XrisMar 22

My Nakamichi tape deck died, and so I got a replacement belt and idler wheel tire for it. That didn't fix it. Internet searches suggested that corrosion in the cam motor was the most likely culprit.

Today I took it apart, opened up the cam motor, used a wire brush Dremel attachment and some Deoxit, and got it cleaned up. Put it all back together and it actually works! It was a frustrating process, with lots of tiny little parts, but gosh it's nice to have a functioning tape deck again.

Show threadBrian SullivanMar 22

@benthos So what do you use the deck for?

I have a Nakamichi 670ZX sitting in a closet idle for probably 15 years. I can't think of a practical use.

Show threadXris
@briansullivan Listening to cassettes! I sometimes buy new cassettes, mostly things on Bandcamp. Despite the obvious sonic limitations, cassette tapes are analog, and they can sound pretty good on a good deck.
Mar 22 at 8:43pmWeb
Show threadBrian SullivanMar 22
@benthos So no recording? Just already recorded tapes? If my memory serves me correctly commercial cassettes were generally pretty lo-fi.
Show threadXrisMar 22
@briansullivan They go at 1-&-7/8s inches per second, so half the speed of the slowest reel-to-reel tape. It definitely impacts the sound quality, but there are some good sounding cassettes out there. I have a series of Philips classical tapes that have surprisingly good dynamics. #cassettes #CassetteCulture
Show threadGeorge Liquor, AmericanMar 22
@briansullivan @benthos lmk if you become interested in parting with that little fella !