TDK MA-XG: The Finest Audiocassette of All Time, (IMO, At Least...)

thanks to members "STUWEE" and "BRAXUS" i was introduced to the magic of both generations of the finest compact cassette blank that TDK ELECTRONICS CORP. ever made, and arguably the finest in existence...


TDK MA-XG (1987)






the original 1987 version, in a class by itself. with a die-cast metal alloy frame and four precision metal rollers along the tape/deck contact path. one of the most complex designs of all time, it's structural complexity to the best of my knowledge bested only by it's offspring:



TDK MA-XG (1990)





while this version has no metal rollers or die cast frame, it is no less impressive. what with it's complex six-piece construction for the body alone! there is also precisely mounted metal weights and no less than ten screws holding the entire assembly together. all this surrounds a double layer metal particle tape that records CD sound and plays back with virtual transparency to the source!! BOTH versions of this legendary cassette blank have the highest recommendation i can possibly give...









This post has been edited by MacGyver on January 02, 2009 11:36 am

Tanx for the info. Nice pics.

the two versions, side by side:








1987 SA-XG ad with exploded view of the assembly it shares with the MA-XG:


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...EW/KSCN0002.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...EW/KSCN0001.jpg




1990 MA-XG advert pamphlet with exploded view of the mechanism:


P-1: http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...ETTES/MAXG1.jpg

P-2: http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...ETTES/MAXG1.jpg

P-3: http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...ETTES/MAXG3.jpg

P-4: http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...ETTES/MAXG4.jpg

You'll get no arguments from me ! It's amazing the look on folks faces when they hold one, they can't believe how heavy they are.

I should ad that the later version is also avaliable in other markets with Fermo printed in gold on the top instead of MA-XG (I scored a couple recently). Same great tape. It counfuses some people and they don't bid on them, = Score!!

two-page advert for the 1990 MA-XG, which can be found in the MARCH 1992 issue of STEREO REVIEW:



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...R9210-2-085.jpg


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s...AR9210-2-08.jpg

Great tapes, I used them a lot with my tascam cassette and portastudio decks and they captured many great mixes and performances for me with a more musical sound than I was able to get with digital recorders back then. Mainly because the digital recorders showed the weaknesses of my 'home' recording gear and general lack of talent back then.

The TDK wasn't as rugged as the Maxwell's for longevity, but sounded better, likely not an issues for home use, as you wouldn't be cuing the tape so much.

Still, a Sony Beta Hi-Fi was the way to go back then for analog 2 track, it outperformed a lot of 2" machines. Still waiting for that to catch on again (ouch just looked at ebay prices, looks like it has caught on again). Simply dump your old CD's (the ones that hurt your ears anyways) onto Sony Beta and you have a much better source. Even VHS had excellent sound, but it wan't pure analog.

I love having just a cassette deck in my car and grabbing handfuls of cassettes for a buck just about anywhere.

Cheers,
Ian

This post has been edited by Grant Fidelity on January 04, 2009 09:24 am

yeah, i'm a BETA enthusiast as well. i'm on the beat for either a SONY SL-HF750, or the PIONEER VX-90 (SONY SL-HF900 clone)



PIONEER VX-90 (1985)







SONY SL-HF750 (1985)






This post has been edited by MacGyver on January 04, 2009 09:38 am

Where do you guys find such nice cassette blanks?

**The Secret Society** i'd tell you more about it, but then i'm afraid i'd have to kill you, and i don't really wanna do that. but seriously, your best bet, outside of knowing someone with some copies you can talk them out of, is, of course, the BAY. be patent and vigilant, and one for you will pop up sooner or later...

I don't know. I'm thinking that the Vertex, or indeed the Denon HD8 give the MA-XG a pretty solid run for the money.

Well a lot of us are simply fortunate enough to have been sitting on them for years. As noted above, Ebay is probably the best bet for anyone still looking. And of course every once in a blue moon, myself or some others over on TH will release a few.

I see them on Ebay quite often, but they are expensive for 1 tape. $30 is average. I have yet to use my 1990 MA-XG tape. Might have to get a couple more before I crack one open.

here's another two page ad for the 1990 MA-XG!!



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s.../TDKMAXGad1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/s.../TDKMAXGad2.jpg