Nakamichi DR-1 Discrete Three Head Cassette Deck

Price Reduced. The Nakamichi DR-1 was Nakamichi’s top of the line cassette deck in the last years that it made cassette decks. The DR-1 included Nakamichi’s latest technologies and operating features. Its playback-azimuth fine-tuning knob lets you ensure optimum performance with any tape, even those recorded on decks with
misaligned tape heads. Its bias fine-tune control lets you adjust for minor variations between tape brands. In addition, it features Dolby B and C noise reduction, a discrete Crystalloy three-head system, and Nakamichi’s quiet, microprocessor-operated Asymmetrical Dual-Capstan Diffused Resonance Transport. An integrated play head/amplifier assembly places the playback circuitry at the head assembly to minimize signal degradation. Nakamichi guaranteed the DR-1’s frequency response to be within +/-3 dB from 20-21,000 Hz, even with normal-bias tape. Other specifications include: S/N ratio 72dB (Dolby C), total harmonic distortion <0.8%, and wow and flutter < 0.035%.

I bought the Nakamichi DR-1 in 1996. I didn’t use it much then, perhaps only 30 hours total, and then it was unused for many years. The deck was cosmetically in excellent condition and seemed to operate flawlessly, but I knew it probably needed to be serviced after that many years to, at least, lubricate it and replace dried-out rubber components.

I sent the DR-1 for a complete restoration to Electronics Service Labs (www.nakamichi.us), an authorized Nakamichi service center whose owner received Nakamichi factory training and who, in turn, was hired by Nakamichi to train other service technicians. The cassette deck was thoroughly overhauled, cleaned, upgraded, demagnetized, and aligned. The transport was repaired, cleaned, and relubricated. Some worn, defective, and known-to-fail parts were replaced, including leaky playback amplifier capacitors that were replaced with robust versions. Controls, switches, and contacts were cleaned and the reel motor was overhauled and oxidization removed. Finally, a complete alignment of the transport mechanics and electronics was done that meets or exceeds the Nakamichi factory specifications. Equalization modifications were done to optimize recording with TDK MA cassettes in ZX 70us, TDK SA & Maxell XLII in SX 70us, and TDK D in EX 120us. The restoration includes a two-year limited warranty on the parts installed and the work performed.