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I Hate to let this one go but I own to many decks. This deck is a beauty it looks brand new to be 44 years old 1982. All work done by a certified Nakamichi technician with all of the proper test equipment.replaced the belts and idler tire, lubricated the capstan/motor/gear/pinch roller armshafts,adjusted the motor speed, W&F0.045% to 0.055% -cleaned the heads andpinch rollers -checked the tape travellingpath, back tension, take up tension andmechanism's offsetadjusted the headsheight/azimuth -replaced the reel sensorlight bulb -replaced the orange PP capsusing Wima capsreplaced the electrolytic capacitors usingNichicon KW and Elna Silmic II audio capsin the audio circuitsNichicon FG/FW/KWaudio caps in the power supply circuits -increased the value of the +12V powersupply filter caps from 13600uF to 15000uFand from 4700uF to 6800uF and -12V from1000uF to 2200uF-increased the value ofthe 4 playback amplifier filter caps from47uF to 220uFincreased the +/-12V power supply filtercaps on the main board from 1000uF to2200uF-cleaned the switches andpotentiometers using deoxit D5-replaced one bad transistor in the bias oscillatorcircuit -reinforced the left side mounts of the mechanism for safe travelcalibrated the electronics for correct levels-S/N: 58dB type I, 61dB type II/IV Dolby off66dB type I, 69dB type II/IV Dolby B70dB type I, 73dB type II/IV Dolby C-Distortion (400hz, 0dB): 0.80% type I, 0.70% type II, 0.70% type IV-Frequency response (-20dB, +/-2dB): 20hz to 22Khz all type of tapes-Frequency response (0dB, +/-3dB, Dolby off): 20hz to 15Khz type I, 20hz to 13Khz type II,20hz to 16.5Khz type IV
At US$3,159, this sits below the 25th percentile of recent comparable asking prices, so it reads as a strong deal rather than merely fair. Against a comparable spread of US$3,331 to US$3,675 with a US$3,503 median, the ask leaves real room for value without needing heroic assumptions.
That makes it worth a close look if the piece is complete and functioning, because Nakamichi gear is prized for its build quality and performance, and clean examples tend to hold enthusiast demand well. The upside here is paying entry-to-below-market money for a well-regarded used piece; I’d mainly verify condition, original accessories, and any service history, since on older audio gear those details matter more than the badge alone.
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.
See all Nakamichi listings on RADAR.
