Since its introduction, Nakamichi ZX7 cassette deck is a very special analogue recording/playback component, pre-dating by two years and contributing to the technological foundation of the refined and highly esteemed Nakamichi ZX9 cassette deck. The Nakamichi ZX7 was a leap forward technologically by Nakamichi of Japan, who had created advanced computer assisted cassette decks like the 700ZXL and 1000ZXL, albeit, at a very expensive cost. But then in 1982, the Nakamichi ZX7 was introduced worldwide and immediately revered by audio critics as a milestone in cassette deck use! An audio cassette deck that was loaded with professional features and quite affordable by the discerning yet cost conscientious audio enthusiast. The Nakamichi ZX7 comes with an assortment of manual calibration controls, including adjustable azimuth and bias recording adjustment, Dolby noise reduction, extra durable tape transport system with dual capstan drive, and discrete record/monitor/playback head system. Some of the most precise technical specifications Nakamichi ever designed into a commercial cassette deck! The Nakamichi ZX7 provides "features" that enable the user to attain perfect recordings every time. The recording head azimuth, recording bias, and levels can be optimally calibrated before starting a recording. Every recording I've made with this machine is an exact duplication of the original. When switching between the source and the recorded signal via the monitor switch, I do not detect any difference between the two. The headroom on this machine is like no other that I've experienced. When recording with metal tape, I can set the levels as high as +8dB without encountering ANY distortion. Nakamichi recommends a high recording level when using metal tape to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Recordings made with normal bias tape are equally good. With previous decks, I could never get acceptable off-air recordings. Finally, with the Nakamichi ZX7, I could record off-air broadcasts and get back an exact duplicate of the broadcast. When I first purchased this deck, I found that it revealed a serious mismatch in my tonearm/cartridge setup when recording from vinyl. I could not hear my cartridge mistracking when played through my now replaced receiver. When I made recordings on the Nakamichi ZX7, the mistracking distortion was glaringly apparent. I have since replaced the cartridge and recordings from vinyl are superior. I use the ZX7 when making reference recordings and for serious listening. When burning CDs of LPs, I go to the Nakamichi ZX7 first. There is a warmth, and body that the ZX7 exhibits as well as crisp unsmeared highs that my CD-burner doesn't have. It's unfortunate that Nakamichi nologer produces such machines these days. Anyone Nak enthusiast who is looking for a high-end cassette deck should get the Nakamichi ZX7 if they can find one.

Since its introduction, Nakamichi ZX9 Cassette Deck is a very special analogue recording/playback audio component. The ZX9 cassette deck is an enhanced version of the well-regarded and acclaimed ZX-7 deck which was introduced by Nakamichi during 1982. The ZX9 has completely manual calibration controls, including adjustable recording azimuth and bias, extra durable tape transport system with dual capstan drive, and discrete record/monitor/playback head system. The Nakamichi ZX9 is an awesome deck and highly esteemed to those who know of them. Nakamichi put all their best into this deck but left all the functions manual to keep the price down. Up until Nakamichi closed the doors to their US recording studio, they used 32 of these to do their recording. The layout of the controls and simplicity of the deck make this a easy deck to use. The recording and playback is among Naks best. I find it very accurate without adding any coloration to the recording. People will argue which is Naks best deck forever it seems, so I will attempt to refrain from doing so. As I said previously, this deck is straight forward, it does not have a fancy readout. It has a nice set of meters, which I find very easy to use when setting the recording level and it has a 4 digit digital counter. You have controls to manually calibrate the deck for the tape you are recording on so you will get optimum recording from whatever tape you use. Nak. put all their best stuff in this deck to make a deck to do the best possible record and playback without all the bells and whistles to keep it affordable. From what I understand, some of the componants that went into the Nakamichi ZX9 were individually selected and tested before going into the Nakamichi ZX9 Simply put, this is one of the best home cassette recorders ever available. Strengths:User controls normally available only to technicians; Accuracy; Layout of controls; best of the best.