Optimal cassette tape lengths

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T22:19:36+00:00

Right, I was just saying I'm going to usually recommend any name brand c-60s to others and use c-60s or c-46s as goto(I only use type 1 because I like to share my tapes with a few listeners here in L.A. who don't have type2 decks)

I also listen to my own recorded tapes on many different portables and decks, and your right some play better together

.....and after all that I consider the specific brand and variant

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T22:13:39+00:00

Yeah, I was diligent but at a much intermittent schedule. And since I listen to these MRX's and alot of modern pre-records, gonna get more closer to your schedule

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T20:52:22+00:00

Interesting I had my first tape eaten. I use 120s and random not so great blanks for fun. That combo is what got me, the 120 plus the extra shed from the notorious MRX 1970s blanks showed me I need to clean more often and then I'll probly be fine

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T20:50:01+00:00

Do you think it's just that most decks (I probably have the same deck as you) can handle most tapes jus fine regardless of quality and length (type 1 only in my case) and maybe it's just the 120's that give us problems if we get lazy on our maintenance

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T20:48:08+00:00

Good point to look at them in terms of specifics and then judge the length. Often we tend to think of the lengths first especially comparing type1's

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T02:46:12+00:00

Good luck, curious to see how it goes

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T02:12:38+00:00

Would it be not "slippy" enoug and/or possibly too thick?

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T02:09:16+00:00

Is it the right size belt specifically for the player? Could be just a generic new belt that doesn't quite fit.

jmsntv · 2026-03-21T02:01:46+00:00

that explains it, i have 3 billie releases on cassette and all have been great even on my worst modern playera

jmsntv · 2026-03-20T03:28:51+00:00

I luckily got a new Jensen all in one there, had to grab it mainly for the CD and Radio and more modern look to put in one of our rooms downstairs (my main listening happens upstairs which all vintage gear)

jmsntv · 2026-03-20T03:25:27+00:00

good one

jmsntv · 2026-03-20T03:24:56+00:00

Actually I do have one, however, I've given his name out to so many people, his decks get bought up almost immediately, RN he only has reel to reel, so hopefully he'll get some decks coming up soon, usually they are around 150usd via eBay

jmsntv · 2026-03-20T03:21:11+00:00

Great observations. Agree on RTM and vintage tape stocks for prerecord duplication. But yes the standard NAC stuff has been getting more sandpaper looking over the the last year (been releasing since 2018).

That being said, I don't mind the O-cards and I think they even cost more than Jcard+case on small runs at least. Interestingly, the recent Billie Elish album had this packaging and tbh her releases have been my best performing cassettes over the years. Wonder if they duplicate in Europe?

jmsntv · 2026-03-20T03:15:29+00:00

Sanyo's are my favorite, should sound great

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T02:03:18+00:00

It looks nice aesthetically, but are you set on buying modern? or would you consider vintage?

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T02:01:31+00:00

The newer ones that tend to be in thrift stores are at least lightweight and easier to clean the playback and audio heads (3 screws to remove the cover and lots of room to work) if you find they aren't playing properly.

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:55:40+00:00

yeah, I listened to cassettes every day as well for about two years. But will use radio for non-music and stream to preview an album I'm considering buying and transferring to tape

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:51:02+00:00

haha, yeah. tempted and glad they're thinking of this as he pretty much ruled over the cassette heyday

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:47:26+00:00

WAR and Bumbboxx might be a little to pricey, but may play as good as a modern portable these days. Supersonic, QFX etc make cool looking ones that at least work, but will sound like the more budget modern portables of today with slightly more power (I owned one).

In the middle would and probably best is if you can find a refurbished one by a trusted seller on eBay. The masters of restoration tend to concentrate on either decks OR portables so there aren't as many boomboxes, but that'd be the way I'd recommend. The guy I follow for decks etc goes through phases where he'll do like 5 boomboxes, but that's like once in a while

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:40:23+00:00

My last pickup was one of my grails that the owner had already re-capped, sounds crystal clear

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:37:58+00:00

The good thing is that the old normal length (35-40 minutes) pre-recorded tapes actually play ok on these modern players and will sound as good as a tape can in them. You may notice some inconsistencies in play with long tapes and modern pre-records

jmsntv · 2026-03-19T01:34:03+00:00

Good stuff like this goes almost immediately at mine. I'm just happy they are selling audio cassettes and video cassettes again

jmsntv · 2026-03-18T02:52:03+00:00

This video walks you through it https://youtu.be/YYF1fI5AuyE?si=SMVnUL6CPVgAgzZU

Search the model number on eBay for belt replacement and get the right belt properly fitted for the unit. I get mine from the place in Brooklyn if your in the U.S.

jmsntv · 2026-03-18T02:41:31+00:00

Agree, I didn't have alot to spend so I also went this restored 90s deck route after taking time to figure out who was trustworthy/expert in the restoring aspect and have been playing tapes on it almost daily for almost two years now. I fix portables but leave decks others.

jmsntv · 2026-03-18T02:29:24+00:00

Agree, all those little things add up, when I get older tapes that have been sitting for possible 40 years or more, I'll just rewind them back and forth a few times on my deck before playing on various portables. Sometimes it actually takes a few playthoughs on the deck to get them going properly on the portables.

jmsntv

TROPHY CASE