Aiwa XK-S9000 vs Nakamichi Dragon/ CR-7A

[braxus]

Lets say I have the Aiwa deck. Its needing repair, so Im unable to use it yet. Regardless I had someone mail me the Audio Mag July 1993 article on my deck. Interesting read. The specs they quoted are not as good as the specs Aiwa ended up with. So Im wondering about the CR-7A deck. I've read the Dragon is a better playback deck then record, so I've heard in some ways the CR-7A is a better deck. Anyways does anyone have a scan of the test graphs from a review of the CR-7A? I'm interested in frequency response at whatever they tested the deck at. Also wow and flutter, and signal to noise. I'd like to compare the graphs to my Aiwa deck. Prefer an article from Audio Mag to keep testing procedures the same.

Also someone on another forum mentioned they have both of these decks and was planning to test them both some time. Yet he never got arpund to it. Does anyone on here have both of these decks? If so I'd be very curious as to how these decks sound to each other, especially since specs are not the most important thing about a deck. Of course their sound is most important.

[goldear]

The Dragon is the very best playback deck ever made. Period! No other machine that I am aware of automatically corrects for azimuth errors of the tape being played, and the dual direct drive capstan mechanism ensures about the lowest flutter of any cassette deck ever built! And it is certainly up there in the top 10 for recording too. If you like to tweak your recordings by hand to the nth degree, only a handful of other machines offer the same degree of flexibility over exactly how you set your bias and dolby calibration as does the Dragon.

But the general consensus is that the CR-7a is slightly better for recording. I think that this is for two reasons: 1: The auto calibraiton feature elimiates the human error factor that exists when calibrating the Dragon. 2: The record head azimuth is adjustable on the CR7A (but not playback head azimuth), whereas this is fixed on the Dragon.

FYI - The Nak ZX-9 is just as highly regarded as the CR-7a, and and it offers manual adjustments like the dragon, if this appeals to you. It also offers a 100% nakamichi transport (like the Dragon), whereas the CR-7a uses a superb, but not quite as robust, Sankyo mechanism.

[reeltorock]

I recently acquired a mint CR-7 (no 'A' suffix on this model or the CR-5) and while I haven't had too much experience with it, the recordings it has made are very impressive. There is pretty much no discernible difference between a source CD and a TDK SA-90 recording. That Auto Calibration feature really is nifty.

goldear, you've got the adjustable azimuth mixed up - it's the playback azimuth that is adjustable, not the record head. You can actually hear and see the small servo move the playback head. What's interesting is that the CR-5 (which I've owned as well) chassis is identical to the CR-7, there are just empty holes and mounting flanges on the CR-5 where the CR-7 features would be. Even the space for the playback azimuth servo is there on the CR-5.

[goldear]

I recently acquired a mint CR-7 (no 'A' suffix on this model or the CR-5) and while I haven't had too much experience with it, the recordings it has made are very impressive. There is pretty much no discernible difference between a source CD and a TDK SA-90 recording. That Auto Calibration feature really is nifty.

goldear, you've got the adjustable azimuth mixed up - it's the playback azimuth that is adjustable, not the record head. You can actually hear and see the small servo move the playback head. What's interesting is that the CR-5 (which I've owned as well) chassis is identical to the CR-7, there are just empty holes and mounting flanges on the CR-5 where the CR-7 features would be. Even the space for the playback azimuth servo is there on the CR-5.
Interesting. I know that on the ZX-7 and ZX-9, 700, 1000, 700 ZXL, and 1000 ZXL the adjustment is on the record head, so I assumed that this was true with the CR-7a too. Perhaps I was mistaken about the CR-7a. :scratch2: I'd love to hear nakdoc's take on this.

[braxus]

I'm also curious to know how the Sony TC-KA7ES compares to the Aiwa, especially since the Sony is newer. We all know Sony and Aiwa shared everything from technology, design, and parts in their tape decks and were even made in the same factory I've heard. Anyone here have the Sony deck? I'm aware its a Japanese only model.

[goldear]

I'm also curious to know how the Sony TC-KA7ES compares to the Aiwa, especially since the Sony is newer. We all know Sony and Aiwa shared everything from technology, design, and parts in their tape decks and were even made in the same factory I've heard. Anyone here have the Sony deck? I'm aware its a Japanese only model.
I've got a Sony TC-k909es, which is the immediate predecessor to that Sony. One of these days I plan to do a head to head against my Dragon, but I don't have time right now.

[SkyloWyres]

The Sony is superb. I have been in high quality audio retailing for over 35 years. I was a Nakamichi dealer during the 70's and 80's. I would say the Sony is as good, or better than the great Nakamichi's (ZX, CR, number series and Dragon). The transport is superb as are the electronics. It uses ceramic heads that need no de-magentizing, and will wear better. The Sony has manual adjustments that must be done when using different brands and types of tape. When this is done correctly the tape is as good as the source. One other thing is that the tapes made on it can be played on other machines and sound great (even my factory car deck).

[achoco]

The Dragon is the very best playback deck ever made. Period! No other machine that I am aware of automatically corrects for azimuth errors of the tape being played, and the dual direct drive capstan mechanism ensures about the lowest flutter of any cassette deck ever built! And it is certainly up there in the top 10 for recording too. If you like to tweak your recordings by hand to the nth degree, only a handful of other machines offer the same degree of flexibility over exactly how you set your bias and dolby calibration as does the Dragon.

But the general consensus is that the CR-7a is slightly better for recording. I think that this is for two reasons: 1: The auto calibraiton feature elimiates the human error factor that exists when calibrating the Dragon. 2: The record head azimuth is adjustable on the CR7A (but not playback head azimuth), whereas this is fixed on the Dragon.

FYI - The Nak ZX-9 is just as highly regarded as the CR-7a, and and it offers manual adjustments like the dragon, if this appeals to you. It also offers a 100% nakamichi transport (like the Dragon), whereas the CR-7a uses a superb, but not quite as robust, Sankyo mechanism.

the CR-7(A) : manual play head azimuth adjustable,there is no difference between Dragon about recording;ZX-9 just like ZX-7 has manual record head azimuth adjustment with led to follow like 1000 or 700 and has different transport mechanism from Dragon.

[braxus]

I've got a Sony TC-k909es, which is the immediate predecessor to that Sony. One of these days I plan to do a head to head against my Dragon, but I don't have time right now.

I have the 909ES deck that you have. I know you are busy during this time of year, but when you get the chance- I'd love to hear your take on that Sony against the best decks you have.

[Nakdoc]

As I understand it the Aiwa XK-S9000 was not sold in the US, so you may not find anyone here that has both decks. There is an Aiwa owner on NakTalk that may have some opinions. One really neat thing about cassette decks is that the manufacturers worked very hard to make the best possible decks, at least until the CD was invented. Aiwa, like Nakamichi, made wounderful SOUNDING decks. The specs and test reports never could explain or predict why one deck sounded good, or which deck was better! My advice is to own both! When you use any of the three decks you are listening to nearly state of the art. IMO there is always a better deck out there...the Nakamichi 1000ZXL for example, so balance the other factors ... parts, repairability, longevity. If you need help repairing the Aiwa I can provide it. Most CR7 decks on eBay work fine, but 50% of the Dragons will have service issues.

[Satch]

I own a Nak ZX-9 and a Sony 808ES. I feel the cassette itself is the limiting factor, or maybe I should say: the deck I did most of my recordings on is the limiting factor. The Nak and the Sony are both great, but while the Sony is better looking and easier to use the Nak has the presence. So I'll keep 'm both.