Nakamichi 700 ZXE: "The Toaster"

The 700 ZXE is part of the family of Nakamichi enhanced original 1000 and 700 original series which debut took place during 1973-1974. The already famous and legendary tale of the first cassette deck ever to take the audio cassette to high quality audio standards were the Nakamichi 1000. Originally, the cassette media were designed for spoken word and the quality was never took in consideration, not seriously at least. During the 70's, Etsuro Nakamichi and his colleagues came out with the revolutionary, but really expensive 1000 model. They eventually decided to bring Nakamichi into a more domestic approach and the more affordable 700 was born.

With the continued evolution of Nakamichi looking to be the leader in the audio cassette game, the original 1000 and 700 evolved into the already fabled decks 1000 ZXL, 700 ZXL and 700 ZXE. All 3 excellent decks with cost no object approaches. Advanced technology for the time and even today the 1000 ZXL specifically, is among the best cassette decks ever made demanding very high price tags on the second hand market, even after 30+ years of its original market's introduction.

The 1000ZXL continued the 1000 tradition and brought with it an imposing mass; some 20Kg of shelf hog, a beautifully finished rosewood cabinet, ABLE: computer controlled 4 frequency point Azimuth, Bias, Level and Equalization setting, and a 20-20Khz +/- 0.25dB performance!. The 3dB performance range was 18-25 kHz at which point filters apparently kick in.

The 1000 ZXL ($3,800) still used Nakamichi classic transport and P8 head sets, though the latter were specially selected out. Thirty years later, the four-bit ‘computing’ system seems elementary and we now know there were newer transports with better technical specs, but nobody can deny the capability and sound of this machine which has been properly called "The Mother of all Cassette Decks". Also, the heads are prone to problems. A common issue on these heads (P-8L and varieties), where one channel (always the right channel) goes open circuit. Unfortunately, it is not possible to repair this problem as it is an internal breakage in the coil wire. Each channel on the P-8L head contains two coils connected in series externally (that is what the wire links on the head are for). And it is always the same half in the right channel goes open circuit. It is possible to connect only the working half by changing the wire connection points, however on top of the lower voltage and thus somewhat higher noise, it is also increases the hum pickup considerably, that is why the result is not very good (Alex Nikitin). In 1981 the 1000ZXL LTD ($6,000), gold plated version of the stock 1000ZXL and made to order only, appeared in the scenario. The P-8L heads were specially selected from 1000ZXL stocks, and identified by their gold appearance. The capstan flywheels were brass, and the componentry, was specially selected, but sonically speaking there were so little to chose between the two. The gold plating was very soft and thin and these decks do not wear well and to my taste looks very tacky. The absolute production figure is unknown, but best estimates place the number produced at 112. Only one made it to Puerto Rico and I sold it a month later because my wife said it was too flashy, ugly and "old looking". Ha! Go figure...

The 700ZXL and 700 ZXE joined the continued 700's tradition. The 700 ZXL ($3,000) was a simpler version of the 1000 ZXL, but with a fancier look. The ZXE ($2,400) version used the same clothes but with a more simple 3 frequency points calibration system and a slighter reduction in overall frequency response (18 to 23k). Curiously, none of the ZXL's ever had Dolby C on board, probably because of the low sales volume meaning retooling was not practical. Dolby C functionality was added via the NR-100 external unit, though. I believe that these series were designed by Niro Nakamichi. Stephen Sank, a Nakamichi tech extraordinaire of the 90's, used to say that the 700 ZXE somewhat sounded better than the ZXL due to less circuits and a more simple approach. For my taste, both sounds identical.

These machines were a very high priced recorders with outstanding performance and a very close experience to what a 1000 ZXL is. When comparing my former 1000 ZXL and 700 ZXL during a shootout back in 2002, I found that both sounded almost identical. Of course this is subjective and I have to confess that a properly serviced and aligned 1000 ZXL is difficult to beat, but...does it worth it? Not for me and not even today where a 1000 ZXL commands ridiculous high prices. From the collector's point of view, perhaps, and I have been down that same road many times before, but from the audio performance sense,mmmm, I don't think so. Differences at these levels are subtle and remember that Nakamichi developed this model to be more affordable and to match most of the 1000 ZXL characteristics for $800.00 less and with a more "friendly" and domestic look.

The 700 ZXE sound is exquisite as with any other of these behemoths. The classic sound of Nakamichi, when they were solidifying themselves as the #1 cassette deck developer in the world, is highly obtainable while using this machine. It's immediately impressive because of its size and weight and if you take into consideration the years it was produced, the looks are way ahead of its time! Affectionately, we call it "The Toaster" because it reminds you of that, but that's where the comparison stops. The sound emanating from this deck is really impressive. With a frequency response of 18 hz to 23 khz, still amaze many folks today that has been related to Kraco car cassette stereos only. I know and understand that a price tag of $2,400 during 1982 for a cassette deck was completely obscene and out of reach for many folks, but still: how many cassette decks of the same era could nearly match the 700 ZXE attributes? Not many, if any...

Here're some figures:

Description:

The Nakamichi 700ZXE is an auto-tuning, compact-cassette recorder with Dolby noise reduction system.

Specifications:

Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo

Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s

Heads: 1 x record, 1 x playback, 1 x erase

Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal

Noise Reduction: B

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz (Metal tape)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 66dB (dolby B)

Wow and Flutter: 0.04%

Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.8%

Input: 50mV (line), 0.2mV (mic)

Output: 1V (line)

Dimensions: 500 x 262 x 250mm

Weight: 14kg

Year: 1981

Price: USD $2400 (1981)

As you can judge per the numbers, this is not what you can call a "regular" or "normal" cassette deck.

My first experience with Nakamichi was with a simple 480. By 1980, I used to have a Technics RS-M63 deck. A 3 head machine with a decent sound for the money. I believe the price was $450.00 or so. My brother in law bought a 480 in Florida and brought it with him to PR. For me Nakamichi was just a dream and a overhyped brand with an overpriced tag available to cork sniffers only. So, I accepted the challenge and brought my M 63 to the arena against the all black with analog VU's machine. The fluorescent meters of mine bouncing from left to right looks superior to the slower needles of the 480, yeah right...until the play button was pressed. The rest is history. From that day on I clearly understood what was all the fuss about the legendary Nakamichi name. That simple 480 took my silver looking M 63 and swept the floor with it in all aspects! It was so superior that I didn't use mine back again for a while...

Well, today and 32 years later, I still have (2) Dragons, (2) 700 ZXE, CR-7, ZX-7, RX 505 and a Revox B-215S from almost 40 decks I used to have. All the TOL models, including the 1000 ZXL, 1000 ZXL Limited, 700 ZXL, ZX-9, all 3 Teac "Z" Series decks, Tandberg 3014A, you named it! I also keep 2 Crown open reel decks and a Revox B-77 in my actual herd. Lack of space and high maintenance cost made me reduced the collection because I don't believe in museum pieces. I believe in practical collections with all those pieces in fully operational condition and under constant use around the house. Because of that, I have been reducing my estate and only keeping those that I like the most.

Be aware that while the sound of this ZXL series is unique, the repair and maintenance cost is high and not many techs wish to service it. My 2 techs extraordinaire, Willy Hermann and Perry Esposito, are reluctant to service these models because all 3 are complex machines, prone to problems, costly to repair, extremely delicate for shipping and some parts are simply no longer available. Even though the sound experience you get from the "Toaster" worth the risk, as long as you can afford it.

Yes, the 700 ZXE had a very high price. For that, this deck offered performance which was unsurpassed overall!