Vintage Cassette - Nakamichi RX-202 Unidirectional Auto Reverse Cassette Deck

How do I clean tape heads?: To clean tape heads, use pure isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swabs. Throw the swab away after use.

How do I demagnetize tape heads?: Practical tape head demagnetizers are available for under $10. Try to find one with a plastic coated tip. If you can't find one which is plastic coated. you can slip a drinking straw or plastic tube over the tip for the same effect. This plastic will prevent the demagnetizer from scratching the head.
Before plugging in the demagnetizer, remove all tapes from your working area and unplug the recorder. Hold the demagnetizer away from the recorder as you plug it in. Slowly bring the tip of the demagnetizer up to the tape head and slide it back and forth across each tape head for five one-second strokes. Then pull it away from the head slowly and go on to the next. After demagnetizing the heads, use the tip on each metal tape guide with a similar five strokes. Last, slowly pull the demagnetizer far away from the recorder and unplug it. Recording engineers use a demagnetizer before each recording session. (courtesy of AudioFAQ)

Do I need auto reverse?: Auto reverse is a great convenience to some people. For me, I usually have blank space at the end of my tapes. I would rather flip the tape and have music than to endure the silence. (courtesy of Nakamichi Cassette Deck FAQ)

Is the master fade supposed to mute abruptly before the fade is complete? Is there any way to change the timing on the fades and when the mute engages?: There are two speeds of fade. Two seconds if you hold the button in and four seconds if you just touch it and release. (courtesy of Nakamichi Cassette Deck FAQ)

How has Nakamichi dealt with the problems associated with auto reverse?: Since most decks can not obtain a perfect 180 degree turn of the head, which results in poor azimuth in one direction, Nakamichi refused to make an auto reverse deck for many years. They finally produced the RX-202 and RX-505 which are uni-directional auto reverse. The tape is actually turned around and the azimuth is unchanged. They also made the Dragon which features self-correcting azimuth in both directions. (courtesy of Nakamichi Cassette Deck FAQ)

Is there an easy way for me to tell if a deck has the gear update? What would I be looking for?: The only machines than needed the gear updates are the BX-, CR-, MR-1, and the RX-202. The way to check is to open the tape well cover and remove the two screws located on the top at either side of the black metal plate which sits behind the tape. These screws are small--Be Careful!!! Pull this forward but take note of the grooves this sits in at the bottom. Between the reel tables, there will either be a rubber wheel (size of a penny) or a gear. That's it. When replacing the back plate, be careful to re-align the bottom of it with the grooves on the capstan (metal posts at bottom). Failure to re-align properly can result in motor damage and poor tape alignment. (courtesy of Nakamichi Cassette Deck FAQ)

What is the difference with models designated by an "E", "A" or "O" and those without?: Models designated by an "A" have been produced for North America (USA and Canada), "E" are products for Europe, "O" are products for Japan and those without any designation are for all other markets.

I'm missing the transparent plastic cassette cover of my RX series deck. Will a 202 or 303 cover fit a 505?: The RX-202 cover is unique for this deck. The RX-303 and 505 share the same cover so they are exchangeable.