Cassette Tuner Recommendations

[hunters628]

Anyone have any recommendations for a shaft style cassette deck they had back in the day that they really liked? Like most of the other electrical parts in my truck, the radio is toast from being damp so long. Since my dash is un-molested I think I’m gonna keep it that way, for now, and go with a shaft style deck. And since I hate the look of the new retrosound units and I don’t need all the Bluetooth stuff as of yet, I’d like to just stick with a good cassette deck. I enjoy listening to my old tapes often too so a deck that was known for having a good strong tuner is equally as important to me as a good sounding tape deck. Let me know what you guys think!
Thanks
Hunter


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[Octane]

I too would like a cassette deck 2 post.But around here they are apparently extinct.Except for those overpriced china retro units that are costly.I just use my phone music app and hooked to external speaker.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Well, since you asked I had very good luck with Sony. I'm sure the models I bought are no longer available, (1982). I bought two, one for my '82 and one for my wife's car.

The unit was to long for her car so I am using that one in my garage, still. Finally put a CD player in the truck.

 

[Shorty81]

I had an Alpine in my 72 K5, with Jenson tri-axle speakers...Hell yeah !! Didn't need a power booster.

 

[Matt69olds]

I had several Pioneer stereos that I really liked. Since nothing is being made new today, your going to have to roll the dice and hope you find something used that works and you like.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Super Tuner 3

 

[bigcountry78]

I have an Alpine in my truck that I really like. It sounds great to be as old as it is, and I only gave $5 for it and a small equalizer at a swap meet. So that would be my recommendation. It has a digital display, and 6 presets as well.

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[WebMonkey]

+1 on all the above.

scour the swap meets and flea markets.
stick with sony, alpine, pioneer etc.
stay away from the kracos etc.

the lower tier stuff will certainly work but as stated above, the amplifier stages are where the difference is quickly noted.

not just the 'loudness' but the quality of output.

also as stated above, you may have to go through 2 or 3 to get one that still works properly.

good luck!

 

[Doppleganger]

Sony, Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwoods. Can find a good one on feebay for $50-75 - there's even a couple NIB ones for <$200. Unbelievable how much heavier they are than the new junk, and other than a new belt, they seem to last forever.

Best one I ever had was a Blaupunkt from about 1993. Had CD changer controls in it (which I think so does some of the Kenwoods).

 

[Snoots]

I had a Kenwood that I sold. BIG mistake.

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[Jrgunn5150]

I'm planning on having a stock one rebuilt, places like https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/

Can rebuild your stock unit to have all the fancy things and not look stupid like the retrosound ones.

 

[hunters628]

I'm planning on having a stock one rebuilt, places like https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/

Can rebuild your stock unit to have all the fancy things and not look stupid like the retrosound ones.

I would like to do that but I’m not sure my radio is stock. It’s a digital cassette radio but it doesn’t have any brand name on the front of it. I will get a picture later on.

 

[RoryH19]

Super Tuner 3

That's my vote.
Had one in my k20. It was great. I wish Pioneer still made them.

 

[Doppleganger]

Its nuts the big companies dont jump on the retro-train and make something like this. In Japan they still make minidisc players (one of my favorite formats) - these wouldn't even have to have a cassette in it.

Friend of mine is a tech for IBM - adds an aux jack to about everything. Might see if he could do that - or better yet a USB port - to one of these.

 

[Shorty81]

Anyone remember Spark-O-Matics?? We would buy them at Rinks. Not bad for cheap.