Please tell me if these heads are any good

[Jazzyguy]

I am planning to purchase this deck and I am worried about whether the heads are in good shape.

 

[BubbaH]

I am planning to purchase this deck and I am worried about whether the heads are in good shape. View attachment 9186 View attachment 9187 View attachment 9188 View attachment 9189

Hahaha... Really? Have those heads even had tape pass across them? They look to be brand new.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Hahaha... Really? Have those heads even had tape pass across them? They look to be brand new.

Thanks I appreciate your opinion!

 

[Elite-ist]

Are these pictures which were supplied to you by the seller? The pictures are out of focus so it's difficult to give a concise opinion.

Nando.

 

[BubbaH]

Wear would be visible on the small metal piece between the sandwich head. Even slightly out of focus, it would still be easy to spot.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Are these pictures which were supplied to you by the seller? The pictures are out of focus so it's difficult to give a concise opinion.

Nando.

Yes those are what the seller sent. I wonder if these are direct drive motors or do they need belts? Can you find out? I looked on vintage cassettes but they were silent on that.

 

[BubbaH]

Here's a pic of the head on the KX... you can clearly see the wear lines across that center piece of metal.

 

[Jazzyguy]

@BubbaH Do you think it has Direct Drive Motors as the seller is silent about belt replacement. This is a Denon M-700 I know the DR-7 had direct Drive Motors.

 

[Elite-ist]

Denon DRM-700 is a single capstan belt drive model.

Nando.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Denon DRM-700 is a single capstan belt drive model.

Nando.

Thank you! I know the DRM-7 had a direct Drive Motor.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Which would any of you pick? The DR-7 with direct Drive capstan or the DRM-700 with belts and the heads as displayed.

 

[BubbaH]

I personally have never used a Denon deck. Your guess would be as good as mine.

 

[Elite-ist]

I would throw that question out to TH member, Alex (A.N.T.)

Nando.

 

[Jazzyguy]

I would throw that question out to TH member, Alex (A.N.T.)

Nando.

I just sent him a PM

 

[Jazzyguy]

I would throw that question out to TH member, Alex (A.N.T.)

Nando.

Never got an answer! I bought them both. The DRM-700 was $95 +shipping $25 The DR-7 was $150+shipping$25 I think I got a good deal.

 

[Elite-ist]

I doubt Alex could have get back to you that quickly with a response. Regardless, it will be nice to see those Denon cassette decks in your system. Let us know how it goes.

Nando.

 

[Jazzyguy]

I doubt Alex could have get back to you that quickly with a response. Regardless, it will be nice to see those Denon cassette decks in your system. Let us know how it goes.

Nando.

I got a reply from Alex,he is a great guy as we both know.I wish I could send him some decks but he is in the UK and the shipping charges are astronomical.He says that they both require mods.The electronics on the DRM-700 are lousy. Still he feels he would have paid for the heads that much alone! The DR-7 he feels is too much money for an old deck but the seller is in the business and replaced light in the Vu meters and a belt for the counter and an idler tire. So I think it is worth buying. Alex would like one in his collection but would not have paid that much.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Well the first one the Denon DRM-700 arrived and it is just the way BubbaH described it. It doesn't look as if it has been used at all! It included the Manual and that looks like it was never used. The playback is excellent in every way!

 

[Elite-ist]

Sounds like you have another keeper. It's always good to hear when the deck does what it should without costing an arm and a leg.

Nando.

 

[Jazzyguy]

Well the DR-F7 is to be delivered tomorrow and I just made room for it upstairs. I hope it will be OK but the seller has all rave reviews and nothing negative on his sales. It is a direct Drive capstan.I will send you the URL as soon as I look it up. Tell me what you think!