of the SA (non-chrome high bias cassette) allows magnetic particle to be more densely and evenly packed into the tape surface for improved performance. Super Avilyn has excellent response in the low and middle frequencies and equals the response of chrome tapes in the high frequencies. Each element of the Laboratory Standard Cassette Mechanism is designed for optimum tape transport and running performance. Mirror image shell halves, bubble surface liner sheets, and a dual spring pressure pad for precise tape to head contact. Exact A/B side response is achieved through tapered and flanged seamless guide rollers, along with perfectly circular double clamp and hub assemblies.
Cover Photo Art: As Serious as You Can Get - Published May 15th 2022

ONE CASSETTE TO RULE THEM ALL

In an era where everything tends to be smaller there are times when actually bigger is better. Let's say you have a large archive of music collection on Compact Cassettes. You know, those things that will work without internet connection, and once you add a cassette with your favorite artist to your collection it is not going to simply disappear when you're least expecting. On the other hand, when this collection grows and grows you are faced with a challenge, where and how to store these cassettes. During the past decades manufacturers have offered various, more or less suitable solutions to this, but what if I tell you, there is another way. I am talking about one cassette to rule them all. This is of course a recent creation (2023) of 1001 Hi-Fi - The Stereo Museum, a giant cassette that can acomodate 135 cassettes with "standard" size box. They are all distributed on 3 shelfs with space above them allowing easy acces and extraction of any cassette at any time. Many of the features cassette user like to have, are incorporated for full comfort. First, we have the "soft eject" function. This means that once you pull the bottom of the door this will swing-up slowly and gracefully without any help. With the help of two powerful "audiophile pistons" the door will stay safely in opened position. Another feature that is highly regarded by cassette users is the illuminated cassette well. This has been achieved by placing two manually operated LED lights inside the door facing the cassettes for improved visibility. No 3D printer has been used for this "cutting edge" product, all this was created by 1001 Hi-Fi in the good old "analog fashion" way - hand made.