If you know how a vintage cassette deck works generally, you will know the cassette heads inside the machine are essential. In fact, the number of cassette heads of cassette plays/recorders is different. Some cassette decks have 2 heads while some have 3 heads. Do you know what the extra head can do? Here you will find the explanation. And we will round up some of the best classic 3-head cassette decks as well. Guess what? some of them are still available in 2021!
What’s 3-Head Cassette Decks
Unlike 2 head cassette deck that comes with a erase head and a single head for recording and playing both, cassette decks with 3 heads have a erase head, an individual head for recording, and a single head for playback function.
How to tell a cassette deck is a 3-head model is not hard at all, usually, it is written on the front panel. To identify a 3-head cassette deck, the easiest way is to check if the head at the center is a regular 1 head or two heads combined together. The picture below shows the difference.
But what needs to be mentioned is that 3-head cassette decks do not always have the same erase head and capstans. (For example, some models have a single capstan with bigger black erase head on the left, some have two capstans and a smaller erase head, and there are also some cassette decks that put the erase head between the recording head and playback head).
Advantage of 3-Head Cassette Decks
When it comes to 3-head cassette decks vs 2-head cassette decks, the separate record head, and playback head allow you to listen to and monitor the audio that is being recorded in real-time.
Users are able to compare the recording to the original signal. That said, 3-head cassette decks provide a more flexible recording/playing function, which allows users to listen to the audio without waiting till the end of the recording process. And users can adjust and optimize the recording content quickly when they hear changes such as volume and tape bias.
Best Vintage 3-Head Cassette Decks that You Can Explore
JVC KD-V6 Discrete 3-Head Cassette Deck
Back in the day, the JVC KD-V6 is a pretty nice stereo cassette deck to start with. It comes with 3 discrete heads, 4-track, 2-channel, and two-motor full-logic mechanism, so it is a worth-trying choice when people choose a 3-head cassette recorder.
When it comes to audio quality, this vintage 3-head cassette deck is decent and solid with the Dolby B and C noise reduction and its SA recording head. It works well with Maxel UD, TDK SA, and JVC ME, and etc. On its front panel, the JVC KD-V6 3-head cassette deck has pretty cool digital peak meters and simple level and speed controls.
The original price of this unit was $350. And it would be an affordable and worth-trying model to go for if you found that on the market of today.
Sony TC-K222ESJ 3 Heads Cassette Deck
When talking about cassette decks, how can we forget the audio industry giant Sony? Sony TC-K222ESJ is a 3 head cassette deck that was introduced in 1993, and it was positioned as a high-end option for anyone looking for a classic old-school cassette deck with premium features and quality.
The Sony TC-K222ESJ is equipped with Dolby B/C/S and HX-Pro noise reduction, giving the best sound effects. And the Quartz-controlled transport and manual bias calibration allow users to have a satisfying experience when playing the cassette tapes. And the product utilizes the generic digital peak reading meters for easy adjustment.
Pioneer CT-F1000 3 Head Stereo Cassette Tape Deck
We don’t know if this CT-F1000 is the best 3-head cassette tape deck, but it is definitely a classic one with 3 heads, off-tape monitoring, excellent sound quality, and performance.
The Pioneer CT-F1000 three-head cassette deck looks solid on the outside. It is covered with 100% metal including the knobs and switches. Apart from that, the Pioneer CT-F1000 carries analog level meters, which makes it compact and neat.
Although it’s a real retro cassette tape deck that was from the 70S, its fabulous audio quality can still amaze us with the Dolby B noise reduction, electronic design, and Full-logic transport controls.
It’s a pretty high-end 3-head cassette deck and it was very pricey. Luckily, the Pioneer CT-F1000 was a very popular model in the states, and you can still find many second-handed units on the market in 2021.
Akai GX-7 3-Head Cassette Tape Deck
Akai GX-7 is another great unit that can give you perfect audio/sound quality that has almost no difference from the source. The Akai GX-7 features generic digital peak reading meters, full logic transport control, and memory stop functions, making the product a hot one in the past.
And the Akai GX-7’s 3 heads’ built-quality is solid, basically, it will ll never wear out. The 3-head cassette deck also comes with Dolby B/C noise reduction and the switchable MPX filter built-in filters out the pilot signal.
We also love the design of the front display where you can see cassette backlighting and its beautiful meters. Overall, the performance of the Akai GX-7 cassette deck will not let you down and its price is reasonable as well.
You can’t put the erase head between the record and play heads. You’d erase the tape immediately after recording!