(My particular deck pre-dates the idler gear and I'm fairly sure incorporates the improved biasing circuitry.)

I picked up my CR-7 in almost DOA shape from eBay with the hope I could fix it (I am an electronics hobbyist) and that with its particular odd issue the heads might have low hours on them. It paid off in spades. I am reviewing this deck for one reason - I want to let it be known what this model of deck CAN do when at its best, unhindered by lesser tapes, unhindered by poor sources.

Feature wise I had reserves about picking up this deck due to auto calibration. This, to my surprise, is something this deck nails. Not only do I get top notch strong, clean, and even response from this deck, I also get consistency from calibration to calibration, tape to tape. The deck has never failed to calibrate and calibrate well unless there's user error (eg, manually setting the tape type wrong, performing calibration on top of the clear leader, etc.) or a horrendous tape (eg, previously mangled by another deck).

After initially receiving the desk and performing repair, calibrating the azimuth mechanism, and doing head alignment I popped in a Sony mid-1980s UCS-X chrome and started doing measurements. Measurements were done using my PC with the deck at 0 db levels (where cassette decks have major roll off issues). Without Dolby this deck was an impressive -2 db @ 20 KHz. With Dolby C engaged, this deck measured up an astounding +/- 0.5 db to 25 KHz (still at @ 0 db levels). While I believe this is atypical for even this deck, it does show what this deck can do with stock parts. Happy with the measurements I narrowed down what tapes this deck sonically shines with and I use only these tapes.

Sound quality wise this deck is so good at recording the source that I only seem to lose noticeable highs when I use a top-end vinyl rig source (eg 30+ KHz capable). Even then, if you've never heard top-end vinyl you'd think the cassette's HF was infinite. CD is a joke for this deck. Some reviewers disagree, however it has become obvious that if the deck is in proper working order and you don't handicap the deck with your tape choice it is just not possible for CD to keep up. CD hits a wall at 22k no matter how good the player, this Nak clearly does not. W&F might be technically better on CD, but the W&F on the Nak is so good you can't hear the difference (eg, top end xylophone is perfect, harpsichord is perfect, instrumentation is completely distinct without interplay, etc). Noise floor with Dolby C is worse than CD, but even the worst offending tapes have their noise burried down to almost inaudible at normal listening levels. Obviously noise floor without Dolby is pretty poor on some cassettes.

Dolby tracking is dead on. Normally I can't stand it. On this deck, and only with the best of the best tapes, Dolby does what it was designed to do - remove noise without degrading the sound. On just a good tape, I can hear Dolby's loss of detail that comes from trying to cram full bandwidth audio into a narrow band of the tape's range. So for me, most of my tapes are sans Dolby, with my most cherished content on my best tapes and with Dolby C engaged.

Heads - these are amazing on this deck. While I don't recommend it, with the right tape and Dolby C this deck can run transients that tap +10 db and make a tape with little to no obvious clipping. Conversely, many tapes struggle in the +3 to +6 db range. I mention this to reiterate that I am reviewing the deck, not tapes.

In the end, cassette clearly has its limits. However, Nak has pushed this format as far as it can go with this deck. The end result is so much info crammed onto a cassette that you almost have to have a Nak to get it all back off and sonics that are hardly anything but high-end.

Incredible sound that is faithful to the source and trumps every cassette deck out there (with the exception of the Nakamichi Dragon and 1000ZXL, 1000ZXL Limited), and CD players as well. Build quality (weighs over 21lbs.) that will last a lifetime, ease of use, and pride of ownership.

The only weakness I think of, if you could call it that, is the need to change ou the drive belts every once in a while. But that's true of every cassete deck out there.
The gear drive upgrade that Nakamichi offered is not to my liking because while it outlasts the belt, it is very noisy in REW and FF modes. I love the quietness of the belts, and that's the way Nakamichi originally designed the CR-7A to perform, quietly.

The Nakamichi CR-7A is a marvel of audio engineering with superior sonic qualities. This cassette deck is very simple to use with its auto-azimuth fine tuning, auto-calibration of any tape formulation, easy to read, accurate flourescent meters, real-time tape counter, and excelent build quality. The sound you get from this machine is superior to the CD format, yes I said it, superior to CD in terms of depth of soundstage, inner detail, overall smoothness, ambience, and the ability to bring out every nuance of music on a recording. Add to that the wireless remote, which allows you to control the azimuth of the tape head from your armchair, and easy tape setup. Just insert a tape, press "auto cal," and after a few seconds, the ready light will tell you it's time to enjoy some good music. Some people say that the CR-7A sounds superior to the Dragon, and others say the opposite, but I think each deck has its own distinctive sound. I have owned the Dragon also, and I can tell you that the Dragon excels in the top-end of the frequency spectrum with its 20-22 kHZ response, whereas the CR-7A (20-21kHZ) excels more in a fuller, rounder bottom-end. Also, as I read in one article and experienced first-hand for myself, the Dragon's high-end frequency response sounds a bit softer and more delicate than the CR-7A's. Personally, I think it really comes down to which sound your ear prefers. I think there is a saying that goes, "doctors prefer CR-7A's, and lawyers prefer the Dragons." Whichever you choose, you obviously cannot go wrong because both machines will not dissapoint, and will leave a big smile on your face every time you turn them on. The bottom line here folks is, neither one stands head and shoulders above the other, instead, both decks are superb pieces of equipment with their own distinct merits that will not only give you pride of ownership, but tremendous musical enjoyment for many years to come. Enough said.

Customer Service

Not very good when Nakamichi was around, and I think that was unfortunately to their detriment.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi Dragon, Nakamichi RX-505, RX-202, Harman Kardon CD401, CD491.

Flawless playback, better than CD in my anaolog opinion.

Quirky fluorescent display.

Well, my foray into the world of REAL tape decks has ended with my purchase of the Nakamichi CR-7A. I have bought the last tape deck I'll ever need!! I just got this CR-7A on eBay, super MINT(no blemishes, he claimed less than 50 hours use, I have no reason not to believe it) from the original owner with two complaints, broken rca connector when I set it up, but that's due to age. The second is a flickering fluorescent display, that the original owner noticed as well. Okay, now that those have been discussed, let's talk about the recording and playback! By far one of the easiest decks I've ever used!! The Playback Azimuth adjustment is to die for! Now all my old pre-recordeds and those off my old Sony TC-K615S 3 head are all usable in the same deck! The TC-K615S was a good TAPEDECK, this CR-7A defies all logic that there's a cassette in there! So rock solid with wow and flutter less than ants can hear, let alone a human. I have put 25 hours plus on it this last week, and I can't get enough. I am usually put off by Auto anything(daytime running lights, seat belts, etc.). I recorded using Auto calibration of azimuth, level, and bias. One button. It's idiot proof. Worth every penny, and I paid for it, no regrets. Now to get more MA-XG and Metal Master blanks! As far as I'm concerned the CR-7A is 2nd only to the Dragon of Nakamichi "modern" decks, and top 10 - 15 of all time.

Similar Products Used:

TC-K615S

Clean digital quality sound even on cheap cassettes. 'Idiot proof' of which I'm a charter member of the club.

Price, at least for everyone else.

Hey guys! Just picked this up at a thrift store for $7.00 and it works great, looks great. I've got a DR-2 but the CR7A kicks its butt. I'm transfering all my rare vinyl over to cassette right now as it is a whole lot easier to store than reel to reels. I just obsoleted my Akai GX-747. If you are contemplating spending the ducats on one of these decks, it is everything the previous reviewers said and more. I'm so stoked. Check Ebay for a used Akai GX-747 and a Nak DR-2.

Similar Products Used:

Nak DR-2, Nak 581

Outstanding performance, ease of use, best meters ever on a consumer recording device, adjustable playback head for compatibility with cassettes recorded on other machines.

Only the limitations of the cassette format

The Nakamichi CR-7A was the last of the "ultimate" cassette decks produced by Nakamichi. The only one with an automatic tape calibration system, it also features a manually adjustable playback head which allowes the best possible
performance from cassettes recorded on other machines and pre-recorded tapes. This fully discrete, 3 head tape machine of course features Nakamichi's diffused resonance transport which in my opinion set the standard for cassette performance. Years ago I got to check out top of the line 3 head cassette decks from Tandberg, Revox and Pioneer, non of them could match the performance of any 3 head Nakamichi, Nuff said!

I bought this machine back in 1989 after comparing it to a Nakamichi Dragon in the store. The CR-7A just seemed to make a better tape to my ears, had better meters and more features, and cost about $ 700.00 less!

The performance of this machine is simply as good as the cassette can get, especially using metal type IV tape. Like any Nakamichi cassette deck, this machine can record better sounding type I or II cassettes from LPs or CDs than the pre-recorded tapes you can buy!

The autocalibration feature makes recording great sounding cassettes a breeze. The flourescent display and meters are quite simply the best I have seen on a consumer recording device, be it cassette, reel to reel tape, DAT or recordable CD! Not only do they have tremendous resolution and range, they are completely readable under any lighting conditions, from total darkness to bright daylight. And I love that peak hold! The manually adjustable playback head is extremely effective in getting the best sound from pre-recorded cassettes and tapes recorded on other machines. It can also be adjusted using the wireless remote, an even nicer touch.

My only complaint has to do with the fundamental limitations of the cassette format. As good as this and other 3 head Nakamichis are, they simply can't capture the full fidelity of my record and CD players. I use my CR-7A to make copies of my rarer, "not yet released on CD" vinyl to save wear and tear on the LPs, as well as tapes for portable use. I wish I could say that the cassettes I make are "indistinguishable from the original LP and CD", but that would be a lie! The CR-7A makes tapes that capture most of the awesome performance of my discs and sound great for cassettes, but the original LP and CD always sounds noticeably better and is what I play when I'm in a "nothing but the best" mood.

If you are looking for the ultimate in cassette performance, the CR-7A along with the Nakamichi Dragon, series 1000 and other assorted high end Naks is where it's at. I currently also own a CR-4A and an LX-5, they are terrific cassette decks, but they are simply not as good as the mighty CR-7A! A classic machine for sure.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi LX-5, LX-3, 480, Dragon, CR1A, CR4A

Great sounding and lsick looking deck with the marvellous manual playback head azimuth and extremely fast auto tape calibration. makes wonderful tapes; nearest to original as possible.

any nakamichi with the silent mechanism II will have to have a transport modification performed sooner or later. in the netherlands, this costs $100. the idler wheel will start to slip one day as the thin rubber strip will dry out. rubber revitaliser will only help for a short period of time; the modification is necessary to get your transport last a life time.
because of the transport problem i cannot rate 5 stars. see my 4 stars as 4,5 as 4 is too little...:-)

I have 12 nakamichis at the moment; and this one is my all time nr. 5. Top on my list is the 1000ZXL; then come the 700ZXL, the ZX-9 and the 700ZXE; but the CR-7 (being a late eighties deck when Nakamicihi was obliged to have parts made by third party manufacturer because of the commercial pressure) comes mighty close to the old flagships. Great way of preserving them priceless vinyl copies 'cos the sound is as close to the original as you can get. Get one up to $700; otherwise go for a zx-9 or a 700zxl. If you can spend the big bucks; get a 1000ZXL as there ain;t any better recording device on the market. email for loads of Nakamichi information.

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi 1000ZXL, 700ZXE, ZX-7, ZX-9

I have to say that I don't use my tape decks much anymore (I have both the CR-7A and the CR-5A), but for many years I got a lot of enjoyment out of them. If you are into taping music and sharing tapes with friends, this is as good a deck as you can get. It makes copies that are as close to the original as is possible in a tape deck. It's loaded with great features (3 discreet heads/4 motors,automatic bias, playback azimuth adjustment, etc.) and the build quality is fabulous. (I bought mine in 1988 and have never had a problem with it.)

These days, I don't record much anymore and I don't listen to the old tapes much either, but every now and then I do and it's still really impressive.

The rest of my system:

Linn Sondek LP12 turntable
EAD T-1000 CD transport
EAD DSP-7000 Series III DAC
McIntosh C15 pre-amp
McIntosh MC202 amp
B&W Nautilus 802 speakers
Straightwire interconnects and speaker wire

You cannot get a better Quality from a cassette than this Nak. And it lasts.

Idler Modification needed.

I brought this deck around 1993 (replacing another great Nak BX-125) and I love it ever since. It wasn't cheap, but recordings are a snap. Press the Calibrate-button and start recording. Dynamic is outstanding. Use is simple. And the greatest thing of all: You can correct the Azimuth from your chair for Alien recordings. I still use the deck to master old broadcast recordings to CD.
I was able to test the Nak in direct competition with other High-End cassettedecks; the Revox 215 and a brand new Sony Cr6ES.(In the US known as Cr3ES). And the sound was smoother, more dynamic and less wobbly. Filigrain.
As it was checked for a service, it turned out to work better on a TDK-D cassette, than other decks on TDK-SA or MX. Even with cheap tapes up to 22kHz! And no distortion.

Similar Products Used:

Nak:550,480,670,202,BX-1,BX-125,CR4,600,recorder 1
Sony 6SE,Revox 215, Tandbergs, Teacs.

All you could ever need in a home cassette deck. A class leader.

Availability, no longer produced

Cassette technology peaked in the late 1980's, therefore the best decks were made in this era. The CR-7 was produced from 1986-1993, one of Naks longest run decks, if not the longest.

The CR-7 is simply a great deck full of the best features, function and performance. Like any componant it will be argued which is best. There are a number of great decks, with some slightly excelling in some areas better than others. The CR-7 easily falls into the class of one of the great decks.

If you are considering buying one of these decks, I am sure you will be happy with it's performance and will own a top deck. Remember though, that all cassette decks benefit from periodic maintainence to be aligned, etc... Go with a reputable shop, such as www.eslabs.com.

Nak had farmed out the transport on this deck, if it had the "classic Nak" transport it may have easily been the best. There are some audio reviews from it's era that tested this deck also and sang it's praises, stating you couldn't do any better. Again, claiming one deck as the all out best is a controversy, but this is an awesome deck sure to bring you pleasure.

Current System:
Mark Levinson 383 Int. amp
Meridian 508.24 CD
Nak. CR-7A Cassette
Fanfare FT-1A Tuner
TDL Studio Monitor "M" Speakers
Cables: JPS, MIT, Cardas

Similar Products Used:

Nak. 680 and ZX-9, Akai GX-9

CR 7A REVIEW.
HELLO MUSIC LOVERS.

OWNING AND USING A CR-7 IS A COMPLETE JOY.

THE AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION IS PAINFULLY EASY TO USE AND FAST AS WELL.

IN LESS THAN 30 SEC. THE CR-7 FAST FORWARDS THE TAPE, SETS BIAS, CAL AND LEVELS

DURING AUTO CALIBRATION. THEN REWINDS THE TAPE TO THE STARTING POINT PAUSES THE

TAPE IN RECORD MODE AND GETS YOU A BEER FROM THE ICE BOX, (HA HA).

THE TAPE COUNTER CAN DISPLAY ELAPSED TIME, REMANING TIME AND A 4 DIGIT TAPE

COUNTER.

THE METERS ARE EASY TO READ AND WITH THE PEAK HOLD IT MAKES SETTING THE

RECORD LEVELS A SNAP.

THE AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENT IS A NICE FEATURE DURING PLAYBACK, IT CAN TWEEK THE

PLAYBACK HEAD TO MATCH THE RECORDED TRACKS ON TAPES THAT ARE RECORDED ON

ANOTHER DECK FOR THE BEST PLAY BACK POSSIBLE.

THE TAPE TYPES ARE SET AUTOMATICLLY SET WHEN A TAPE IS INSTALLED, EX, SX & ZX.

THE SOUND IS VERY GOOD WITH ONLY A SLITE COLLAPSE OF THE STEREO IMAGE AND THE

TAPE NOISE IS VERY! VERY! LOW IN DOLBY-C WITH TYPE ZX TAPE SELECTED.

INFACT I WILL ADMIT THAT THE CR-7 WILL SOUND BETTER THAN ANY REEL TO REEL.

IF ANY ONE THAT HAS A VAST VINYL COLLECTION AND AND WANTS TO HELP PRESERVE

THE LIFE OF THAT COLLECTION AND NOT SACRIFICE AUDIO QUALITY THEN RECORD YOUR

LPs ON A CR-7