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The Nakamichi 500 Dual-Tracer is a two-head compact cassette deck produced between 1974 and 1978. At its heart is Nakamichi’s Focused-Gap record/playback head, a technological breakthrough that closely approaches the performance of the company’s famous three-head Tri-Tracer decks.
This pre-owned deck is in great condition, recently serviced and recapped, finished in black, and supplied with no manuals or original packaging.
Aimed at audio enthusiasts and vintage gear lovers, the Nakamichi 500 remains of special significance because its newly developed Focused-Gap head delivered a far better saturation level than most contemporary two-head systems, extending frequency response and signal-to-noise performance.
Visit our Lane Cove showroom to experience the analogue charm and engineering integrity of the 500 cassette deck.
Why Choose the Nakamichi 500 Dual-Tracer?
The 500 cassette deck brings 1970s Japanese analogue engineering to collectors and listeners who still value the cassette format.
• Superior Two-Head Performance: Focused-Gap technology narrows the gap with three-head designs.
• Extended Dynamic Range: Higher saturation limits preserve detail on louder passages.
• Flexible Recording Inputs: Mic and line mixing supports both live capture and deck-to-deck copying.
• Stable Transport: DC servo motor keeps tape speed consistent.
• Serviced and Recapped: Recent workshop attention restores reliability for continued use.
Audition the Nakamichi 500 at our Lane Cove showroom to hear why this Dual-Tracer remains a favourite among vintage cassette enthusiasts.
Nakamichi Research built its reputation on the three-head 1000 and 700 Tri-Tracer decks, then applied that same originality to a more accessible two-head design. The 500 deck echoes that reliability with a 4-track, 2-channel stereo transport, Type I and CrO₂ compatibility, and a frequency response reaching 40 Hz–17 kHz on chrome tape.
With 63 dB signal-to-noise using Dolby B, 0.13 % wow and flutter and a clean 1 V line output, the Nakamichi 500 still makes a rewarding addition to a vintage or mixed analogue system.
Peak meters, limiter, memory stop and front-panel microphone jacks complete a practical, well-thought-out recording tool.
Technical Specifications
• Product Type: Pre-owned
• Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck
• Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
• Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s
• Heads: 1 × Focused-Gap record/playback; 1 × erase
• Motor: DC servo
• Tape Type: Type I and CrO₂
• Noise Reduction: Dolby B
• Frequency Response: 40 Hz–17 kHz (CrO₂ tape)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 63 dB (Dolby B)
• Wow and Flutter: 0.13 %
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.5 %
• Input Sensitivity: 70 mV (line); 0.2 mV (microphone)
• Line Output: 1 V
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 381 × 114 × 254 mm
• Weight: 7.0 kg
• Production Years: 1974–1978
• Finish: Black (recently serviced and recapped)
Learn more about the Nakamichi 500 on HiFi Engine here.
Let us show you the remarkable 500 deck at Len Wallis Audio. Explore our second-hand hi-fi & AV collection here or contact our team to audition this cassette deck at our Lane Cove showroom or enquire online.
Len Wallis Audio Excellence Promise
Since 1978, Len Wallis Audio has been a trusted name in hi-fi, curating premium audio solutions from our Lane Cove showroom in Sydney. For over four decades, we’ve selected products that deliver outstanding performance and quality.
Our focus on innovation ensures every item meets audiophile standards. Whether upgrading or building a new system, our team helps you find the ideal audio solution for your needs.
Experience the 500 in person with an audition at our Lane Cove showroom. With expert guidance and a commitment to satisfaction, we make your audio journey seamless and rewarding.
Ready for classic Focused-Gap cassette performance with the Nakamichi 500 Dual-Tracer?
Call (02) 9427 6755
Email [email protected]
Or visit us at 64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, NSW, 2066
Nakamichi’s dual-tracer-era cassette decks have a strong following for good reason: they’re part of the brand’s better-regarded tape era, and this one’s mixer features add some flexibility for recording and playback setups. At A$600, the asking price sits very close to the A$571 median for recent AUD comps, so it reads as fair rather than a steal or an ambitious ask.
That makes the appeal more about the unit itself than the price. If it’s clean, fully working, and includes the microphone and line-mixing bits as shown, it has solid buyer value for someone who wants a characterful Nakamichi with extra functionality. The main thing to verify is basic cassette-deck health—transport stability, playback/recording, heads, belts, and meter function—because age-related service needs matter more than the sticker here.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Nakamichi was founded in 1948 by Etsuro Nakamichi as a research institute in Tokyo, Japan, initially providing R&D services for major corporations and government entities before transitioning to consumer audio manufacturing under its own name beginning in 1972. The brand emerged from deep technical expertise in electromagnetism, magnetic recording, and acoustics, establishing itself as a pioneering force in Japanese audio engineering. Today, Nakamichi operates as a subsidiary of Chinese holding company Nimble Holdings, maintaining its heritage while expanding into contemporary audio categories.
The brand built its legendary reputation on cassette deck innovation, introducing the world's first three-head recording deck and the iconic Dragon series (1982), which featured bi-directional replay and automatic azimuth correction—innovations that remain highly sought after by collectors, with pristine examples commanding thousands of dollars on the secondary market. Beyond vintage cassette decks, Nakamichi's modern product portfolio encompasses home cinema audio systems, sound bars, speakers, headphones, mini hi-fi systems, automotive stereo products, and automotive lighting solutions, reflecting a diversification strategy that extends its audio expertise across multiple consumer segments.
Nakamichi occupies a distinctive position bridging vintage collectibility and contemporary consumer audio. The brand commands respect among audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts for its uncompromising engineering standards and Japanese precision, while simultaneously serving the automotive and mainstream home audio markets. Its legacy as an innovator in analog audio technology, combined with its evolution into modern product categories, positions Nakamichi as a heritage brand with credibility across both specialist and general consumer segments.
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