Best Cassette Adapters (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023
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BYHank O’Hop/ LAST UPDATED ON June 3, 2022
You finally landed your dream car. It’s time to gas up, take off the T-top, and crank up some tunes. That is, until you realize you’re working with a cassette tape deck and failed to invest in any tapes.
Don’t freak out. You’re dealing with an issue that has been solved long ago. You don’t need to tear out the original unit and swap in an aftermarket piece that looks entirely out of place in your car. There’s a much easier, more affordable way. A cassette adapter is all you need to start enjoying music in your older car.
I searched for and came up with a solid list of the best cassette adapters. Look through these to find the one that works best for you. Just promise not to tell me what guilty-pleasure songs you’re killing the soul of that classic with.
Best Overall
Aluratek Universal Bluetooth Audio Cassette Receiver
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Summary
Instantly add Bluetooth functionality to your cassette player. This adapter eliminates cords, offers excellent battery life, and the sound quality you demand.
- Good sound quality
- Bluetooth connection eliminates cords
- Long battery life
- Decent reception range
- Noisy internal gears
- Quality control issues are common
Best Value
Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter
SEE IT
Summary
Keep life simple with this adapter. No batteries, no linking, just plug it in and go. The low price is also pretty hard to ignore.
- Affordable
- No dependence on battery
- Better sound quality than cheap Bluetooth adapters
- Quality needs improvement
- Dangling cords can be annoying
Honorable Mention
Arsvita Bluetooth 5.
0 Cassette Aux Adapter
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Summary
Bluetooth on a budget. This adapter makes it affordable to link up to your cassette player without any cords. It also includes a microphone for hands-free calling.
- Affordable
- Bluetooth connection eliminates cords
- Long battery life
- Microphone allows for hands-free calling
- Quality control issues are common
- Sound quality needs improvement
Summary List
Best Overall: Arsvita Bluetooth 5.0 Cassette Aux Adapter
Best Value: Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter
Honorable Mention: Aluratek Universal Bluetooth Audio Cassette Receiver
Best Bundle: Elook Cassette Aux Adapter Kit for Car
Best Aux Adapter: Monster Aux Cord Cassette Adapter
Our Methodology
Cassette adapters have been around for a long time now.
I leaned on my experiences to provide insight on the basics of these devices. Since I have not tried them all, plenty of research was in order. I made sure to look into the current brands serving this segment as well as what features folks prefer and what to realistically expect from these devices when coming up with my top choices.
Best Cassette Adapter Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Aluratek Universal Bluetooth Audio Cassette Receiver
SEE IT
Specs
- Manufacturer: Alurtek
- Part number: ABCT01F
- Connection type: Bluetooth
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Bluetooth connection eliminates cords
- Long battery life
- Deception reception range
Cons
- Noisy internal gears
- Quality control issues are common
Aluratek’s Bluetooth receiver cassette adapter is the top pick because of its sound quality and wireless operation.
Though none of these adapters deliver award-winning sound, many view this as better than most. It’s also only right to award points for the ability to connect all modern phones to your classic car without cords. It can receive Bluetooth signals from up to 33 feet away, which can prove handy in a number of situations. It also offers eight hours of playtime and uses sleep mode to preserve battery life.
This cassette adapter isn’t without flaws. Unfortunately, the internal gears are noisy, and many reviewers make modifications to reduce the sound produced. There are also many reports of faulty units making their way to the customer, indicating that quality control issues are present.
Best Value
Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter
SEE IT
Specs
- Manufacturer: Arsvita
- Part number: Us1AKca001
- Connection type: Auxiliary Cord
Pros
- Affordable
- No dependence on battery
- Better sound quality than cheap bluetooth adapters
Cons
- Quality needs improvement
- Dangling cords can be annoying
This cassette adapter from Arsvita is what many folks are looking for.
The low price makes it a popular choice, but is not all it has going for it. This model uses an auxiliary cord, and although that can be viewed as a dated feature, it offers a couple key benefits. For one, there’s no need to worry about battery life, which makes a major difference for long trips. The use of a cord also allows it to produce better sound quality than many cheap cordless adapters.
As many advantages as a cord have, there are some drawbacks. Primarily that you still have to deal with an unsightly wire dangling from your dash. Also, the quality and lifespan of the unit are about what you could expect from an adapter with such a low price.
Honorable Mention
Arsvita Bluetooth 5.0 Cassette Aux Adapter
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Specs
- Manufacturer: Arsvita
- Part number: Us1ASca0076
- Connection type: Bluetooth
Pros
- Affordable
- Bluetooth connection eliminates cords
- Long battery life
- Microphone allows for hands-free calling
Cons
- Quality control issues common
- Sound quality needs improvement
Arsvita’s Bluetooth 5.
0 cassette receiver adapter is a great way to go if you want your new phone to work with your old car on a budget. First and foremost, it gives your dated cassette player Bluetooth function. That’s a massive deal considering many smartphones are getting away from 3.5-mm jacks. It’s also priced just right for the average car owner, offers eight hours of play time with just 1.5 hours of charge time, and comes with a microphone for hands-free calling.
Quality control seems to be an issue as quite a few customers receive faulty units. It’s also worth pointing out that the sound quality is not the best. It’s certainly not the worst of the bunch, but it doesn’t compare to some of the more costly options.
Best Bundle
Elook Cassette Aux Adapter Kit
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Specs
- Manufacturer: Elook
- Part number: UsHmcaBnL0102
- Connection type: Auxiliary Cord
Pros
- Includes iPhone port adapter
- Affordable
- Decent sound quality
- No dependance on battery
Cons
- Quality control issues common
- Dangling cord
Most flagship phones have ditched aux ports, and this Elook cassette adapter solves that problem for iPhone owners.
Obviously, you can buy an adapter for pretty much any phone that’s eliminated the 3.5-mm jack, but this simplifies the process by bundling it in. That’s not all there is to like about this particular offering. It is affordable, even with the adapter, and delivers decent audio performance, which is all many care about, and there’s no need to worry about battery life as you would with cordless cassette adapters.
Though this may be an obvious contender for Best Value, quality control issues are a little too common to give it that title. While that’s a common issue for this type of device, they are more common here than in others on the list. Also, it’s only fair to take points for the presence of unsightly cords when this adapter is in use.
Best Aux Adapter
Monster Aux Cord Cassette Adapter
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Specs
- Manufacturer: Monster
- Part number: 129342
- Connection type: Auxiliary Cord
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Affordable
- No dependance on battery
Cons
- Poor quality control
- Short lifespan
If you want the best performing cassette adapter with an auxiliary cord without going to abstract dealers, Monster is the way to go.
Based on the reviews, this is a great choice for anyone who prefers cords. Despite that, it’s only a few dollars more than the average corded cassette adapter. Points awarded for having no need to worry about battery life with this unit.
Naturally, awarding points for the lack of battery dependence means docking points for the dangling cord. That is by no means the only issue with this adapter. A lot of reviews indicate that this model is relatively short-lived, and quality control issues are common.
Our Verdict
The Aluratek Universal Bluetooth Audio Cassette Receiver is an obvious choice for the top pick. It gives your cassette player Bluetooth capabilities and provides decent sound quality. There’s no denying that some will prefer the low price of the Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter, which also delivers in terms of performance.
Things to Consider Before Buying Cassette Adapters
Cassettes and Adapters Tips
Used Cassettes
You bought a classic car.
Live the life. Hit the local flea markets and internet to scoop up some old cassette tapes. The chances are that they still work fine, and you can get them for great prices. Sometimes you can even find lots filled with tapes from the greatest bands of multiple eras going for what you’d pay for a really good cassette adapter. It’s also worth keeping note of the fact that some bands still release new albums on cassette today.
Keep It Clean
Cleaning and demagnetizing cassette play head regularly is key to getting the best sound and performance out of your system. Doing so in your car is much easier than you might think. Cleaning devices that slide into the head just like a cassette simplify the process. You just need to make sure to repeat the process every 40 hours of tape play.
Skip the Transmitter
FM transmitters are an alternative way to play music from your phone over the car’s stereo system.
They get the job done, and a lot of people are happy with them, but many are junk. While the same is true about cassette adapters, it’s a lot easier to find models that deliver fantastic sound quality and performance. You also don’t need to go through the trouble of finding an unused frequency to listen to your music, which can make all the difference in the world on road trips or long commutes.
Pricing
A cassette adapter is one of the few upgrades you can make that doesn’t cost all that much. Most come in anywhere from about $10 to $30. Quality and the name attached to a particular cassette adapter do influence the price. How it functions, though, is the biggest determining factor in how much it costs. Typically, those that work with an aux cord dominate the lower half of that price range, while models that work with Bluetooth sit in the upper half.
FAQs
You’ve got questions.
The Drive has answers.
Q: How can I make my cassette adapter sound better?
A: Improving the sound quality of a cassette adapter may be as simple as cleaning and demagnetizing the cassette player itself. It’s a routine process many people overlook, impacting sound. Otherwise, it may be worth adjusting the sound system’s settings or replacing the adapter altogether.
Q: Can I use my cassette adapter in any car?
A: As long as there’s a clean and functional cassette player, you shouldn’t have a problem. If you are having issues with the player ejecting the cassette adapter, it may be due to dirty internals or a faulty adapter.
Q: Why does my cassette adapter keep ejecting?
A: There are multiple reasons the adapter keeps being ejected. The system may be dirty, there may be faulty parts inside the system, or the adapter may have an issue with the internal mechanism that keeps certain systems from automatically ejecting tapes.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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How in the world did this cassette to aux device actually work?
Remember that awkward moment when you were still driving a beater of a car, that only had a cassette player, while your friends were rocking out in their aux cord-equipped cars?
Somehow, you had missed out on even graduating to a car boasting a CD player, and were now two generations of audio technology behind. Cassettes hadn’t made a comeback just yet, so your options were flipping through the radio stations until you found something good, or popping in a cassette from the ’80s, and hoping that you didn’t have to perform the pencil rewind trick while driving.
Needless to say, your car’s audio needed a bit of a boost, and you were desperate to crank the tunes you were craving exactly when you wanted them, instead of hoping to catch them on your FM radio.
So, what happened? You picked up this nifty, little tool that turned your cassette player into a handy, dandy aux cord that you could use on your CD player, iPod, and eventual smart phone.
Shaped as a cassette, this clever doohickey quickly brought your car up-to-date, and made it where you could start jamming has hard as your friends had been for years.
So, how does it work? And, how did we all come to magically know this device, and just trust it as our lifeline to music on-the-go?
Originally created by Larry Schotz, the man was a creative genius in the media world, not only inventing the design we so keenly depended on, but also using his ingenuity to create wireless speakers, antennas, and a slew of both audio and video inventions.
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The way the cassette is able to transfer sound actually lies in using the existing mechanics of a cassette player to transmit electromagnetic signals to convert them to sound.
Rather than having the head of the cassette player relaying noise via a tape, it transmits the signal directly, actually causing a brighter sound without as much “noise” as cassette tapes often feature.
According to his patent, filed in 1986, “when the adapter is loaded into the cassette playback deck and that deck as well as the other device both are operated, signals produced by the other device are coupled, by means of the aforementioned conductor and audio circuit, to the record head from which those signals are applied to the playback head of the cassette playback deck and, thence, those signals are reproduced by the audio system.”
Thanks to this invention, it quickly because the way to upgrade your audio system on the cheap, resulting in many of us being able to jam out for a mere $10, instead of forking out major cash.
And, for those who are still rocking a car with a cassette-only player, these bad boys are still available at JB Hi-Fi for an easy $9.95.
Check out the patent for the cassette to aux cord adapter:
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The 50 best cassette players in history. Walkman and all its competitors
Since 1979 and since the format’s existence
cassette wearable players were released a huge number of different models.
Whatever functions the manufacturers tried to endow with ordinary
turntables! From built-in radios and even TVs, all the way to
opportunities for learning foreign languages. In our material, we have tried
tell you about all the iconic and epochal models of vintage cassette
players, as well as those that provided the highest
playback quality.
50. Sony TPS-L2
Iconic device from 1979, for
its time it was a very advanced player. The model was built
based on the Sony TCM-600 portable professional recorder, from which
the recording head has been removed, and the playback head has been replaced with a stereo one
option. Instead of a microphone, the “hot line” function appeared, when you click on
the corresponding key was forcibly lowered the volume level, and the owner
player could hear the world around him.
Support for Dolby NR has not yet been, but it was present
a two-position switch that allowed you to listen to the corresponding cassettes without
extra emphasis on high frequencies.
49. Sony WM-2
Second generation Walkman,
appeared already in 1981, confidently took away the title of “the most
“smallest” player in the world. However, a significant reduction in size led to
the fact that only the motor remained unchanged from the original model, the rest
had to be re-created. The batteries were accessed from inside the cassette
compartment, so that they now could not accidentally fall out, which sometimes happened with
first generation player. The case has become so miniature that to install
on it, a clip for attaching the player to the belt did not work, and was invented
a special holder with which the player could be placed on
various pieces of clothing. The second generation of the player broke all sales records – it was
sold over one and a half million copies. The device weighed 280 grams and
supported cassettes of the fourth type.
48. Aiwa HS-P1
One of the first wearables
cassette players of the company was released in 1981 for the thirtieth anniversary
companies. It was distinguished by the high quality of the tape drive mechanism with hitchhiking
– measured knock coefficient was very low – and could work with
cassettes of any kind. Two pairs of headphones could be connected to the player.
The model weighed 345 grams, the battery life was 8 hours.
47. Sony WM-3
The second version of the original
portable cassette player, released in 1981 and originally called the Walkman. The changes were more cosmetic in nature.
say, the famous “play” button appeared, replacing “listen”, added
latch on one key, the power socket has been changed. carrying case,
again, redesigned and given a black (rather than blue) tint. Neither
mechanics or electronics have not changed – but as a follower, the device is appreciated
now slightly smaller than the original.
46. JVC CQ-1 K
Beautiful and stylish player
1981 was one of the best on the market at the time.
Tape drive mechanism
supported full hitchhiking and rewinding in both directions, the player could
play cassettes of the fourth type. But the most remarkable thing is the presence
two noise reduction systems at once – Dolby B and proprietary ANRS, which many still consider the best version
similar systems at all times.
45. Toshiba KT-VS 1
Top player from 1981
walky series
that’s what Toshiba called their portable cassette players. Apart from
excellent mechanical part and quality head with tape support
the fourth type, the model was distinguished by a removable radio receiver unit, made in
cassette form. To listen to radio broadcasts, it had to be inserted into
cassette receiver. Of course, in this case, it was already possible to listen to ordinary cassettes
You can’t, you have to choose one.
44. Sony WM-DD
The first device of the DD series
appeared in 1982 and immediately earned universal love. How about the quality
workmanship, and sound, the model turned out great.
Electronics was
taken from its predecessor, but the addition of a disc servo
(plus a tacho sensor) has significantly improved the technical characteristics of the device,
and also allowed to reduce the dimensions of the player. The body of the player was completely
metal, the device weighed 240 grams.
43. Aiwa HS-P2
World’s first wearable
a player equipped with an auto reverse function was released by a Japanese company in
1982. Naturally, all other manufacturers quickly pulled themselves up, but
the championship still remains with Aiwa. Among
other features can be mentioned noise reduction system, tape support
fourth type (Metal) and a large transparent cover
cassette receiver. The player was not the smallest and weighed 320 grams.
42. Sony WM-DC2
Third generation model
Walkman players with “direct drive” was distinguished by the support of all possible systems
Dolby NR, including version C. It even earned the title of “professional”, although
seen in the consumer market.
In addition to the latest Dolby C system,
first implemented in a portable player (for which Sony needed
independently create special microcircuits), here was installed
laser-amorphous reproducing head, unique for portable equipment,
characterized by increased wear resistance. In addition, there is a linear
an output that allowed the player to be connected to a stationary amplifier.
41. Pioneer PK-F9
Rare player 1983,
which could boast of having a removable radio in a separate unit,
telescopic antenna, auto reverse and direction indicator
ribbons. It supported the Dolby B noise reduction system, and the keys
rewind switches were located on the cover of the cassette receiver. Too bad the company
Pioneer in
As a result, she did not develop the direction of wearable players.
40. JVC CQ-22K
One of the early portable
players 1983 years old was distinguished by a solid design, more compact dimensions,
than competitors and excellent sound. It had a full auto-reverse, support for all
types of tape, including metal, and Dolby B.
The original
function was the ability to connect a removable tuner unit mounted on
case. The player weighed about 300 grams.
39. Sony WM-10
Unique in its own way
the compactness of the Walkman model – its dimensions were smaller than the dimensions of the cassette itself!
In order to insert a cassette into the player, the WM-10 case had to
push apart. The creation of the Sony WM-10 required Japanese engineers to develop
a special miniature brushless motor similar to those
were used then in turntables. Another problem was
number of batteries. Dimensions did not allow space for two finger
AA batteries, so it was decided to leave only one, and for
increasing the voltage to the desired level, a special step-up was used
converter. Despite its miniature size, it was functionally
a full-fledged player that supports all types of tapes and is equipped with a Dolby B system
NR.
38. JVC / Victor CX-V9
Amazing Player 1986
with built-in LCD TV. For its era
was a breakthrough product.
The ability to receive TV programs did not hurt
equip the player with a good tape drive mechanism with a quasi-sensor
control, auto-reverse and support for Dolby noise reduction. The kit included a detachable telescopic antenna and
stand with rechargeable batteries.
37. Sony WM-W800
This two-cassette recorder is the first
and the only Walkman with the ability to dub from one cassette to
another. From a technical point of view, the apparatus consisted of two CVLs from
player WM-10, combined in one case. Leading deck supported
playback and recording on all types of tape, including chrome and metal, while
as the second worked only with ferrite cassettes. Was present in the model and
built-in microphone. Due to its material-intensive design, the device turned out
very expensive and didn’t sell well.
36. Sharp JC-AV1
Another cassette player 1986
years with built-in LCD TV? Yes, it was. The model also had an auto-reverse,
and hitchhiking, but the most incredible feature was the presence, in addition to the radio,
TV receiver and liquid crystal display.
He radiated into
the direction of the mirror inside the case, on which it was possible to watch TV programs.
35. Aiwa HS-P7
The most famous, along with
the world’s first Walkman, a portable player. And it’s all thanks to the movie.
“Back to the Future”, because it was with him that Marty McFly walked and with his help
sent in the past his unlucky father on a date with his young mother.
Device released in 1984, had an auto-reverse and track search system,
supported all types of tape and Dolby noise reduction system. The player weighed 275 grams.
34. JVC CX-F7K
1985 player with rich
equipment and high sound quality. It featured full logical control
tape drive mechanism with quasi-touch keys, support for Dolby NR and all types of tape with manual
switching, hitchhiking and built-in radio. Corps was
metal, the player worked from one AA battery.
33. Toshiba KT-AS10
Model 1985,
unsurpassed in its miniature. Trying to create the smallest player
led to a model that was substantially smaller than
the cassette itself.
And if competitors’ issue was solved by creating a sliding
case, the Toshiba developers
decided that it would do. As a result, in
during playback, the cassette sticks out. Removable unit included
tuner, made in the form of a cassette cut by one third. Block
playback at the same time was very good, with full hitchhiking and support
metal tape.
32. Aiwa HS-G8
Top player from the Cassette Boy series 1985
of the year was distinguished by advanced equipment. Features included full logic
LPM control with touch keys, remote control panel,
five-band graphic equalizer, silence search system, support
Dolby noise reduction systems, possibility
connecting two headphones. The model was produced in seven different colors.
31. Panasonic RX-HD10
Another rare bird –
two-cassette released in 19’86 to compete with Sony. True, the topic did not receive development, so the model
migrated to the category of exotic rarity. Unlike the competing model,
there was an auto reverse, as well as a remote radio unit.
There was support for the Dolby noise reduction system and the possibility of synchronous dubbing. Weighed the apparatus
260 grams.
30. Sony WM-505
The first wireless Walkman appeared in 1988. Of course, then the transfer
signal was carried out via a radio frequency channel, two separate
transmitter for the left and right headphone channels. The frequency range was
quite decent – from 30 to 15,000 Hz, this was enough for most cases.
The player weighed 210 grams, it supported the Dolby B system and auto-reverse,
included was a battery and an external removable battery pack.
29. Toshiba KT-G770
like Sony, Aiwa or Panasonic, most Toshiba phones didn’t reach, but they
took the original design and bright colors. One example is the model
Toshiba KT-G770. The basic requirements for a cool player are met here –
Dolby B NR support, XLS bass extension system, work with different types of
films. But the main feature of this Walky is the finish of the front and back panels.
real red leather!
28. National RX-S41
Competitor to Sony’s DD series was released in 1985. It also had direct drive,
could record sound in stereo, and all controls were placed on the cover
cassette receiver. Dolby system support was
available, as well as an external microphone. The device was powered by two alkaline
batteries for 6 hours, the weight of the device was 275 grams.
27. Sony WM-D3
The younger of the two
professional Walkman players and recorders, released in 1985 and produced on
over the course of 15 years. It was distinguished by excellent mechanics, as well as the use
amorphous head. It even had a tape counter as well as level indicators.
recording signal. The model worked with any type of playback cassettes,
but recorded only on ferrite and chromium. The model had a line output, and
also separate level controls for playback and recording. Machine weight
was 370 grams.
26. Aiwa HS-JX101 / JX10
Aiwa was one
of Sony’s main competitors in the cassette player market.
Twisted to the limit
model 1987 years combined an excellent deck with the ability to record from the radio
or from a microphone, it was equipped with auto-reverse and support for any type of film
and Dolby B systems. The model also had a digital tuner, and a wired remote control
allows you to control all playback and recording functions. The kit also included
external battery pack, but the main power source was the battery,
which could be charged in just one hour.
25. Sanyo JJ-W6
Model 1989 with
wireless headphones did not save the buyer from fiddling with cables, because
rather long wires departed from the radio, ending
in-ear headphones. The main advantage of the Sanyo JJ-W6 was that the receiver
was small in size and easily attached to clothes or placed in a chest
pocket. The player itself was equipped very well – support for different types of film,
Dolby B noise reduction system, additional battery compartment. Was even
velvet carry bag.
24. Aiwa HS-PX30
One of the attempts to create
wearable cassette player that matches the sound quality
full-length decks.
The main feature of this 1989 model was the use in
high quality amorphous HX head
iron, support for two noise reduction systems – Dolby B and C and the presence
parametric DSL system for powerful bass reproduction. Included was
wired remote control and external battery. Frequency range at
working with a metal tape was from 30 to 18000 Hz.
23. Panasonic RQ-S1
The first S series turntable,
in which the main attention was paid to sound quality. Released in 1989
the model was equipped with an amorphous head with a small gap FG, the thickness of the metal case was only 17
mm, the player weighed 145 grams. The tape drive mechanism had an auto-reverse, in
there was a Dolby system, a remote control
on the wire and a built-in battery, from which the player could work 3.5
hours.
22. Sharp JC-K99
The lightest cassette
record player in the world weighed only 99 grams, and all due to the fact that his body
was made of carbon fiber (carbon fiber)! And this means that he was and incredibly
durable.
It was produced in several different colors, supported the Dolby system and all types of tape, it also came with a wired
full function remote control. The player was powered by a built-in battery.
or an alkaline battery housed in an outdoor unit.
21. Sony WM-DD9
Issued for ten years
anniversary of the release of the first Walkman, this player set the industry standards to the end
XX century. Stuffed to capacity with innovations (two engines were used,
providing auto-reverse, LMP comparable in level to stationary decks,
digital speed stabilization system on a quartz oscillator), apparatus,
first of all, it was distinguished by an amorphous head providing a frequency response of 20 – 20,000 Hz, and
gold-plated headphone jack!
20. Sanyo JJ-P101
The model appeared on the market in
early 1990s, but some of its features still look simple today.
incredible. Particularly transparent (!) touch control keys
playback on the cover of the device! The user has the feeling that he
got into the future, because these keys do not have any feedback in the form of a click
they gave, on the windows through which the cassette was visible, it was just necessary
press like on the touchpad of a modern laptop.
The deck in the Sanyo JJ-P101 was
equipped with heads with double azimuth, respectively, the tape drive mechanism
was with autoreverse.
19. Aiwa HS-PL55
Nice quality player
1990 was enclosed in a metal case and was supplied with a battery
battery, the charge of which was enough for two hours of continuous operation. Enlarge it
time could be due to an external block for ordinary finger elements
nutrition. The player was equipped with an amorphous head with a small gap, supported the work
with all types of tape and Dolby B noise reduction system.
also a two-level proprietary bass extension system called DSL and full auto-reverse. The weight of the model was 170 grams.
18. Sony WM-FX5
Rare and interesting player
1997, distinguished by the mirror surface of the back of the case. WITH
on the other side, on the cover of the cassette receiver, all the controls were located,
however, from accidental pressing in the pocket, the keys were covered with a neat
curtain, which had to be moved beforehand.
A special feature was the presence
TV tuner, the sound was also very decent – the presence of Dolby and Mega Bass systems helped.
17. Sony WM-701S Special Commemorative Edition
Limited anniversary edition
version of the WM-701c model, released in 1989 to
decade of the format. It was distinguished by a metal body coated with a layer
sterling silver, and the corresponding inscription on the lid. From a technical point of view
the player did not differ from the base model, which means it had a remote control
control system, supported Dolby system
C and
weighed only 150 grams.
16. Sony WM-EX1
The player was released in 1994
15 years of the Walkman format. It was distinguished by a sophisticated body of
magnesium alloy, accelerated track search – 25 times faster, remote control with
LCD display on the wire and high-quality complete headphones with good insulation.
The model weighed 184 grams and could work 12 hours on a single charge or 25
clock from alkaline batteries.
15. Panasonic RQ-SW70
Perhaps the most reliable
secure cassette player in history, produced since 1997 in the Shockwave series. Added to the forged metal case (!)
rubber seals and full waterproof. The weight of the model was 303 grams, in
it also had a dual-band radio. The player worked from two alkaline
batteries, power reserve was 6 hours.
14. Sony WM-DD100 Boodoo Khan
Portable player
1986, in which the proprietary system was first applied
dynamic loudness DOL (Dynamic Optimun Loudness), which was
designed to improve the sound of the low frequency range. It is from this model
the history of Mega Bass began, as well as all competing systems of other
manufacturers. Included were branded DR-S100 headphones, designed
taking into account this system and allowing to get the maximum effect from it.
The player weighed 300 grams and was powered by 9 alkaline batterieshours.
13. Panasonic RQ-SX20
One of the latest
high-quality turntables of the company had a completely metal case, a remote control
control on the headphone wire and supports Dolby B.
All
the LPM control keys were placed on the cover of the cassette receiver. weighed
player 160 grams and could work up to 45 hours with a combination of built-in
battery and an external unit with batteries.
12. JVC /
Victor CX-10
Compact player 1991
had an all-metal body and weighed 139grams together with the battery
battery. Power reserve when using rechargeable battery and external alkaline batteries
was only 13 hours. The player had a Dolby B system and a wired
remote control, the package also included a charger.
11. Panasonic RQ-S55
When developing this
turntable in 1990, the emphasis was not on equipping various
functions, but on sound quality. Therefore, it was installed branded
amorphous FG head, there was support for systems
noise reduction Dolby B and C,
as well as the S-XBS bass extension circuit. It had a built-in battery, from a full charge
which the device could work for 2 hours, an external block for alkaline
batteries. Model weight was 149grams, it was produced in white and black colors,
There was a small remote control on the headphone wire.
10. Aiwa HS-JX2000
Released in the early 1990s
the decade of the first player of the company, the model differed not only in gold trim
case, but also excellent equipment and sound. It contained an amorphous
close clearance HX head for excellent rebound
low frequencies. Of course, the kit included a remote control on the wire, as well as
external microphone with stereo recording capability, plus charger
for the internal battery.
9. Panasonic RQ-SX7
Introduced in 1994 player
turned out to be very advanced. Its main feature was the presence
wireless remote control, which was attached to the case
devices on special latches. It also had several presets.
equalizer for different listening scenarios, the kit included high-quality
Dual diaphragm headphones with Vibration Sound.
The case was completely metal with the Shell Lock system, weighed
player 186 grams.
8. Sony WM-EX9
sale in 1998, it had the thinnest body of any turntable on the market.
market – 17.4 mm. The device could work for 100 hours from an external
battery and built-in battery and had an all-metal body. IN
the set included a wired remote control with an LCD screen, the player worked with cassettes
of all types and was equipped with a proprietary system of adjustable loudness AVLS. The weight of the player was 165 grams.
7. Panasonic RQ-SX72
1999 model year released
to the 20th anniversary of the format and set a record for the duration of work with
using the built-in battery and an external battery pack. Stock
the course was 100 hours. The player was enclosed in an all-metal case and
produced in different colors. The LCD screen of the wired remote control had a backlight,
there was an original battery check system with a color
indication.
6. Sony WM-D6C
Senior Professional
recorder and player 1984 years old, the quality of which may well be
comparable to good stationary decks of the eighties of the twentieth century. Apparatus
designed in a rather large case and can work with all types of tapes.
Mechanics
and electronics – precision class, sound quality – excellent, according to
parts of transparency, detail and coherence of the sound, few people can put
near. The use of an amorphous iron head and high quality
LPM.
5. Panasonic RQ-SX97F
The most richly equipped
the turntable of the company in recent years had a metal case and a solid set
functions. They included the ability to record in two directions, a remote control with
LCD screen, built-in radio receiver with memory cells and digital display,
cassette track search system, support for Dolby B. Built-in
battery and external battery pack together provided playback in
for more than 80 hours. The player weighed only 144 grams without batteries.
4. Aiwa HS-JX707
One of the best players of all
times was released in 1992 and was distinguished by the highest quality of workmanship and
sound, as well as extensive functionality. One of the original features was
the possibility of continuous recording on both sides of the cassette with the help of auto reverse, and
the version with the letter D also had a built-in TV tuner.
Even the engine in the player was
three-phase and provided unsurpassed smoothness of rotation. Of course, the player
had a remote control, supported all types of tape, the charge was displayed on the LCD
batteries and the mode of operation of the LPM, as well as the frequencies of radio stations. Weighed turntable
220 grams and could work from the built-in battery up to 2.5 hours.
3. Panasonic RQ-SX91
Full metal
housing with Shell Lock system, support for all types of tape with automatic
remote control with LCD screen on the headphone cord, rechargeable
accumulators, logical control and autoreverse. This is what perfect looked like.
portable cassette player. It’s just a pity that he appeared on sale on the very
the end of the existence of the format, in 1999. Player Panasonic RQP-SX91 – swan
song format, however, even today it looks very solid.
2. Sony WM-EX20
This unit was released in
1999 for the anniversary of the original Walkman, and it reflected the entire
progress that has been made in the 20 years since the first
real portable cassette player.
The model is housed in
stainless steel, the headphones were decorated in the same design. On the line
a remote control with an LCD screen was attached, and the kit looked fantastic.
In addition to supporting all types of magnetic tape and the minimum thickness of the case
The model features the ability to rewind cassettes at double speed and
sound enhancement features Mega Surround 3D and Mega Bass. Weight – 180 grams,
thickness only 16.9mm at the thinnest part.
1. Aiwa HS-PX1000
Ultimate player 1991
by Aiwa many
rightly considered the best for the entire existence of the format. Enough
one enumeration of functions to understand how serious this car was.
Full titanium body, amorphous magnetic head, system support
noise reduction Dolby B and Dolby C, built-in seven-band spectral
analyzer with LCD display. Of course, there was also a hinged block here.
for batteries, plus a decent capacity battery was included. The owners claim
that with a good cassette the player plays better than expensive portable CD players
same period.
50 best cassette recorders, according to the editors of Hi-Fi.ru, released in the “golden
era” audio, collected here.
Alexander Chechelev
July 10
2022
Tags: Cassette ,
Cassette player ,
Collections ,
Tops ,
Similar to ,
Walkman ,
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Ricatech RMC430 – turntable
Description of Ricatech RMC430 turntable
The RMC430 is a unique multifunctional system housed in a wooden case. Designer stylization for radiograms of the 50s is side by side with modern technologies. Under the top cover of the case is a turntable equipped with a straight arm, a cartridge with a removable stylus and a speed switch (33.
3, 45 and 78 rpm). Built into the front panel are 4-inch full-range drivers that hide behind shaped cutouts with a protective mesh and are controlled by an amplifier (2 x 2.5 W). The model has a built-in cassette player, AM/FM tuner, CD player and CD recorder. The recorder allows you to digitize and burn a vinyl record or tracks from an audio cassette onto a CD. Recording from the tuner, from external sources and from the onboard CD player is also available. There is an equalizer (5 presets).
A metal insert is attached to the front of the case, the center of which is occupied by the main and additional LCD displays with blue backlight. The secondary display shows the number of the track being played. Above is the backlit AM and FM frequency selection dial. Nearby are LED indicators for stereo and standby modes. To the right of the scale there is a radio tuning knob, as well as programming, folder selection, search (for MP3 discs) and recorder tray buttons. There is also a 3.
5mm headphone jack and a power button. On the left there is a volume control, source selection buttons, radio band / ID3 tags, keys for erasing a disc, finalizing and splitting a recording into tracks. There is a mini-jack line input. In the lower part on the left is the CD player tray with buttons for controlling playback, opening the tray and turning off the power supply to this player. On the bottom right, there is a CD burner tray with control and recording keys that can read discs with MP3 files.
Cassette player integrated in the side panel. The cassette is loaded into the slot with the eject/fast forward key located nearby. The mini system is equipped with a flat remote control that can be attached to the left side panel thanks to its built-in magnet.
The rear of the RMC430 houses the line-in and line-out RCA connectors. The model can be mounted on the optionally available RMCT305 table with storage space for vinyl discs.
The RMC430 mini system will help you create a cozy retro atmosphere in a bar, restaurant or in an ordinary room, as well as provide high-quality sound from any of the available sources.
The CD recording function expands the capabilities of this model.
Ricatech RMC430 turntable features
- Retro design, full wood cabinet
- Digitization of vinyl discs, cassettes, CD recording
- Two built-in 4″ full range speakers
- AM/FM tuner, CD player, CD recorder, cassette player
Ricatech RMC430 turntable specifications
| Supported formats for CD player | CD- DA, CD-R/RW, does not read MP3 CDs |
| Supported formats for CD recorder | CD-DA, CD-R/RW and MP3 files recorded on them |
| Supported disc types for recording with CD recorder | CD-R/RW 902 67 |
| Digitizing/File Format | PCM, 16 bit/44.1 kHz |
| Turntable | 3 speed discs (33.3, 45 and 78 rpm), electronic speed change, direct tonearm, easy-to-change cartridge stylus |
| Adapter for 45 rpm vinyl singles | yes |
| built-in cassette player | yes |
| Speakers 9 0267 | two 4″ wideband drivers |
| Amplifier power | 2 x 2.
|