Nakamichi MR-2 tape speed way too fast

[jeff]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Hi Folks,

I just plugged in a Nakamichi MR-2 professional 2-head cassette deck to
listen to some old cassettes I have. However, virtually all of the cassettes
play at what sounds like double speed. I am not an audiophile, but just
wondering if there is a reason this type of cassette deck would use
a faster tape speed than normal consumer decks, or if there is a way
to slow it down; also if it may just be a problem with the deck. Thanks,

--
Jeff

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

dynamorph@hotmail.com (Jeff) wrote in
news:a5c3d8d7.0411200828.5caf3d62@posting.google.com:

> Hi Folks,
>
> I just plugged in a Nakamichi MR-2 professional 2-head cassette deck to
> listen to some old cassettes I have. However, virtually all of the
> cassettes play at what sounds like double speed. I am not an
> audiophile, but just wondering if there is a reason this type of
> cassette deck would use a faster tape speed than normal consumer decks,
> or if there is a way to slow it down; also if it may just be a problem
> with the deck. Thanks,
>
> --
> Jeff
>

Some of the pro cassette decks had a transport speed of 3 3/4 ips as
opposed to the standard 1 7/8 ips. If there is no switch to change speeds
you may be stuck with a white elephant. All of the Nak decks in the pro
catagory that I ever saw were switchable however.

r

--
Nothing beats the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with DLT tapes.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

>
>Hi Folks,
>
>I just plugged in a Nakamichi MR-2 professional 2-head cassette deck to
>listen to some old cassettes I have. However, virtually all of the cassettes
>play at what sounds like double speed. I am not an audiophile, but just
>wondering if there is a reason this type of cassette deck would use
>a faster tape speed than normal consumer decks, or if there is a way
>to slow it down; also if it may just be a problem with the deck. Thanks,
>
>--
>Jeff
>

If it plays back too fast, but seems to record at the correct speed, the
problem is in the speed control on the front of the deck.

You may be able to clean that potentiometer, but it is unlikely that will fix
the problem.

Unfortunately, that part is no longer available. Though you may be able to wire
around the pot with a couple of resistors to disable the vari speed feature.

Stephen Sank may be able to help you. He repairs a lot of Nak gear.
bk11@thuntek.net
Richard H. Kuschel
"I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Jeff,

While I don't know the MR-2 specifically, I've seen several Nakamichi
machines where the pinchroller arm bearing lubrication dries out and
turns to a putty that looks like contact cement! When this happens, the
rubber pinch roller never really comes in contact with the capstan, and
it is just the take up drive that is speeding the tape along. You have
to be very careful to clean out the old lubricant, especially since some
of the arms may have tape guides on them and will affect the tape path
alignment. Again, this may or may not apply to the MR-2.

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics


Jeff wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I just plugged in a Nakamichi MR-2 professional 2-head cassette deck to
> listen to some old cassettes I have. However, virtually all of the cassettes
> play at what sounds like double speed. I am not an audiophile, but just
> wondering if there is a reason this type of cassette deck would use
> a faster tape speed than normal consumer decks, or if there is a way
> to slow it down; also if it may just be a problem with the deck. Thanks,
>
> --
> Jeff