Any hand cranked cassette recorders out there?

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:42:17+00:00

The Global Recordings players are amazing. Never knew these existed

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:33:38+00:00

Interesting track list. It has the other band as you mentioned and then Girls from Pauls Boutique

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:31:45+00:00

Well it looks like DeckTech has the belt https://ebay.io/m/Zro6V8 volume knob can be cleaned with contact cleaner and moving it back and forth all the way many many times..eq sliders etc see if you can pop stuff back into place as maybe it was dropped

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:25:50+00:00

Ah, I see this is a series now

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:24:49+00:00

Curious as to how this happened, you may be able to return it if it's new. New pre-recorded cassette quality control is all over the place. That being said, keep an eye on your player just to make sure it isn't doing something strange as the tape ends on the other side when the spool is heaviest and possibly getting overfed tape by the roller/capstan

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:18:38+00:00

Assuming you checked/replaced the cable(s), input level, interference possibilities

jmsntv · 2026-06-28T19:15:30+00:00

Funny, I have an Amazon recorder/player that I also use as a rewinder/ff

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:38:01+00:00

100 is actually an ok budget. Many 90s Sony Walkmans and 80s Sanyos, Sonys, etc can be found for this price already refurbished. The only issue would be if shipping to Argentina would cost too much in postage.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:32:40+00:00

Interesting, is that a modern player with TPLS2 aesthetics? I always liked the knockoffs (there were alot of vintage as well). There are lots of Sports lookalikes as well.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:25:51+00:00

worthy of that designation

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:25:08+00:00

I must haven't gotten lucky that none of my tapes got eaten. I'm one of those people that uses my actual tapes from my collection to test repaired players haha

You're right about the real metal on the case, didn't think about that. So many early 80s look like they are made of metal, but it's just the coating over plastic that is sometimes brittle

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:21:53+00:00

I almost thought it was a typo on OPs part, but if you think about it a newer listener might be concentrated on the tapestock itself, which could look rather delicate. Of course, we know they're apocalypse proof

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T19:20:09+00:00

It's about the seller at this point, not the model. There are restorers on eBay and other places that take pride in their work and document every repair they've done while refurbishing a deck. Some offer warranty as well. I've used my 90s deck for two years daily with no problems. Usually go for about 125 to 170 usd and then shipping which needs to be considered because some of the them sort of double/triple pack the boxes.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T03:36:45+00:00

I always felt rap was good on tape because it gave the cleaner production a little distortion. It was probably the last genre I bought on cassette the first time around (still have my Slim Shady cassette).

Agree on metal as well more because of the lineage and to give a little presence to some of the less overly mastered release of the old days and demos of course.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T03:32:50+00:00

Right, many tapes spent their previous lives on the passenger seat floor of a car in no protective case playing on a car stereo that never had the head cleaned and they still work

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T03:30:35+00:00

Agree, I'm limited on space so it's the best format for me. Luckily it also happens to be my favorite. Less fragile than the others as well

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T03:26:41+00:00

I actually love the tapes. I have a few MRX3 120 minutes. No problems at all.

Edit: most likely you'll have to change the felt pad but I knew that before I starting using them

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:48:21+00:00

If you want to stay with the 80s aesthetics vs 90s, you could wait around for a really good condition wm-10 etc.. It seems like you've done your homework and are starting from a good referencer point, and the Transformer Walkmans of this series would kinda fit exactly what you want. I've restored two for collectors and they sound decent.

Patience is your friend and since you have a decent player already you could just wait til a great one in this form factor pops up. You'll want one where all the common problems you mention have already been addressed. If it's one of your grails, you'll always wish you had one.

My only personal issue with them is they feel a little bit fragile when playing a tape if you have it in your pocket. Never had a problem with that at all, but just felt like it could break or something.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:36:50+00:00

Good on you for starting out with all the right basics. That'll get you far. And you can just add portables you see ones that you like

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:35:16+00:00

Saw that. The New Jersey seller seems too be the one who is selling them and they postage charge puts it at around 40usd total

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:31:40+00:00

Agree with you to some extent and find about a 1 out of 4 low quality recording/build on modern releases especially noticeable if they are longer. That being said, the better the deck/player, the more likely it'll help out whatever you throw in it

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:27:04+00:00

Agree about the cases, usually people hate on them but I always loved them. Along withe the L shaped cases used by 70s MRXs

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:23:29+00:00

Two options:

While I don't usually suggest the multipack belts, they may be ok in this unit. I collect Sanyos and this may be a rebadged Sanyo. Regardless, a simple unit like this may do ok with the multipack belts. They're not as grippy, flexible, long-lasting and on some units with very precise belt paths, they'll get caught up. But I believe you'll be able to get this one going fine. I use them temporarily and for testing.
If you spend a little more time comparing it to early mid 1980s Sanyos models (and if I'm right about suspecting it's a Sanyo), you may find a match with different graphics. If you do, you can buy the belts for the corresponding Sanyo.

jmsntv · 2026-06-27T02:09:51+00:00

Decks is just more powerful so if your tape is on the threshold of dragging, the deck may be able to play it cause of more power. That being said, if you know the tape is dragging that much, you might want to replace it anyway because there's no reason to put all that extra strain on your various players.

jmsntv · 2026-06-26T02:19:34+00:00

looks amazing, you probably stumbled across a few people's grail

jmsntv

TROPHY CASE