What an awesome job. As the Gold standard in cassette decks, the Dragon is like no other. I would recommend Paul over the “other” guys any day of the week! Paul revived this 40 year old Dragon to like new again! Bravo
Great work on the machine Paul! Patience is number one, you must have spent tens of hours on this, unless you're very familiar and have some of the components already at hand. Some really good images here too, top video! I fully understand the 'buzz' we all get when we reach that moment - 'it's done'! ;o)
Nice myself I have a few nakamich tape decks in my collection and the Dragon has always been my favorite even though I dont have one in my Shop I have serviced a few .
Very good deck, however the Revox B215 is mechanically much more strong then the Dragon, it's built like a tank. I prefer the Revox, but both are great machine's. Congratulations for your fine work of restoration.
Do you think that today if Nakamichi we're still making decks they would be able to simplify everything? It seems to me that there's a lot in that deck to go wrong. .
I have my Dragon making a clicking sound, but not when running reverse. Any idea what could be the problem? Otherwise it works fine. Thanks for an interesting video!
That is the auto azimuth motor assembly. It is either stuck or the azimuth is off alignment. Could be many things. Is your serial number on the back silver plate 4 or 5 digits?
@@Algabatzan early version. In this Dragon I did end up removing the azimuth motor assembly and doing a full cleaning, greasing and re-alignment. I did not add that part in this video.
@@VintageAudioTech Thanks for the info. I'll begin with disconnecting the motor cables and try to set it by hand and see if that helps. Do you know if there are test tapes available somewhere?
@@AlgabatzThe original full track test tapes are difficult to find. You may try eBay or FromJapan.JP which is a Japan Proxy site so you may purchase on their market
i bought one when released allthough my father was the nakamichi freak but i remenber feeling that i had made a great purchase and it worked for 6 monthes witrh perfection but those years or early 80´s were the more i used cassettes and for sure i gave a heavy use to my Dragon , after those 6 monthes i notice some changes in it´s functioning and the auto-reverse never used it, but when summer arrived i notice some litle interferencies in the sound of cassettes i only remenbered a similar problem on a Sony cassette deck from a friend of mine so i stoped it put to use the Pioneer i had, the 3 year old CT-F1250 and bye bye litle Dragon non fire spitter, and a while after i went for the TEAC Z-9000 that it was the best at the time and the Dragon when in 94 i thought ,"well ,they improved it ,lets try again and two dragons i had stoped, working at 95%. In 2019 ,i made 10.000€ selling both and i didn´t demand 5.000€ each just a specialist ofered me it and said"i can´t give you more" i trying to hide my hapiness said it´s ok take them, the worst i ever had and when buying the first one i also bought a BX-2 as a second deck, let´s say that the Pioneer CT-F1250, the TEAC Z-9000 and the BX-2 still work perfect today with maintenance and also from my father i received all top end models nakamichi decks starting in the 74 1000 and the last released that i kept the DR-1 and i made a lot of money selling them ,only kept to myself a 700ZXL and a DR-1, i even bought a maseratti looking like a 70´s sport car with a powerfull V8 engine from 2017 only with the money of the top decks from nakamichi, so they are good to sell not to play cassettes for that there are dozens of better decks , even a 76 Pioneer CT-F1000 is working perfect and since 76 my second deck after a CT-F2121 also from Pioneer , sounds and records amazing good but my favorite format since the 70´s is the open reel deck for it´s sound quality and several recording options, but from nakamichi there is a component that i am surprised by it´s quality and still to be needing repair which is strange in the nakamichi world that is the Stasis power amplifier released in the 80´s if not the original one ,the MKII is far from the real Stasis
Hi ,there is a Nakamichi Dragon for sale in the UK for about £2000 it looks like it’s been in the loft for 20 years a bit dusty ,I was tempted to bye but after watching many videos including yours I’m obviously very weary of buying an old Dragon 🐉 I live in the UK. I used to run Nakamichi TD 1200 in my car many years ago and boy it was outstanding but it kept breaking down had to go to London every six months to get it fixed ,in the end they couldn’t repair it I don’t think they were that qualified might be different today ,the 1200 had self azimuth adjustment and I’ve always wanted to own a dragon for home 🏡 thanks for your videos 👍
Thanks for the vid. Just picked up a serviced late model serial number (21k+) that I've incorporated into our home audio system. Beautiful machine and very impressed with the sound. Not quite as good as hi-resolution audio playback from my other sources but for it's time it just cannot be beat as an all around performer. One question.... Operation of our Dragon has been exceptional. However, on one brand new prerecorded studio cassette tape (Tiger lily by Natalie Merchant) the auto reverse from side A to side B started to fade and then stop while playing the beginning of side B. Tried it a few times with the same result. Side B played fine when flipped and played from the beginning. Weird. We only have one other tape (Rocky) which when played from side A to B using auto reverse had no issue. Any ideas on what would cause the tape to start fading then stop playing after auto reverse? Again, thanks for the detailed vid.
It sounds like there is something wrong with the tape path. More than likely from the pinch rollers. I would have to take a look to identify the problem
Thanks for your nice video of the Nak Deagon.The 4 digits sr nos have the problem of Az correction issues.I have Nak ZX7 and one issue has cropped up ,the deck when put to on the stop button blinking does not stop and there fore the deck is under inoperational mode. No playback etc happens The other issue is of the 15k switch light also glows continuously but tgat was not effecting the playback,azimuth correction etc.Could you help in thus matter as it is a problem of different kind.
I can certainly take a look at the deck right now I’m about two months booked. You’re welcome to send it to me and I can evaluate the issues and let you know what it would be to repair it.
I have never seen any Nak tech explain how the auto azimuth works. Does it sample the tape for highest output at the upper frequency levels, most manuals do not recommend that for adjustment ? Ok who wants to buy a Dragon for ten grand that needs to be serviced every two to five years for a thousand bucks or more ?
Hello. I have some problem with my Dragon. Just started a few days ago. As soon I switch on deck, it start playing automatically. Stop button working if I am holding it, when I released start playing again. Another buttons not working at all. Before everything was working well. I need your advice, please. What happened, can I fix it by myself? Thank you.
Could be a few things, but possibly the mode cam gear is not aligned properly. I would have to look at it to really figure it out. You can also post a video on your channel and let me know and I can evaluate from there.
@@VintageAudioTech That the "Holy Cow" has installed a TL082 to save a few cents in order to save the lower noise TL072. At the moment there is even a difference of 5 € cents, but the industry will definitely get better prices.
Cassette decks are getting popular again. Good job
Audio like this will never fade
Yes these decks were made to last!
Это точно!)
Nakamichi decks play so clear like a CD. I have a 581 that I cleaned up and it's sweet.
581 is a great deck!
It's great to see someone who knows what they're doing with one of these. A really enjoyable video to watch. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m currently working on another Dragon and will post a video about that one soon. It was completely frozen!
What an awesome job. As the Gold standard in cassette decks, the Dragon is like no other. I would recommend Paul over the “other” guys any day of the week! Paul revived this 40 year old Dragon to like new again! Bravo
Thank you very much for your kind words! Happy to help you. I hope you enjoy the Dragon and get plenty of use from it 🎉
That's a pretty thorough job you did. Nice work!
Glad you enjoyed it 🎊
Those orange caps can be a problem as well. great video
Thanks for sharing, well done, I wish the owner a lot of fun using this marvel.
You and me both! Thank you!
Excelente Vintage Audio Man, mi Deck favorito 👍
This is a shared favorite with many!
Great work on the machine Paul!
Patience is number one, you must have spent tens of hours on this, unless you're very familiar and have some of the components already at hand. Some really good images here too, top video!
I fully understand the 'buzz' we all get when we reach that moment - 'it's done'! ;o)
Thank you!
It’s certainly rewarding when the finished product is good again. I spent about 10 hours on it. Maybe a few more that I didn’t charge 😂
yes I had problems with those 4066 switching chips as well
Yes these ones had some unstable voltage
Beautiful professional work!👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙂
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice myself I have a few nakamich tape decks in my collection and the Dragon has always been my favorite even though I dont have one in my Shop I have serviced a few .
Nice that you work on decks as well. Keep the format alive!
Very good deck, however the Revox B215 is mechanically much more strong then the Dragon, it's built like a tank.
I prefer the Revox, but both are great machine's.
Congratulations for your fine work of restoration.
Thanks! Yes decks like Revox and Tandberg are serious transports!
This is great. Nice to see you making these videos again mate. You sort of disappeared for a few years there 😁
I know! There are more videos on the way!
👍, saludos desde tierra azteca.
Greetings from San Francisco! 🎉
Pretty complicated looking machine
It is a marvel of engineering
Thanks 👍
Thank you too
Dragon,uno dei RE assoluti!!
Do you think that today if Nakamichi we're still making decks they would be able to simplify everything? It seems to me that there's a lot in that deck to go wrong. .
If they stayed in business and kept going with the cassette format it would have been flawless at this point.
Trabalho de excelência.
Parabéns.
Ivan de Ipatinga MG Brasil
I have my Dragon making a clicking sound, but not when running reverse. Any idea what could be the problem? Otherwise it works fine. Thanks for an interesting video!
That is the auto azimuth motor assembly. It is either stuck or the azimuth is off alignment. Could be many things. Is your serial number on the back silver plate 4 or 5 digits?
@@VintageAudioTech #05435
@@Algabatzan early version. In this Dragon I did end up removing the azimuth motor assembly and doing a full cleaning, greasing and re-alignment. I did not add that part in this video.
@@VintageAudioTech Thanks for the info. I'll begin with disconnecting the motor cables and try to set it by hand and see if that helps. Do you know if there are test tapes available somewhere?
@@AlgabatzThe original full track test tapes are difficult to find. You may try eBay or FromJapan.JP which is a Japan Proxy site so you may purchase on their market
Great video
Thanks for the visit!
Paul I am in need of your services for a Nakamichi Dragon. How can I contact you
EScassette@yahoo.com send me the details there
Good job. It sounds really good. I need to do mine now
You should!
i bought one when released allthough my father was the nakamichi freak but i remenber feeling that i had made a great purchase and it worked for 6 monthes witrh perfection but those years or early 80´s were the more i used cassettes and for sure i gave a heavy use to my Dragon , after those 6 monthes i notice some changes in it´s functioning and the auto-reverse never used it, but when summer arrived i notice some litle interferencies in the sound of cassettes i only remenbered a similar problem on a Sony cassette deck from a friend of mine so i stoped it put to use the Pioneer i had, the 3 year old CT-F1250 and bye bye litle Dragon non fire spitter, and a while after i went for the TEAC Z-9000 that it was the best at the time and the Dragon when in 94 i thought ,"well ,they improved it ,lets try again and two dragons i had stoped, working at 95%. In 2019 ,i made 10.000€ selling both and i didn´t demand 5.000€ each just a specialist ofered me it and said"i can´t give you more" i trying to hide my hapiness said it´s ok take them, the worst i ever had and when buying the first one i also bought a BX-2 as a second deck, let´s say that the Pioneer CT-F1250, the TEAC Z-9000 and the BX-2 still work perfect today with maintenance and also from my father i received all top end models nakamichi decks starting in the 74 1000 and the last released that i kept the DR-1 and i made a lot of money selling them ,only kept to myself a 700ZXL and a DR-1, i even bought a maseratti looking like a 70´s sport car with a powerfull V8 engine from 2017 only with the money of the top decks from nakamichi, so they are good to sell not to play cassettes for that there are dozens of better decks , even a 76 Pioneer CT-F1000 is working perfect and since 76 my second deck after a CT-F2121 also from Pioneer , sounds and records amazing good but my favorite format since the 70´s is the open reel deck for it´s sound quality and several recording options, but from nakamichi there is a component that i am surprised by it´s quality and still to be needing repair which is strange in the nakamichi world that is the Stasis power amplifier released in the 80´s if not the original one ,the MKII is far from the real Stasis
Tricky aren’t they thank God you know what you’re doing.
Thank you!!
Hi ,there is a Nakamichi Dragon for sale in the UK for about £2000 it looks like it’s been in the loft for 20 years a bit dusty ,I was tempted to bye but after watching many videos including yours I’m obviously very weary of buying an old Dragon 🐉 I live in the UK. I used to run Nakamichi TD 1200 in my car many years ago and boy it was outstanding but it kept breaking down had to go to London every six months to get it fixed ,in the end they couldn’t repair it I don’t think they were that qualified might be different today ,the 1200 had self azimuth adjustment and I’ve always wanted to own a dragon for home 🏡 thanks for your videos 👍
Thanks for the vid. Just picked up a serviced late model serial number (21k+) that I've incorporated into our home audio system. Beautiful machine and very impressed with the sound. Not quite as good as hi-resolution audio playback from my other sources but for it's time it just cannot be beat as an all around performer. One question.... Operation of our Dragon has been exceptional. However, on one brand new prerecorded studio cassette tape (Tiger lily by Natalie Merchant) the auto reverse from side A to side B started to fade and then stop while playing the beginning of side B. Tried it a few times with the same result. Side B played fine when flipped and played from the beginning. Weird. We only have one other tape (Rocky) which when played from side A to B using auto reverse had no issue. Any ideas on what would cause the tape to start fading then stop playing after auto reverse? Again, thanks for the detailed vid.
It sounds like there is something wrong with the tape path. More than likely from the pinch rollers. I would have to take a look to identify the problem
Would definitely like to have you restore mine. I've owned it since 1991
Hello
Send a message and we can get started. Email in channel description
Sabe me dizer qual ano foi fabricado?obrigado
Thanks for your nice video of the Nak Deagon.The 4 digits sr nos have the problem of Az correction issues.I have Nak ZX7 and one issue has cropped up ,the deck when put to on the stop button blinking does not stop and there fore the deck is under inoperational mode. No playback etc happens
The other issue is of the 15k switch light also glows continuously but tgat was not effecting the playback,azimuth correction etc.Could you help in thus matter as it is a problem of different kind.
I can certainly take a look at the deck right now I’m about two months booked. You’re welcome to send it to me and I can evaluate the issues and let you know what it would be to repair it.
Thanks a lot.
I have never seen any Nak tech explain how the auto azimuth works. Does it sample the tape for highest output at the upper frequency levels, most manuals do not recommend that for adjustment ? Ok who wants to buy a Dragon for ten grand that needs to be serviced every two to five years for a thousand bucks or more ?
They want you to adjust azimuth in between FWD & REV. A good middle ground so that the auto azimuth sensor compensates for little adjustment
no, it works on PHASE (with a band-pass filter on 2KHz-8KHz range).
Right channel is splitted on two tracks.
No phase difference means perfect azimuth
Hello.
I have some problem with my Dragon.
Just started a few days ago. As soon I switch on deck, it start playing automatically. Stop button working if I am holding it, when I released start playing again. Another buttons not working at all. Before everything was working well. I need your advice, please. What happened, can I fix it by myself? Thank you.
Could be a few things, but possibly the mode cam gear is not aligned properly. I would have to look at it to really figure it out. You can also post a video on your channel and let me know and I can evaluate from there.
Hi. What tape is that at 8:38 ? MC-112C. Where can I get one ? Thank you
It’s the Sony Mirror Cassette MC-112C. Bought it on eBay years ago
082D JRC 2107🤣
@@VintageAudioTech That the "Holy Cow" has installed a TL082 to save a few cents in order to save the lower noise TL072. At the moment there is even a difference of 5 € cents, but the industry will definitely get better prices.
@@TTVEaGMXdeoh they did that constantly and other brands are guilty of it. 5 cent X 10000 units is a savings. But yes I get your comment lol
Can you please service my Nakamichi bx 300 i am from India
Shipping would be so expensive though!
I want in india