I've read that single well tape decks sound better and are better built that dual well decks. Not sure if this is true, an urban legend, or only applicable to lower quality brands. Since I see more dual well decks for sale vs single well decks, I thought I would ask for opinions on the sound quality for playback purposes (I don't record) of dual well 1990s Harman Kardon and Yamaha cassette decks?
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Harman Kardon and Yamaha Dual Well Tape Decks
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KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
It is mainly true. Single machines tend to be better at a given price point.
tmtomh
Active Member
I agree. If I were shopping for a dual-well deck, I'd buy used and go for a model that was at the top of the line - for example, I think Sony made at least one dual-well ES series deck. I think that'd be the only way to ensure you'd be getting truly good quality in a dual-well machine.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Which is another good point, if you truly want a dual well, do buy the best models available.
Economics. You can't make a deck with 2 excellent mechanisms for the price of a decent deck with only one mechanism in it. Corners have to be cut, usually the flywheels are lighter and motors are cheaper, heads cheaper. More plastic in the mechanism, rather than metal. The capstan motor is often used to drive the functions, rather than a third motor or solenoids.
Additionally, dual decks almost always have auto reverse. This is done by rotating the tape head to change direction. This makes it impossible to get precise alignment of the head, so the high frequencies suffer. The head mounting needs to be rigid.
Good explanation:tresbon:
Are there dual well diamonds in the rough from Yamaha or Harman Kardon that might sell for $50 or less in the used market?
I have never seen a dual well deck that was worth the effort to throw it in the trash...
rotovator
Cassette deck fanatic
Let me defend the dual well decks. Not the majority of course, not even a large percentage of them either. Just a bunch of models that were the top of the line and were remarkably good and well built.
And these bunch is made of at least 20-30 models that rival any two head decks in global score.
For example. Top of the line sony dual decks have amorphus heads, large flywheels, two motors per well, plenty of features (like dual recording, sequenced playing). Pioneer has double decks with digital signal processing that IMHO exceed any two head deck performance (CT-606DR, CT-806DR).
Sansui D-W9 and W10 feature sankyo transports with three motors, "random music program search" "compu/syncro" (don't ask, haven't learned what it is
. I bought three of them at very low price, just to have spares, But I find myself using them.
AIWA has a double deck with one well autoreverse, and the other beign a three head well.
Marantz has a double three head deck which I don't know
Technics has double decks with dbx
I find it rather suprising that sometimes in this forum we congratulate someone for enjoying a regular average two head deck, but most of us reject the double deck idea. There are a sufficient number of them worth it.
And yes, most of these gems can be found for less than 50 eurs. But I also see asking prices going to 200 for the top of the line sony
And these bunch is made of at least 20-30 models that rival any two head decks in global score.
For example. Top of the line sony dual decks have amorphus heads, large flywheels, two motors per well, plenty of features (like dual recording, sequenced playing). Pioneer has double decks with digital signal processing that IMHO exceed any two head deck performance (CT-606DR, CT-806DR).
Sansui D-W9 and W10 feature sankyo transports with three motors, "random music program search" "compu/syncro" (don't ask, haven't learned what it is
. I bought three of them at very low price, just to have spares, But I find myself using them. AIWA has a double deck with one well autoreverse, and the other beign a three head well.
Marantz has a double three head deck which I don't know
Technics has double decks with dbx
I find it rather suprising that sometimes in this forum we congratulate someone for enjoying a regular average two head deck, but most of us reject the double deck idea. There are a sufficient number of them worth it.
And yes, most of these gems can be found for less than 50 eurs. But I also see asking prices going to 200 for the top of the line sony
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tromba
Super Member
About a year ago I purchased a Harman Kardon DC5300 dual cassette deck ($10 in a thrift shop) and that thing is HEAVY and looks very well made...
In a recent thread I mentioned how it was playing back music at the wrong pitch, and this was easily correctable on this model.
It seems to be doing a good job for me.