Technics RS-B100: Massively Dynamic Premium Cassette Recorder!

[@anadialog]

Errata corrige: 1) amorphous heads are surely long-life heads but the name actually indicates the fact that the metal is crystal-less, amorphous, i.e. without a shape. 2) Dynamic range with dbx isn't 96dB but 110dB (at 1Khz)!

[@visnjamusa9395]

More errata corrige: 3) 6:02 dual capstan is NOT used for both directions transport! Dual capstan in this deck can ONLY transport in one direction. This deck can only fast rewind in reverse direction, without using capstans. 4) Direct drive motor means that motor shaft is actually right capstan, while left capstan is belt driven by right-side motor. 5) Capstan motor is three-phase brushless motor, driven by an IC that creates three phase sine wave signal, where frequency is very precisely controlled by quartz crystal oscillator, which ensures significantly lower wow and flutter.

[@jwong19]

Well, I bought that cassette deck in 1985 after listening it together with the reel to reel and the honeycomb monitors at the Plaza Carolina's Mall in PR , Technics' Showroom...I got it since then with the 8066 Equalizer, etc, etc...they are in pristine condition, and it have been used for recording professional samples no more than 60 times...I use a very special metal tape from TDK with a metal frame with almost no friction, as per it's Service Manual reach 110db in the dbx mode...indeed a very good deck that rivals the Nakamichi's Dragon and the Revox at those golden years...a pleasure to see a passionate review. My respects...

[@markthomas2436]

TDK metal tape on THAT particular deck, WITH the dBX done right, assuming a good quality source, will rival a pro reel to reel deck. Once you get the stats this deck can do? You are at the pinnacle of what cassettes are capable of, and it is smooth warm analog sound.

[@frankblacks.45]

Absolutely loved this video! I am, have always been, a "Tape Deck" man within the world of superior analog Hi-Fi. I was born in 1970 & grew up during the Golden Age of Hi-Fi Stereo. Although I started out a Pioneer fan(still love my old Pioneer decks, receivers & monitors) there were different brands & models I wanted to acquire since I was in grade-school because my cousin had them or my friends. A few yrs ago I acquired a Technics RS-M45 which is technically one of Technics' "Compact" decks or "Bookshelf" decks as it's dimensions are smaller than the avg decks of the era. But, this very attractive silver-face deck has Direct Drive & is Metal Tape capable. It is of the 2-Head variety so, I use it strictly for playback only thru a strong, restored 1977 Kenwood KA-7100 Integrated Amplifier now pushing over 70wpc & utilizing two separate power sources, one for each channel giving this beautiful, rich, full sound with a pair of 1982-83 Sansui S-917 3-Way floor monitors which are in amazingly perfect condition. So, that is my cassette deck rig & I have to say I love my Technics RS-M45 deck & would never part with it and it's got me looking for more Technics decks. Love this vid and am now subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to more Tape deck vids & I'll be back to tell about my "Recording Rig" & my JVC TD-V661 3HEAD Tape deck.

[@vkwong7569]

I am 53 yrs old, and grew up with cassettes and 8-tracks, unfortunately no turntables. The machine that I lusted after when I was in my late teens/early 20s was the Nakamichi Dragon, but a CR-7A will do nicely. In the end, bought an Akai GX-52 (lusted after the GX-92) which served me (very) well till the early 2010s.... It's a pity the skill to record PROPERLY on analog cassettes is a dying art. In my days, it is a necessary skill. Good video.... keep the skill alive! PS: I still have a Nakamichi Demagnetizer (AC powered) and a TDK cassette-shaped demagnetizer.... Happy days.....

[@matldn2697]

I also have the TDK head demagnetizer.

[@KR1275]

Nakamichi was a big name, but brands like Technics (RS-B100), Pioneer (CT-A9) and Sony (TC-K777ES) made the same quality at half of the price of the Nak and were less complicated. Later decks from early nighties with high bias (160kHz or 210kHz) and HX Pro are such an improvement that can be said these are the best decks ever made. Try a Sony TC-K990ES. That one is incredible with a great dynamic sound. A Dragon is fun, but not the best deck ever made.

[@matldn2697]

@@KR1275 Sony ES range and Pioneer`s Elite series were brilliant (esp CT-95). I compared both of them to a CR7. Very similar but the Nak beat both of them.

[@cmcapelli]

I have had a Technics RS-6 Tape Deck since 1984. It is part of my first mid-size sound system, as a gift from my parents for my 15th birthday. Since then I have never stopped using the DBX system to record my tapes. I have never used Dolby noise reducers as they are useless and lacking in quality. Until now and since then the cassette player has never failed. Luckily in case the mechanism fails, I can continue to use it as a decoder since it has the "DBX Disc" function. Although I won't be able to use it to record, I will be able to listen to already recorded cassettes, since I can use another cassette deck as a source and use the cassette deck with DBX Disc as a decoder. I have tested it and it works perfectly. Long Live DBX. God Save the DBX!!!

[@ajjuneja]

I own a Technics RS-M253X (3 Heads, Amorphous Heads, dbx & Dolby B&C, from 1984) - I had it serviced once back in 2005 and it's still phenomenal - a metal tape with dbx is glorious.

[@audiotone.]

A very good sounding machine.

[@analoguecity3454]

Even normal bias cassettes (preferably TDK) recorded on a deck like this is jaw dropping in sound! And making a normal bias tape for friends will sound great on their "lesser" tape players! But "high bias chrome" and "metal" tapes are close to MASTER quality on a deck of this caliber!

[@jmi5969]

I have not one but two RS-B100s ... and, IMO, the model is hugely overrated. Sonically it's good ... until a Revox comes around. Mechanically it's a mess, and too many transports on the market are unsalvageable. They just didn't last. The B100 has one big goodie, the all-pass filter in the playback amp. Makes a difference but can't compensate for mechanical issues.

[@anadialog]

That is where Alex comes in. The modified deck is amazing! I have a Revox B215 and the recording is just as good (consider also that the Revox is automatically calibrated, hence not that precise). For repro, the Revox is miles ahead.

[@continentalgin]

Wow, that deck sounds so good!

[@natnanatna100]

WOW!!! Diana Krall sounds sweet! Frequency Response: 15Hz to 25kHz (Metal tape) Signal to Noise Ratio: 92dB (DBX) 800 Euros now on ebay. After that 2000 Euros LOL! The problem with those great machines is that after all these years need professional care - recap- cleaning - regrease - relube. Not so many technicians know what to do with them any more. And if the full logic microcontroller is dead that's it...

[@joeiazizi9808]

I have two sets of RS-6 with dbx that I bought in mid 80s. I bought them because I had digital drums and synthesizers with sample sounds with higher dynamics. With dbx I can retain the same dynamics when recording and playback. The RS-6 is a compact design meant to be stacked as a hi-fi system. I still have them both and still working.

[@ricardoflot2787]

The Technics people made some SERIOUS decks, I'm a proud owner of an RS M85MKII. I've had mine recapped with blackgate caps (now RIDICULOUSLY priced), and I'm in another QUADRANT! 👍

[@erdosydani]

According to the datasheet of a Technics RS-B965 deck, if we record without or with Dolby NR B or C, the recording level (for normal and Type II cassettes) should be at the Dolby sign, it is +3dB. For metal tapes, +6 dB is allowed. Using dbx, for normal and TypeII cassettes peak can be +5dB and for metal tapes it can achieve +8dB. These values are only for the peaks! At this deck, the APRS button (some kind of peak hold) is very useful to find this peak amplitude.

[@DoNaSbaR]

It's a Nakamichi-breaker for sure ! Absolute amazing deck. What a sound! You are a lucky man!

[@matldn2697]

No it is not. A two head Nak easily beats this. Any good 3 head Aiwa or Denon is far better.

[@felixargyle3297]

@@matldn2697 Nak's are piss poor

[@matldn2697]

@@felixargyle3297 On whose "professional" opinion are you basing this on?? They are the best.

[@felixargyle3297]

@@matldn2697 The Tandberg TCD 3014 cassette deck is a far better and superiour cassette deck. But i'm not on to argue. So don't get too offended ;).

[@felixargyle3297]

@@matldn2697 Plus I mostly stick towards Reel to Reel machines that're rather the same sound and equal quility or slightly a bit better. But than again it is reel to reel.

[@mclovinpo]

Can’t go wrong with technics they are the best of the best for decks for me

[@eduardofs6620]

EXCELLENT DECK indeed. I have a Technics RS-B965 (the "best Technics cassette deck ever constructed" according themselves), which has dbx system along with HX Pro headroom extension system, 3 heads and DIGITAL DD Quartz Lock Closed Loop Dual Capstan and a lot of features, top of the line in 1991 (Digital Reference Series). And also a RS-T80R double auto reverse double recording cassette deck, also with dbx, from the same year of the RS-B100. Your model is the only top of line cassette deck from Technics with the dbx disc system.

[@anadialog]

Beautiful!!

[@audiotone.]

965 without modification is one of the worst sounding Technics. I know because I had almost all the best Technics RS-9900/RS-B100/RS-M02/RS-M253X/RS-M275/RS-M280 and many others.

[@erdosydani]

I have the exact same model. I'm in love with it.

[@64akon]

To me the best Technics deck is the RS-M95

[@WiraB]

What a nice Deck.. so sophisticated piece.. love it. I also much love tape deck sounds vs digital.. the character is so unique, espc my nak600 and sony 177sd.. they have bold mid sound, and nit harsh in high freq. I record by self with type II cassettes, and it produce low noise without dolby set up.. my nak610 preamp really help me in set up tone and input/output balance.. viva tape decks!

[@mallacai]

I have a technics RS-M255x 2 head deck, I recorded using DBX on a maxell UR 90, the sound is absolutely amazing, forget dolby S, DBX is a whole new world even with cheap and nasty tapes

[@theaudiocircle]

Interesting, just found out a Denon deck that I picked for ridiculously cheap has amorphous heads. We all learn new things every day! 👌

[@JuEdWa]

Awesome video! This is so amazing C-Cassette Deck! 😆

[@Juraiprince]

Ok...now you've gone and done it! You've made me want to get my Tascam 112R MKII re-belted! THANK YOU!! Hoping it won't cost me a grip! Cheers, and thanks for the great videos!!

[@anadialog]

Keep us updated!

[@Juraiprince]

@@anadialog Thank you sir, I will! I'll be checking into it this weekend. I'll probably have to send it off to get fixed of course. 👍🏾🙌🏾

[@grey9514]

@@anadialog Alas, I recommended this video to a friend, who has a vintage Pioneer tape deck in need of some TLC but I noticed A.N.T. Audio not only no longer has products for sale, but they have stopped offering services. I am guessing your KZbin viewers gave him more attention than he could handle?

[@anadialog]

Hi only sells deck but not as a shop. You must contact him and see what he has available. Takes time for a reply...🤷‍♂️

[@lifecode7634]

mid'80's was a great time ...., and it looks like humanity regressing... if compeer it to tape recording...

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

What a beautiful technics tape deck classic nice bro 👍😎🔥🔥

[@GKONPANA]

Technics Was the best Manufacturer In Tapes decks At that period I was enjoying Recording tapes Because the clarity of the sound Dynamic was exceptional Compare to other machines

[@summer20105707]

17:45 Darn that's nice. It sounds like Dianna is right in the room with you. Like a small jazz club.

[@geoffgero6081]

Super cool deck! I have a Pioneer deck with DBX and it makes phenomenal recordings. I wish DBX had caught on, I would love to have a collection of pre-recorded tapes encoded with it.

[@technics0140]

Thanks for sharing this demo. I have an RS-B965 that I purchased last year and could never workout how to calibrate it correctly, although I never really did much research on how to either. This was a very informative video you did on the process and this morning first go I was able to calibrate mine correctly for the tape I was using. Thanks.

[@anadialog]

Great!! Another top notch Technics!

[@maxoobbxxx8032]

Whoa! That sound!

[@spytromics]

Wow, that was great. And no Auto-tune either! Thanks.

[@RetroJay1974]

I have a Technics RS-B465. Need to give it a deep clean and service.

[@MetalDEmpire]

Got myself one today at the thrift store. my jaw hit the floor when i saw the price $50. my smile was ear to ear walking out that front door. it does need a new belt/idler wheel, but if i play 60 length tapes, itll play with some encouragement.

[@anadialog]

In Italy we say “che culo!!!!!”

[@MetalDEmpire]

lol @@anadialog

[@8BitNaptime]

sweet I scored a RS-B78R at a goodwill for 30$ I am happy

[@olaniyi570]

Definitely in my top 5 wishlist.

[@pankajkumarsingh7949]

Lovely piece of deck

[@johnlovesbridge]

Hi from the USA. Keep up the good work.

[@rig4365]

Guys, I'm listening with my cheep desktop speakers and once the Diana Krall started I was surprised how good it sounded. I had an RSM275x back in the day, I think it was an earlier model top of the line Technics tape deck and I wish I still had it. sigh!

[@trumjohannsmancave]

I love this!!! And I love TECHNICS😀🤘❤🔥

[@petrsittek1021]

Hi everyone This is top notch cassette deck.I owned RSB 405 which had DBX as well but 2 head machine. This 100 version from Technics is is without doubt best cassette deck from company in all time.Calibration allow You get the maximum from any cassette.And source tape switch let control it in real time.Thanks for review.At the moment still I owning Denon DRM 710 and enjoy music from cassettes.

[@e28forever30]

I can pick up an RS-B405 in excellent condition for 10€.. Guess I should do it..😊

[@sjogosPT]

I have a nakamichi cassete deck 1 and iam very happy. Sounds great and with Dolby C you got a very good dynamic range.

[@FileFixer007]

I have Pioneer CT-S740S in perfect condition which I buy new in shop 1995. I love him and I say myself that I never sold him. I've had a lot of offers to sell, but it's at my place today and it plays perfectly. In these days it cost me 880 DM (Deutsche Mark), I have a bill still today in archive.

[@lenward474]

As a dealer back then...making me cry...

[@GREENTICKETRO]

The best beast cassette deck made by Technics!

[@64akon]

To me the best Technics is the RS-M95

[@life5161]

Sounds incredible. Even over U Tube

[@quangphuongbangcoiquangphu7330]

Tuyệt Phẩm Reel ❤

[@anonymex22]

Having the RS-905, i can confirm, if you don't found out, that the dolby indicator, as mentionned in the manual is the limit recording gain when using dolby. It seems that the dolby add a little head room but i would avoid going after this end only at this level for peaks values, because after that you start analog compression! The best sounding is got at -10db loudness range (RMS signal gain), I did the error in my last mixtape, i used 0db + db peaks with a -3db loudness range, and they seems a little compressed!!!

[@DragonboltBlastter]

I wish they would make this cassette player again...

[@dibyamartandasamanta583]

If cassette sales become 80% of vinyl , you will have it

[@Badassvidsz]

@@dibyamartandasamanta583 From your mouth to the God's ears my friend :-)

[@macdaniel6029]

@@dibyamartandasamanta583 Even if the sales would be 1000% of vinyl they would never build a high quality tare deck again because they are simply unable to. If they would build some by hand in very small quantities it would cost several thousands.

[@dibyamartandasamanta583]

@@macdaniel6029 Why they made SL 1200 again? they can not only make same quality , they can make far superior product today.

[@macdaniel6029]

@@dibyamartandasamanta583 Turntables are very easy and cheap to make. Not very much insinde compared to a tape deck.

[@eslameddinghalebi1]

Woah that's some good quality audio

[@spitsini]

Great information!

[@laurentzduba1298]

I used this Technics deck to play back some of my dbx encoded cassettes. Night Ranger's Sister Christian - especially the gated drum finale - sounds epic on this deck.

[@anadialog]

Yeah!

[@digidrum2003]

Did ya throw fire crackers around the room while listening??!!

[@bwithrow011]

Technics also made excellent reel to reel machines with quartz locked isolated loop drives

[@anadialog]

Yeah!

[@georgebarrett2132]

Hi and congrats again mon ami...the Technics? she's a bella! one need only compare what you just played on even the restricted u tubescale with other transmissions to still hear the difference. Miss Kralla sound's as if she's here with me...in the evening...Guido, what (ha) have you DONE! Magnificent, thank you my friend.

[@macdaniel6029]

Wow. I never knew his would be such a good deck. Judging by the model number I assumed a very low end low spec model. I owned a lot of Technics decks, including a RS-B555. A good DD deck, unfortunately only 2 heads.

[@chillwalker]

I say it for years: Wanna have a real fat analog Sound on your Master: Find an old, high-class Cassette Deck (preferable with dbx/DOLBY C or DOLBY S), record out of your DAW directly into the Maschine at almost clipping level, do this with your Dolby C or S activated and re-record this into your DAW / digital Master. Better, warmer and more lively than any plugin you will find!!!!! I do this in mastering a lot! p.s.: Want to comment this as the artist I am...sorry for the repeat (IP)

[@antalantal2366]

An amazing piece of gear. Believe it or not I sold it in the early 2000... What a shame... I do not if you already did but the community of music lovers would greatly benefit from a video explaining how good actually cassettes can sound! The main cognitive bias is that people used to relegate tape-cassette within a second (or even third...) class realm: cheap recorders and even cheaper tape!

[@anadialog]

I did several videos on the topic, yeah! Never enough...

[@puttyputty123]

Yeah, the problem with cassettes is that the cheap decks/recorders we had usually weren't that great. I think it was a relatively expensive technology to access for normal end users, and virtually no one had a good tape deck. A cheap cd player always sounded better than a cheap cassette deck. A great cassette deck however....

[@grizzlyaddams3606]

I like the exvlusivity of cassettes. Can't fogute out why when people have a good thing they want everyone to get in on it. Why? So the plebs can ruin it like they always do? Lets keep this community tight and right. Cool? Thanks.

[@anadialog]

Yeah!

[@antalantal2366]

@@grizzlyaddams3606 Out of curiosity: how could the plebs ruin it?

[@harshp2786]

Very good information and your voice like best teacher to teach student subject easy adopte aur mind and lisean to long long time Thanks

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Great job

[@cabezaderatonmusic]

Brilliant, This masterclass is amazing. Would you mind a quick thought for this model Yamaha Natural Sound KX-800U? Best.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I have the RS-B85 - not Quartz lock but still incredible. Best sounding deck I have owned. Of course would love the Quartz lock but the wow and flutter is still incredibly low on this unit .

[@amnonhoppe]

The Dolby symbol on the meter is there to indicate that it is recommended, that if your recording level is below that point, it is recommended to use Dolby on your recording to suppress audible noise. Recording louder than that, it's less of an issue. (but noise still very noticeable on fad in and fade out of the songs of course.

[@tuffgong9951]

Absolutely concur!

[@vidtech2630]

Agree . How come some good , pre recorded cassettes peak at+5 usually at +3, recorded in Dolby ?

[@mertonnephake]

I’ve always understood that this way too. Also, if you record something really loud and if the recording is dynamically compressed (practically any modern pop/rock/electro music), you may not even notice a change in sound turning Dolby NR on and off upon playback, as there is nothing more to compress/expand, and it’s actually only fade ins and outs that make a difference.

[@jmsbriann]

I owned a high end Akai and Denon 3 head decks back in the day, while they maybe a little less on specs as this nice Technics model, I always had a quality recording for home or car, I now have nice used Tascam with 2 heads that comes close to what I had, it plays my store bought cassettes and vintage home recordings nicely. Good video! Tascam 102 mk ll has 25hz to 19khz , my Akai and Denon DRM 800 went beyond that, but not quite where your Technics is.

[@anadialog]

Nice!

[@tijldufour317]

Dear. thnx for your great video and interesting info. A question, I might buy a 2nd hand technics tape deck recorder : RS-B78R for 200€. Will of course need restauration. But, unfortunately, I see that this model has not direct drive as your model the Rs 100 , but belt drive. So, I am scared that this kind of model while playing a tape at the end of 60 min , the speed starts to slow down. What do you think?

[@anadialog]

Direct drives are great but also belt drive decks. Belts are easy to change so don't worry about that! Just make sure to service, check, set and perhaps recap the machine if necessary. Once done, you will have years of joy in front of you.

[@tijldufour317]

@@anadialog thanks ! :)

[@cassette_decks_and_turntables]

Great Deck ✌️

[@paulfrancis4824]

Amazing Video, I am going to look into DBX now, I'm a fan

[@AriKona]

OK, now I get it. At first I thought you were saying that ALL music was born analog. Something in my mind said, "How can that be? Doesn't my digital synthesizer make music?" Then I noticed your most recent videos say, "Music was born analog." which could mean music, when discovered by man, was analog, which makes sense. Hey, analog or digital in it's creation, I love the music. However, I do prefer to play it back on an analog device, if possible. I remember my Technics system with cassette deck, turntable and integrated amp and receiver. Then came Yamaha and I made the switch and then came McIntosh and I made the switch...and so on and so on. Still have the Yamaha dual cassette deck, but Technics has disappeared...for the time being that is. Thanks for the review.

[@anadialog]

You are right, I actually mean both things: that music has its original form as analog and also generally speaking it is created starting from an analog source, except digital synths, that is true But again, the first synthesizers are analog, moreover when you compose you here music in an analog way so all in all you have my motto.

[@themeantuber]

Excellent!

[@francoisdallaire127]

The Dolby symbol is just and indication at when the Dolby will not be in effect, when you record pass the Dolby symbol, the signal is loud enough and there is no need for noise reduction anymore, we can not perceived the hiss, rememeber that Dolby is an algorithm of compression, and the lower the signal recorded will be, the more it will acts, that's why when you listen cassettes that have been recorded in Dolby B but without Dolby at playback, on the fade out at the end of the songs you can hear the hiss and all the high frequencies become boosted

[@anadialog]

Another, yet plausible explanation. Thx

[@francoisdallaire127]

@@anadialog that's what I learned. Not sure if it's entirely accurate but it's what we learned in sound engineering classes

[@johnnyg1700]

I have the Technics RS-B965 Cassette Deck, which is fully modified with the recommendations talked about on tape heads.net. Upgraded with the excellent ANT4066 switching ICs from Alex, OP Amp swaps & PSU recap. I have to say it blows away my high end Naks, Sony ES's and all the others I have in terms of sound quality on playback and recordings. Even my 1985 dbx recordings I made on metal tapes sound like I've never heard them before. Outstanding deck but nearly all the Technics high end decks sound great. I also have the RS-M253 3 head deck with amorphous heads (unmodified) sounds superb.

[@anadialog]

Sweet!

[@stillben]

thank you for this....fantastic film

[@pererik2000]

I had a Harman Kardon HK1000 which could be calibrated for Dolby-levels. There was a test signal similar to what you show here but only one around 400 Hz I think. At that time (mid seventies) cassettes (brands) were rather different and this calibration was quite necessary to get the treble right. Later cassettes became better standardized and this was not as necessary anymore. I think the Dolby symbol may be a trade mark only or maybe show the level to which Dolby should be calibrated

[@hi-fi-guru]

How can we get more info on the recommended replacement / upgraded op-amps and diodes? Part #'s / values. Thanks or the good video!

[@MadmusicalHulk]

Great Video.. Another new user and subscriber to your channel. I've got the RS-BX808 in my setup which I've had from new, and it still sounds great even now.

[@GustoTheGamer]

Nakamichi Dragon gold my beer 😎 great Technics deck.

[@zambrano966]

Excelente ANA(DIA)LOG, te puedo decir que tuve la oportunidad de usar una de esta y la verdad que quede sorprendido de su rendimiento, y nada de hablar del DBX, si grabas con DBX el sonido es magistral y e Rango Dinámico extraordinario, lo malo es que no lo vas a poder escuchar en todos lados. Soy fanático de los Deck, de hecho tengo tres, Un TASCAM 122 MK2, Un PIONEER CT-F950 y un Technics RS-M260, los tres son tres cabezales, pero para mi el mejor es el TASCAM, aunque el PIONEER graba y suena muy bien, El Technics también graba y suena muy bien también. En cuanto a Nakamichi te puedo decir que probé la DRAGON y me pareció muy buena al igual que la CR-7A y la ZX-9, son muy buenas en grabación y calidad de sonido, ahora en durabilidad mecánica no lo se. Probé un REVOX B-215 y muy bueno también y bueno, lo que hace de este Deck sea famoso es que posee motores directos y no usa correas, lo que hace que no requiera mantenimiento.

[@D4rkS4v4nt]

Excellent video again 👌I have a technics m270x with dbx tape and disc which I picked up for an excellent price from ebay. After taking it apart and cleaning and lubrication it sounds excellent. It is also direct drive like to rs-b100 but not quartz locked. What tapes do you think are best for recording with dbx?

[@anadialog]

Don't have a precise model in mind, you do need quality type II, III or IV cassettes to benefit from the freq. Extent and dynamics. A good Sony, TDK, Maxell, etc are more than enough IMO

[@simonh9806]

Great video. I recently got a RS-B555 at a thrift store for 20€. Nothing like this beast, but how would you rate it and what kind of performance can i expect?

[@mleolv426]

Amazing is the right term

[@laustinspeiss]

Before I watched, I was telling myself they need dbx Surprise, sadly the most overlooked technology of the 80s.

[@percy7387]

I had a Technics dbx deck back in the day, I loved it. Finding one now at an affordable rate can be tricky. However I did find a Luxman dbx K106 which I'm eager to test. There were dbx car cassette units for sale back in the 80s too, they were cool.

[@anadialog]

Yes, I know I would love one now!

[@GlaciaDay]

I love the new intro, it has my open reel deck AKAI GX-635D featured as well! nice.

[@U42s]

Analog Forever!

[@nikolaki]

I have a single dbx vinyl, the dave brubeck you have there. I recorded it to my Proton 740 desk with no noise reduction onto a Maxell XL-IIs tape. My jaw dropped when I played it back with dbx enabled on the deck. 🤤

[@anadialog]

Hell yeah!

[@visnjamusa9395]

Exactly. When copying dbx-encoded vinyl onto cassette using this (or other dbx-capable) deck, one should use NO dbx decoder or noise reduction of any kind and enable dbx decoding on the deck only when playing back the tape.

[@leekumiega9268]

To properly adjust the record bias on tape decks without a 12.5 KHZ signal I use a pink noise generator with built in spectrum analyzer , so on 3 head machines I input the pink noise then adjust the bias for a flat high frequency response with the spectrum analyzer. I usually use CrO2 tapes and find that the bias setting changes with different brand tapes. I only use Metal tapes if the source has an exceptionally wide dynamic range like some classical recordings do. My machine a JVC does have DBX but does not have the option of using is just as a DBX decoder for vinyl , if I were to find vinyl with DBX ( haven't yet) I would have to record it without DBX then play it back with DBX enabled. I never use DBX because my other tape decks do not have it and I find that Dolby C offers adequate noise reduction , vastly superior to Dolby B.

[@anadialog]

Clever!

[@Super8Rescue]

Dolby C was amazing for cassette tapes

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

I have a TEAC V2RX cassette deck from that same era. I bought it new and with 3 heads and DBX my recordings sound great. It does need belts now and I am going to have to find someone who can refurbish it without killing me with the cost. I still have a 12 volt DBX decoder and Concord cassette player from my 86 Mustang. It sounded great in the car!

[@epi2045]

You really should check out the Denon 790R 3-Head cassette deck with Dolby S. 20hz-20khz @ 90DB SNR with metal tape. Unfortunately my ex-wife sold it for $50 in a garage sale.

[@anadialog]

Nice!

[@visnjamusa9395]

This deck outperforms Denon 790R, because it has frequency range 15 Hz - 25 kHz with metal tape and 92 dB SNR with dbx on. Even with Dolby C it is still great, because it has 78 dB SNR, while e.g. Sony TC-KA7ES has 80 dB SNR using Dolby S.

[@AlexMitchell-sj4sb]

I have a RS B33W which is of the same era as this but way, way down the line in terms of cost. My deck does have dbx and amorphous heads also though. I did pay just £25 for it (about €40). It runs very well and never had any issues with it, ran fine from the day I bought it in 2022.

[@larryblake3048]

I have a Technics RS-B605 Deck that also makes excellent recordings. It's just a two head deck but has couple different features from the RS-B100. it features a Class AA recording Amplifier and HX Pro Headroom Extension along with Dolby B, C and DBX. I have been recording cassettes since the format became available on the market. I have had at least a dozen or more different decks over the years from Teac to Nakamichi's and in between. My Technics RS-B605 Deck has to be the best sounding of all of them. The dynamic range of the sound is constant and flawless. The earlier decks with DBX had a slight, I would call a "pumping" sound effect to them, not this deck! I would say if you can find the RS-B605 Deck or the above deck, grab it also!

[@technics-n-thuiast8346]

Thanx for a very thorough video. Deck looks and sounds great. I have recently resurrected RS-B965 and planing mods. Do you know if Alex from A.N.T. Audio does mods on customers decks?

[@anadialog]

I used to, but now he only sells them.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I used to be obsessed with 'biasing' tapes - but when I compared some tapes I made on a really basic deck - I found that listening is more important than biasing. Sometimes pushing levels (or the opposite) has more satisfactory results - play around with it, you may find the same thing. You'll never achieve perfection with a cassette -so have fun ! DBX is really amazing though - love it - too bad it wasn't standard so you can play the DBX tapes in your car.

[@AdiMaco]

I have compared the sound of your sample of Diana Krall with the sound of the same sample from Tidal Master on the same audio equipment and the sound of Tidal Master was a bit better but considering that KZbin is reducing the resolution of your sample, I would say that this RS-B100 is a real badass.

[@anadialog]

Yeah, plus I used a crummy converter

[@54tristin]

I have an amazing Sony TCD 5 M from like 1976 It was built in the pro division and sounded as good as a nakamichi . It needs new belts but the motor is still running, looking for a shop that will work on it.

[@jeffmusicmanasmr]

I have the TECHNICS RS-B965, and I have to say, it's the best cassette deck I've ever used, dbx is the best noise reduction ever.

[@cassetteaudiostilllive611]

Un altro bellissimo video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheMirolab]

I've still got my JVC TD-V711... It's a PHENOMENAL cassette deck and still works fine, but I think the Dolby levels are a bit out of whack on it.... I haven't seriously recorded on it in about 20years, so I may need to get it serviced/reconditioned. When I bought it new, back around 1990, I knew my search for the perfect deck was over!

[@johanvanderpulst5250]

I have that deck too. It is incredible. Great sound quality and it still works perfectly without a service. Something I can't say from my other deck, a Teac V9000 which is a little bit younger but already needed a service. Both decks were top models.

[@Zockopa]

Actually tape decks around 1k new from the end of the eighties are better than those top decks from the early eighties. The reason behind this is the audio cd,which hightens the demands on SN-ratios and THD considerably.

[@LuisAriasSanchez]

Amorphous heads should never, I repeat, never be demagnetized. As clearly indicated by the manufacturer.

[@anadialog]

Not really true. You should avoid it on magnetoresistive (MR) heads like the Technics AZ series or DCC decks

[@dannyprecysroadtoforever5234]

Nice deck and good 3 head cassette decks can sound surprisingly good but their are tradeoffs to using DBX as it is a very intrusive noise reduction system that is very sensitive to calibration and is not very forgiving to reverb and ambiance tails as it tends to struggle to resolve them smoothly. Dolby A is the gold standard of noise reduction but was never offered on consumer gear. Dolby S is also very good but was introduced at the end of the cassette deck era making it somewhat rare. Also frequency response on cassette decks were measured at -20db and a 23k top end is nothing more than marketing hype. In the real world even the very best cassette decks will start rolling off at around 16k even with metal tape.

[@TPOrchestra]

I never liked using any Dolby NR, and I found out why one day. I recorded a Dolby calibration tone at the end of a cassette tape. Out of curiosity I checked it a few years later and it was 3db below what it was when first recorded. So THAT is why Dolby seems to compress too much on playback! With time the tape loses output which throws off the Dolby calibration. I think that the slow speed of cassettes make them more prone to signal loss.

[@Throesofdefeat]

So how does music sound coming straight from the deck? Or do you have to hook it to external speakers?

[@anadialog]

To an amp and then to speakers...great!

[@matthewhilty4209]

It would be neat to directly compare DAT to this dbx tape deck. I wonder if most people would prefer the analog. I think it would be a fun test.

[@anadialog]

Could be!

[@machrider2333]

OMG, it sounds so good! THAT'S IT, I'VE HAD IT! ...this 30 IPS reel to reel Diana Krall master tape is going right in the trash!

[@gfighter2400]

Dude, love the new intro!