USB Tape (cassette) deck

eamon

Hello Folks

My tape deck has died (misuse on my part). As its proving really difficult to find and purchase a new affordable tape deck (I'm not paying £350 for a TEAC no matter how splendid it is). I'm considering an ION Usb tape deck (are there any other manufacturers?) as I could then continue with my long term project of digitising my collection of C60 & C90 tapes albeit slightly faster.

So my question is. Are any MSE'rs currently using one of these gadgets? Are they any good? I can see from the manual that it has a "dynamic" nosie reduction system as opposed to Dolby NR. Is this any good and does it have any potential conflicts with Dobly NR that exists on my tapes?

I could of course buy a used tape deck via Ebay and continue with my current project.

I look forward to any feedback

Eamon

TonyMMM

I used an old Sony Walkman with the headphone socket connected to the Line-In on the computer to transfer some tapes ...it worked very successfully.

fwor

The thing about cassette decks is that they were refined over decades and by the 80s were very sophisticated, with hardened heads, clever electronics and finely engineered transports.

You won't get any of that refinement on anything produced today. They are not built to last, and everything will have been specified to minimum cost.

Get a secondhand good quality good condition deck on eBay - even working Nakamichis can be had for £20!

paddyrg

Bear in mind, old tapes may have lost a lot of what made them great. Unless archive quality (ie damn expensive) the adhesive may have leaked, meaning oxide particles may have slipped, moved etc. Or indeed some particles may have depolarised over time too. Just saying it may not sound as great as it once did, and a ion deck might be good enough coupled with the convenience.

googler

Get a good used deck from eBay. It'll be far better than the Ion PoC. To replay a Dolby-encoded tape, you need the matching Dolby decoding on playback, not a generic NR system as appears to be fitted to the Ion.

somersethillbilly

TonyMMM wrote: »

I used an old Sony Walkman with the headphone socket connected to the Line-In on the computer to transfer some tapes ...it worked very successfully.

+1 Had great results doing the same and using Audacity to record them.

SteveJW

Don't know where the OP lives but if he is anywhere near Hull I can loan him a Technics twin cassette deck from the 90s with Dolby B and C, if my memory serves me correct cost nearly £200 new

eamon

Thanks for all the replies. I'm about 1/2 way through the project. Been at it for 3 years now but I haven't done any transfers since the New Year. Unfortunatley my lappy doesn't have a "line in" socket so I have to use a USB gadget link. The down side is that the gadget and cables aren't shielded so I have to make the living room quiet. I haven't had a dodgy tape yet. Luckily I take reasonable care with my tapes. All returned to their case after use and have been stored well.
The ION machine looks cheap and why does it have 2 tape drawers? I had a quick look on Ebay this morning and it looks promising. Hull isn't that far away but I would want to keep the tape deck!

poppellerant

If you already have a tape deck, you could buy a USB soundcard with a line-in to record from it - that saves you buying a USB tape deck, and retains the functionality of the existing one.

TakeThis

poppellerant wrote: »

If you already have a tape deck, you could buy a USB soundcard with a line-in to record from it - that saves you buying a USB tape deck, and retains the functionality of the existing one.

Where does it say that he has a tape deck??

TakeThis

eamon wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I'm about 1/2 way through the project. Been at it for 3 years now but I haven't done any transfers since the New Year. Unfortunatley my lappy doesn't have a "line in" socket so I have to use a USB gadget link. The down side is that the gadget and cables aren't shielded so I have to make the living room quiet. I haven't had a dodgy tape yet. Luckily I take reasonable care with my tapes. All returned to their case after use and have been stored well.
The ION machine looks cheap and why does it have 2 tape drawers? I had a quick look on Ebay this morning and it looks promising. Hull isn't that far away but I would want to keep the tape deck!

What kind of laptop has no 'Line In'? Never seen such a thing.
Make and model?

Usually would just need a simple lead, such as this.

Get a cassette deck with Dolby to match your tapes. You can buy second hand for less than the ION. But beware of 'wow and flutter' on an old deck. Buy wisely.