Virgin "Chrome" Type 2 Cassette - Unwrapped!

[@vwestlife]

In the U.S. I don't think the FTC would allow a non-chrome tape to be marketed as simply "chrome". That's why they always said things like "chrome position" or "chrome equivalent".

[@watershed44]

@VWestlife Maybe not in the past decade or two, but in the 1980s and earlier? I don't think they had the time and staff to reach out that far, back then, even though they might have wanted to. When you look back during that time, there was a LOT of fudging of specifications, even if their might have been general legal requirements to provide accurate information. I was around as a child and teenager back then, and had first hand experience with the industry playing loose with the facts.

[@EZ647]

Hi, This cassette is a bit of a problem because it basically consists of "generic" components during the 90s. This shell was used by a large number of companies on all sorts of different selling brands. In my collection alone, about 14 different brands used this design. The shell is probably made in Asia and is found under many cassettes from Asia, but then there is one big customer in Germany, Dessau. The Dessau factory was destroyed in the late 1990s. However, this shell has also been found in other manufacturers and it is because of its simplicity that information about its origin is unclear. Some pieces have a very protruding edge on the body surface, which causes slight discomfort, especially in decks with a narrow cassette compartment. These hubs are almost generic, produced in several designs of small, or large clamp. This is the biggest weakness of this cassette, as both Emtec and these hubs have major shape and strength stability issues at times. The tape used, as well as the whole issue of this cassette, is a matter of conjecture and debate. Different pieces of cartridges may indeed contain different tapes from different sources with different compositions. From true chromdioxide all the way through to FeCo tape. The guys at tapeheads net will be experienced enough to help you with identification or description for this cassette. Your Virgin chrome probably best fits the concept of the 1998 Philips CD Extra made in Dessau, Germany, by the very large serial number printed in black. It should generally be true that if the tape contains even the slightest hint of a shade of brown, there will be no chrome. For tapes of black, gray, or with a tinge of soft blue, chromo is possible, but not necessary. The typical aroma for chrome dioxide tapes is no longer present in modern chrome dioxides, or in some manufacturers. Another excellent test of chromdioxide tape is translucency against strong light. If the tape shows through even minimally, it is not chromdioxide. But beware, other types of tapes other than chrome oxide can be opaque, so all information needs to be thought through in detail. Regards EZ

[@CassetteComeback]

Nice detail. Yeah, I thought the Type 1 could be Dessauer. If they used this shell too, and it is a genuine EU made cassette, then likely they made this too.

[@EZ647]

@@CassetteComeback That's right, Dessau type I and II is very common in various brands. I just don't understand that I posted it three times and youtube deleted it every time.

[@kiirunavaara]

Fully agreed, this is clearly a cassette assembled by Dessauer Magnetband GmbH. The key is the style of the serial number printed on the spine. Shell is the Chinese ICM knock off, probably by Kolormagnetics. Tape could be from Dessau themselves, or fom Oosterhout, or BASF/Emtec. There are similar cassettes around, also marked Made in EU, but with a shorter code stamp on the spine. For example some Lekium, K7-Pro and B&S branded ones, sometimes in the same shell, sometimes using other modern bulk shells. These were assembled in Oosterhout, first by SK, later by RMGI (the plant changed ownership around 2005/6).

[@EZ647]

@@kiirunavaara Hi, I consider you to be the best expert on the subject of cassettes. I have long wanted to make a registration on one of the two websites, but have always been discouraged by typing through the English translator. Maybe it's time to change that. I would need help identifying the selected cassettes. If it wouldn't get in the way, I'd be happy to join one of the web sites you recommend. Sincerely EZ

[@kiirunavaara]

@@EZ647Thanks, but I feel far from being a real expert, have never worked in the tape business, this is just a hobby for me :-) Now I'll try to send you a message via the contact info on your website. Regards, Martin

[@bletheringfool]

I will always enjoy more cassette videos from the legend that is Tony Villa. Not only have I subscribed to the toy channel but love the videos there too. The toy Chest site is a real treasure trove.

[@CassetteComeback]

It's going to have more variety at least 😁

[@viajanteiluminado]

What a coincidence! A few minutes ago i unwrapped a cassette for the first time im my life. Pretty cool!

[@randyharrigan4790]

Thank you tony for your continued commitment to the cassette community 👍

[@nickbitten9910]

Yay! Another Cassette Comeback video. Don't think I have seen a Virgin tape before. You learn something new each day.

[@Dejan1989.]

Remind me on PHILIPS CD ONE Ferro Extra

[@MrAnalogDan12]

The numbers on the splicing tape look like BASF/EMTEC to me. These shells were also used on Philips late 1990's cassettes the likes of the CD Extra and CD One. A while ago, I got a cassette branded with "Lekium", these were sold in french supermarkets with similar hubs, similar case, and similar shell and these ones sounded like a good TDK SA.

[@baron_lawder5886]

So happy to see you posting new video !! I'm into cassettes mostly thanks to you ! Thanks for everything you did Tony

[@jasejj]

Memorex also badged these tapes up at one stage. I always assumed they were BASF based. Theory about complete knock down kits I think is probably sound! Subbed BTW

[@Fabiano_Americo]

Hello Tony! Here in Brazil, BASF (pronounced like a word here) made some tapes in the late 1990s with this same shell, sometimes darker, sometimes with the same shade.

[@CassetteComeback]

Thanks for the info

[@wepif]

Love these videos I have recently got back in to recording back on to cassettes its a fun hobby using an Aiwa AD-850 deck

[@DaXande135]

The 7 that is printed at where the tape begins instantly reminded my of BASF tape, I also got one with a 7 printed on it. Now - I checked my BASF Reference Maxima TP II after you said it could be the same tape, and my TP II has the exact same glue spot with 7 printed on it multiple times and in two lines.

[@CassetteComeback]

Hmm. Interesting. The tape did perform very well...

[@Rompler_Rocco]

5:32 Gunner Olsen, ladies and gentlemen! "Let's have a listen to how this virgin performs"... 🤔😉

[@harrystevens3885]

They are BASF super chrome which had added cobalt to raise the sensitivity to match the Japanese cassettes of the time, you could get them for 20 to 30p (no cases) a few years ago unbranded and widely available in the UK and the USA on Ebay. I got a box full. Virgin label at pound land two for a quid, nobody wanted cassette at that time( including Virgin) that's how Poundland got them in bulk bought cheap from Virgin.

[@maximumoverdrive2219]

Tonys cracked hes on a rampage

[@CassetteComeback]

I got my mojo back 😁

[@ubtrippin9980]

Thank you Tony for another great video! Fascinating. This tape sounded really good.

[@macdaniel6029]

I really like that you upload more regulary now so I subscribed to the other channel :)

[@kenbilling9390]

Hi Tony I am from New Zealand the shops here don't tike cassette tapes,I never knew there was so many types of tapes, thanks Tony .

[@benkrake3678]

What an interesting video, and has given me a bit to think about. What I can take from this video, is that the difference between the major cassette manufacturers, TDK, Maxell, Sony, BASF, and the minor manufactures, is that you’re paying for the high grade shell as well as the tape. The cheap manufactures you are paying for the tape, not the shell. The TDK SA/SF equivalent for this time period have a much better shell, so that’s what you’re paying for. Doesn’t mean to say that the cheaper tapes aren’t good.

[@CassetteComeback]

Indeed, but the TDK cding and SF of around this time weren't in great shells either.

[@benkrake3678]

@@CassetteComeback think I know which SF you’re talking about, the one with the smokey brown shell. Here in Australia we didn’t get that version. We got the version with the shell of the early to mid 90’s AD. I can send you a pic if you like. I have one sealed but you can still see part of the shell under the wrapper. Not too sure about the CDing though…

[@darrenhoefler4447]

I look forward to all of your videos Thank You for doing them I learned so much from you 🥂

[@josephfrye7342]

Nice there is chrome type 2 of that cassette tape but I did see the ferric video you made which I can see the annotation there.

[@danielgower5531]

Great video again Tony. I and probably loads of others had cassette snobbery in the 80s/90s and would have walked past these. Also just subscribed to Tony's toy chest.

[@Ale.K7]

Sounds good!

[@Agri458]

Absolutely brilliant video as always. Thanks tony

[@jasonhandy8442]

Happy days keep up the good work jason

[@spacedogsuk3789]

Cool investigative vid Tony...subbed to Toy channel ..cheers

[@Astralify]

I just love the CR7. As for this virgin chrome, it looks very similar (tape and hubs) as Bulgarian Payner chromes that are still available. Very interesting... I do wonder who the actual manufacturer of these tapes is. BASF seems like the likely candidate (for the tape at least), but the shells look like Italian or Swiss on some of these cassettes... Thanks for the video!

[@thetriggerhappypwner]

Those hubs are the same ones in a 90 minute Philips CD'ing tape cassette. I have one here, and the hubs are identical.

[@dirkhoppe5892]

Hi, The leader Tape is very white. Maybe the tape is from RAKS? The Tape looks like the late Maxell SQ Tape from the Discounter Lidl.

[@CassetteComeback]

I've seen Raks and Saehan versions of that, but not one like this. This also sounded better, to my ears.

[@kforkrish]

Lol.... i thought you having more subscribers... but only 20k subscribers you have. I didn't noticed that..... even though you making great content 👌 very glad to have you in youtube 😀

[@CassetteComeback]

It's a niche market. In the grand scheme, not many care about cassettes.

[@robine5280]

Sad but true

[@nice5545]

Hi Tony, i’d say judging from the hubs that could be a Philips cassette, i have a type I with the same hubs.

[@CassetteComeback]

Could be

[@JamesE707]

I must admit, I've got to the stage where if I can get hold of an unsual cassette tape, then I'm happy. I'm like a big kid, and I don't care either Tony! :o) Of course - Mr Audio and Maxim tapes excluded ... ha ha, they are on a different planet. Not sure if that Maxim 'tape' is tape!? Enjoying your videos!

[@paulb4uk]

Really surprising another cassette i would not thought anything of has turned out to be expellant, and i would have avoided any amstrad branded tape just like the bbc and bush branded ones i have learnt so much from your video,s and how good these tapes were how i wish i had known at the time so many great cassettes i would have bought had i not dismissed them as being rubbish back in the day.

[@CassetteComeback]

Same here. There was a point when WHSmith cassettes were made by That's...

[@middlesbroughmike1027]

I'm pretty sure I've a Goodmans branded Chrome Cassette with the same style J Card and Cassette as that Amstrad one.

[@FLH3official]

Excellent surprise, this cassette. No chance for me to find this a yard sale in my country. And yes, I've susbscribed to your toy channel!

[@danniielle]

Another great video Tony! If I was to take a guess, I'd be inclined towards this being Emtec. Just a hunch though. Regardless, it sounds great to me.

[@CassetteComeback]

EMTEC / Dessauer, probably going to be German at any rate...

[@trevormorton9973]

I have SKY cassettes with that same shell

[@CassetteComeback]

I can well believe that.

[@SFtheGreat]

I wonder if it Raman analysis would be useful in creating a reference database and identification of tapes.

[@griswold67]

Excellent as always. Subscribed to the toy channel

[@bertheeren7992]

I think it is BASF tape. Look for the numbers between the leader and the real tape. I have chrome maximas with exact the same number format (but different numbers)

[@marcnewman370]

The Dessauer sk c 90 or cx 90 has same shell and hubs, as seen in your "german of brand" video. I like the sound of them, but they seem to have much more hiss. Are the virgin type II free of hiss? I can´t hear any hiss in that recording.

[@CassetteComeback]

It's a direct recording from a great deck, the hiss is there, but there's not a lot. This is a very good tape, I still think it could be BASF Pro Chrome.

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very good

[@dean6816]

Whatever happened to Virgin Cola??

[@ColdSphinX]

2016 they upped the % for "Swiss Made" watches to 60% xD

[@CassetteComeback]

Meh. All the bits are mostly Chinese.

[@general682002]

I try to click your other channel, Tony's Toy Chest, it's non-exist!

[@CassetteComeback]

It's gone. More economical to sell on eBay.

[@gazjones3549]

Looks Philips to me that.

[@CassetteComeback]

Could be...

[@Fabiano_Americo]

@@CassetteComeback I thought Philips tapes were made by BASF. In Brazil Nipponic, Bulk and BASF (later EMTEC) tapes were made in the same factory at Manaus Free Trade Zone, Amazonas.

[@graearea101]

the cassette is a chinese version of the classic ICM c-zero - often used by late Dessau Magnetband cassettes. ive been an ICM enthusiast for ages the more these chinese knockoffs hurt. pure disgrace.

[@JayRRama]

Porh hub vergin

[@Schwabguitar]

Nice, thanks for the video. I just ordered another bundle from cassettecomeback.com here in Canada, and excited to get the Memorex CIRE II. Very cool design from 1991. Tony should send one or 2 over your way 😉

[@CassetteComeback]

I'll be doing a review on the Cire when Tony C send me one.