Nakamichi CR-5 cassette deck

 

Nakamichi - the measure of excellence.

Once again, Nakamichi is at the vanguard of a new trend in high-class cassette decks, providing the highest possible performance quality from every cassette while at the same time simplifying deck operation to make that performance available to everyone. The new Nakamichi CR5 Discrete-head Cassette Decks embody both the vital aspects of this trend, offering fully discrete three-head designs, direct-drive closed-loop dual-capstan transports, low-distortion/low-noise amplifiers and a host of other features.

 

Direct-Drive Dual-Capstan Transport

Nakamichi's Asymmetrical Diffused-Resonance Dual-Capstan Transport, with left and right capstans (and flywheels) of different diameters, greatly reduces flutter. There is nothing touching the tape between the two capstans to risk the introduction of scrape flutter and modulation noise, that is, there is no intracapstan tape guide, and a special tape pad lifter prevents the cassette's own pad from causing skewing and azimuth error. Both capstans have a slip-free matte finish to aid in maintaining ideal tape tension; it is driven directly by an extremely high precision motor controlled by an FG (frequency-generator) servo. The practical results of all this translate to smooth, constant tape speed, with wow-and-flutter of 0,027% (WTD RMS) or less. Head-base and brake movement is commanded by the solenoid-free Nakamichi Silent Mechanism for ease of use and quiet , quick response.

 

Discrete Three Head Design

Nakamichi's original system with three fully independent heads offers a wide gap on the Crystalloy REC head for clean signal transfer and a narrow gap on the Crystalloy PLAY head for best high-frequency resolution.

 

Low-Distortion Amplifier Circuitry

Directly coupling the recording and playback head with their respective amplifier sections has eliminated coupling capacitors and their ill effects and helped achieve a level of performance that is on a par with the finest home-use preamplifiers. In the same spirit, Nakamichi engineers used discrete circuity with high-quality parts, and even went as far as to completely shield the power supply and FL display sections from the audio circuits. Thanks to these measures, the Signal-to-Noise Ratio remains very high, and the Total Harmonic Distortion is never more than 0,005%.

 

Specifications

Heads:  Three; 1 x Erase; 1 x Record and 1 x Playback

Motors

Transport:  GS servo , brushless, slotless, coreless DD motor for capstan drive; DC motor for reel drive

Mechanism :  DC motor for cam operation

Tpe Speed:  4,8 cm/sec (1-7/8 ips ) ±0,5%

Wow and Flutter:

WTD Peak :  less than ±0,048%

WTD RMS :  less than 0,027%

Frequency Response:  20 Hz - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio : 

Dolby C NR :  better than 72 dB

Dolby B NR :  better than 66 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion:  less than 0,8% (ZX tape); 1,0% (SX, EX II tape)

Input Line :  50 mv/40 k Ω

Output

Line :  1,0 V (400 Hz, 0 dB, output control max. ? 2,2 k Ω

Headphone :  12 mW (400 Hz, 0 dB, output control max) 8 Ω 

Power Requirements:  100,120, 120/220-240, 220 or 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  45 W max

Dimensions (W x H x D):  435 x 135 x 306 mm (17-1/8" x 5-5/16" x 12")

Weight:  8,5 kg (18 lb 12 oz)