Deck Sound Challenge: Sony TC-K555ESA vs Nakamichi 680zx & RX-505 - Can You Tell the Difference?

[@hifirulezzz]

UPD: adding link to the original audio file: drive.google.com/file/d/1IC0JJT8AmTumlGuvWwjfogLfpRIMsf0s/view?usp=sharing Well, as after two days there was no correct guess, I provide the proper answer in this comment: 1. Tape 1: Sony TC-K555ESA 2. Tape 2: Nakamichi 680zx 3. Tape 3: Nakamichi RX-505 Do you believe my upgrade for Sony was successful?

[@hifirulezzz]

I just compared the original video and what KZbin recoded, KZbin video has elevated mid-range. I am not sure why they do that for every video. The same issue is with KZbin Music. 😐

[@Tr0uBl3Sh00t3R]

I am in love with the display on the Nak 680ZX =)

[@hifirulezzz]

@@Tr0uBl3Sh00t3R blue filter, the only one in the world with blue LEDs and blue display!

[@DaniloBoban]

When you stopped the music at 32:50 it was left on tape 1 and you stopped the Sony. Tape noise stopped so it was obvious Sony was tape 1. But honestly, while listening, the difference was on placebo level. 680 ZX just a bit more open in the mids which can be noticed on the noise level as well, and again, probably only with heandphones. Really good work in restoring those decks and great music selection. Those heads on 680ZX are the best ever made imho.

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

Hi. I have the Nakamichi 680zx with the original handles, a Denon 850 DRM, with amorphous heads, etc , a Pioneer 850 , a 950, 750 , a Sansui 3300 , 1330 , Luxman k05. In order of personal preference. The Nak and Denon rules in my set. Cheers from Buenos Aires Argentina 🤙

[@edgarpaul2962]

Nice work,interesting selection of music for demo, couldn’t make out much difference from either as I listened from my iPad,eager to know what the order was.

[@V_A_N_88]

Выбранный для теста 1й трек записан близко к идеальному (нынче в цифре так концертники писать не проблема). Но для выявления подобных различий на слух требуются особые треки, тяжелые именно для кассетных дек.

[@V_A_N_88]

И хорошо бы выложить сэмплы, т.к. труба сжала в ААС (похоже, 128). Иначе разницу расслышать реально сложно. По звук из трубы единственное что можно идентифицировать: одна дека лучше отрабатывает панч соло барабана, еще одна чуть погромче

[@downtime5875]

Lovely stuff... Position 1 And the most stunning: Nakamichi 680zx Position 2 Sony TC-K555ESA Position 3 nakamici RX-505 B&W headphones... Position 1 just pops for me

[@hifirulezzz]

@@downtime5875 you guessed one position correct, I will add comment with exact positions in a few days

[@hifirulezzz]

See the correct answer in the comment above.

[@wr7629]

wow!!! very nice cassette deck!!!!!!!

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

No honestly can't tell the difference. They all sound super. Bass seems a little deeper on #2, just by a tiny amount.

[@hifirulezzz]

@@TucsonAnalogWorkshop right to the point, tape 2 has a small bump below 100 Hz. Great ears!

[@hifirulezzz]

See the correct answer above.

[@TucsonAnalogWorkshop]

@@hifirulezzz I was pretty sure #2 was the 680, or possibly the TC-K555, but definitely not the 505!

[@AlanWools]

Nice video for nakamichi's people))) they think only nakamichi can play. But no))) Firts I like sound after record. All decks are plaing good! But i hear too much compression on audio. Why?😏 can you make next time without sound processing please? 🙏 Just limiter for peak. (Clipper) Also what i hearing that sony have more attaks on sound. 18:00 This is very important. Nakamichi lost it. So for me Sony is winner! 505 last

[@hifirulezzz]

@@AlanWools We can't affect KZbin compression. That is the only option, they don't ask.

[@AlanWools]

@@hifirulezzz Is it possible to upload this full file under video, Or some parts of this audio?? please! Maybe google drive.

[@44VPG44]

1 - Nakamichi RX-505 2 - Nakamichi 680zx 3 - Sony TC-K555ESA

[@hifirulezzz]

Nope.

[@hifirulezzz]

See the correct answer in the comment above.

[@44VPG44]

@@hifirulezzz Одну (2) отгадал, но моя 909ES, по звуку больше похожа на 3, поэтому и предположил ;-)

[@hifirulezzz]

@@44VPG44 Удивительно, все 909 что я слышал (2) играли сильно проще 555 серии, плюс я еще динамический диаппазон расширил до уровня Накамичи. Рад что у вас такой замечательный аппарат.

[@44VPG44]

@@hifirulezzz Да, но по звуку мне больше всех понравился вариант 1, но не думал что это Sony 🙂

[@thinkgeeks]

The music lacks high frequencies, and ultra low frequencies, so my 100$ deck will sound same as the nak or sony.

[@hifirulezzz]

Only in your dreams. The selected songs have very low frequencies. I am sorry for your equipment.

[@hifirulezzz]

You may check my playlist I used for this test on Tidal: "hifirulezzz subwoofer test"

[@bakonjafrabrne11]

@@hifirulezzz@ For an answer😂👌-Only in your dreams…

[@ruslansadikov7492]

Супер👍

[@jenia-joss]

Sony TC-K555ESA is the best Then Nakamichi 680ZX Then Nakamichi which is on bottom …

[@mr.t8148]

Sony is best!

[@hifirulezzz]

Guess which one of 3 inputs Sony was connected 😉

[@mr.t8148]

@@hifirulezzz I like smart people and can't stand a smardos!

[@Roudaki677]

@@hifirulezzzSony is on input 3

[@hifirulezzz]

@@Roudaki677 nope

[@hifirulezzz]

See the correct answer in the comment above.

[@kulig1975]

Can you explain why you record and test decks without Dolby? Could it be too much sound attenuation?

[@hifirulezzz]

The hiss level is low in reality. Unfortunately, the recording software increase sensitivity when signal is low.

[@kulig1975]

@@hifirulezzz Ok. I have a Sony KA6ES deck and now I record without Dolby and it is more pleasant. The deck has new capacitors, operational amplifiers, rollers and belts.

[@hifirulezzz]

@@kulig1975 what OpAmps you have installed? I hope AD712

[@kulig1975]

@@hifirulezzz For other originals I had BB2132 2 pieces went to the amplifier section of the playback and recording head. And 2 pieces of Burson V6 red for the amplifying input and orange for the output. I left it like that because the sound is better, brighter and the bass is better controlled. It became less muddy. I will surprise you about the capacitors, I replaced them from electrolytic to WIMA red ones.

[@hifirulezzz]

@@kulig1975 No surprise, I am now mixing Nichicon FG and solid polymers from Wurst Electronics