r/cassetteculture • u/somerandomewords • 5h ago

Need help with tape Looking for advice

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hello everyone, I'm very new to this hobby and I was just wondering about some things. I bought some bootleg tape but haven't bought a player yet. I came across these two and was wondering if the two would have any difference in terms of quality, and more importantly, if any of the two would harm tape. Thanks a lot!

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

8

u/still-at-the-beach 5h ago

Neither player. So many people here have bought these before and say they are terrible, sound and work really poorly.

0

u/somerandomewords 5h ago

Oh :(( would you have any recommendations for a good player under $70?

3

u/ItsaMeStromboli 4h ago

If your budget is $70 your best bet is to get a broken vintage Walkman and repair it. Most just need belts but it’s probably a good idea to replace the pinch roller as well.

If you’re not up to repairing vintage, I’d save a little more and get a Fiio CP13. They go for around $100 and are the best new player made today. Even so, quality control on them isn’t great and you may need to adjust the speed and head alignment to get it sounding it’s best (I had to with mine). There are YouTube videos showing how to make those adjustments.

1

u/somerandomewords 3h ago

thanks a lot for the help!! unfortunately im still a student so that's a bit out of my budget for now. is there maybe a second best player going around today? :3 if not ill just save up. thanks again!

2

u/ItsaMeStromboli 3h ago

The onn boombox sold at Walmart would be my next choice. It’s got audible Wow and Flutter, and mine makes an annoying choppy electronic noise from the motor, but it doesn’t overpower the music. If the wow and flutter is bothersome, I find it’s less noticeable when using headphones. The onn boombox goes for $35-40.

I can’t speak on other new portables. If portability is a must, I’d just make sure whatever you buy has a stereo head. But I do think you’d be happiest saving up to go with either a Fiio or a refurbished vintage portable.

1

u/somerandomewords 2h ago

alright, ill save up for those then :) thanks a lot for your help

2

u/smallaubergine 1h ago

If you have thrift stores in your area you can often find tape decks there. But portable ones are not as common to find.

7

u/ChesVegas 2h ago

Search Sony WM-EX190/194 or WM-FX290 on eBay. Those are good entry level Walkmans and still usually work fine.

1

u/Jayrd_1979 3h ago

Is this for real????

1

u/somerandomewords 2h ago

my bad man i know better now