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NakamichiTokyo-based Nakamichi is a premium audio company. It is now owned by the Grande Group, a conglomerate based in Singapore. Background In the 1970s Nakamichi created stereo cassette decks that eventually made reel-to-reel tape recorders obsolete for consumers. Their Nakamichi 1000 cassette recorder was the finest cassette recorder made in the mid-1970s. It had three heads, high quality motors that reduced wow and flutter to new low levels, and had Dolby noise reduction to increase signal to noise ratios. Most audiophiles wanted, but few could afford the Nakamichi 1000, so Nakamichi came out with lesser models such as the Nakamichi 700, a silver instead of black version of the 1000, and the silver wedge-shaped 600. Nakamichi pushed live recording with their Nakamichi 550, a portable cassette recorder that had three microphone inputs: one for left channel, one for right channel, and one for a center blend channel. This recorder could run from batteries or AC and was used to make very high quality recordings in the field. All of these products were all known for top-notch engineering and sound quality. In the late 1970s Nakamichi updated their machines with the Nakamichi 1000 II, the 700 II, and other midrange and low-end models, but overall they became more complex and less reliable, and prices were raised as well. They branched out into other audio components such as amplifiers and eventually speakers, but these products were never as highly regarded by the audio community as their cassette decks were. In the early 1980s Nakamichi came out with further refinements in a successor top-of-the-line machine, the Nakamichi 1000ZXL. Prices pushed upward again, with this machine being $3,800 at the time. The updated 700ZXL was a mere $3,000. Low-end cassette decks sold new for under $200, with the Nakamichi name on them. This time period stands as the pinnacle for cassette recorders, as from that time forward digital recording methods began to make inroads. Notable Nakamichi Products and Advances 3-Head Cassette Decks Nakamichi was the first to use a 3 head recording technique. Separate tape heads were used for playback, recording, and erase, whereas prior methods combined the playback/recording function into a single tape head. The three-head mechanism optimized each head and was used on higher end decks from Nakamichi. Flip-Auto Reverse. Called "UDAR" for UniDirectional Auto Reverse. Used on the Nakamichi RX series of decks. With the advent of auto-reverse (playing the tape in both directions), Nakamichi recognized that the angle of the tape passing over the playback head could not be optimized for both directions. Thus, Nakamichi developed a mechanical mechanism that would eject the tape, spin it around and reload it into the deck. This was available on all Nakamichi RX series of tape decks, i.e., the RX-202, RX-303 and RX-505. Tape Pad Lifter. A cassette tape contains a "pad" of some type, usually made of felt. This pad is within the tape shell and opposes the magnetic head of the cassette deck, providing pressure when the tape is being played. Nakamichi's tape decks provided such accurate and precise pressure on the tape that they contained device to lift the pad so that it would not oppose the tape when it was being played back. This lifting system was unique to Nakamichi. The Dragon. The top line Nakamichi products were termed the "Dragon." The Dragon tape deck used a special microprocessor controlled azimuth adjustment to implement auto-reverse, and thus didn't need to eject the tape like the RX series. Note-- the 1000ZXL II was actually more advanced and expensive than the Dragon, and is much rarer, but for some reason did not acquire the "Dragon" name. The Dragon turntable automatically adjusted for off-center holes in records. The Dragon CD playing system has special mechanical dampening to prevent vibrations of the CD, and holds multiple CDs. Stasis Series Amplifiers. Nakamichi licensed "Stasis" technology from powerhouse amplifier manufacturer Threshold (a class A amplifier circuit by Nelson Pass, then a designer at Threshold, now at Pass labs). This circuit was used in a line of expensive Nakamichi PA series amplifiers, such as the PA-5. The Decline of Nakamichi Nakamichi has never held its prominent position in audio technology since that time, as they failed to move to computers, DAT, CDs and other new technologies with the same excellence that they had done with cassette recording. With the decline of analog taping, Nakamichi was unable to retain its appeal to the high end audio community. By the 1990s Nakamichi was largely forgotten. On February 19, 2002, Nakamichi Japan announced that they were filing for bankruptcy protection. It has since emerged, and Nakamichi is currently selling automotive stereo products and home theater items. Nakamichi also sells a line of higher-quality mini systems, to a market similar to that sought by Bang & Olufsen. Niro In 2001, Niro Nakamichi, designer of many of the historic tape decks, started a new company, "Niro." New, ultra high end audio components followed. These included "control engines" (preamplifiers) and "power engines" (amplifiers). These products featured innovative designs and addressed issues of mechanical isolation, as well as presenting a unique appearance. (reference.) Soon thereafter, however, the "engine" products vanished and a line of home theater products was introduced. These new products attempt surround sound using very few speakers and so far have lacked high end appeal. Internal Links External links * Niro Corporation Niro current web site, HT products.
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