My collection of portable cassette recorders

We live in a digital age where compressed music is predominant. We want to save space in an MP3 audio file format, as well as facilitate online listening via streaming.

All this conspires against better sound quality, which is far from the recording of an original source, whether recorded in a studio or live.

I prefer to listen to analog music, in a 2-channel stereo recording and not in a multi-channel Home Theater type of equipment.
That's why I go for audio equipment that today are considered Vintage components. From 1970 to 1989 preferably.

Do not confuse Vintage equipment with Retro equipment. Those are current equipment, but with the appearance of the old ones.

Today I want to share with you my collection of portable analog equipment for cassette recording and playback.

Yes friends, it is true that for many the compact cassette is obsolete, but for those of us who are passionate about High Fidelity, we like to feel in our hands and manipulate, these little plastic boxes with magnetic tape inside. A 60 years old support.

This equipment has accompanied me for years. They have served for a wide variety of uses, and I will break down each of them in order of age.

SONY model TC-92

This equipment of the Japanese brand Sony, with monaural sound, is a recorder that was created in the 70s.

It is a component that keeps the memory, along with me, of a time where it was connected to an amplifier with its output to the speakers, to play music at parties on weekends.

It was a beautiful time, where we got together with friends from the neighborhood and school.

Beautiful years where we listened to the ballads of Roberto Carlos; dancing with the girl who captivated us the night, and giving free rein to the seduction of the moment.
Where instead of beer or wine, we drank the so-called punches, based on alcohol mixed with chopped fruits and their juices.

SONY model TCM-5000

This model has been one of the most used among journalists and reporters for their professional work. It is a monaural sound recorder player and also incorporates its loudspeaker.
With a great construction of durable materials and functionalities that facilitate its best performance.

Since it went on sale in 1982 to date, it remains a coveted piece of equipment in the market and among vintage analog audio enthusiasts.

It could also be used at parties, but the favorite was the TC-D5 model that played and recorded in stereo sound. A well demanded piece, and one that maintains a price in line with its benefits.

SONY model WM-D6C

Since the legendary Japanese brand Sony manufactured its first portable player in 1979, they have made great advances in technology and sound quality.

Among the few professional Walkman models they manufactured, this one, released in 1984, was considered the top of the line.

It stands out for its design with metal chassis with black finish, its overall performance, its Laser Amorphous head, great stability of its tape path, thanks to the built-in quartz locking servo control. It offers us a sturdy leather case with its strap and line inputs. In short, every detail was made with excellence in mind and they succeeded.

Equipment that was given to my father in Cuba, for his outstanding medical career years ago. I remember that I was very surprised by this offer, since normally in my country professionals are rewarded with diplomas, gastronomic or tourist reservations, household appliances, food or medals. But when we saw that it was a Walkman with a box of metal tape cassettes included, it was something we never imagined.

And as every father knows his children's tastes, you can imagine who was the one who got hold of that gift.

MARANTZ model PMD-430

One of the brands that was born in New York and then migrated its headquarters to Japan, one of the most recognized for making High Fidelity audio equipment, and with a history of respect for 70 years.

This 1985 model is a portable stereo tape recorder that tops the lists of the best manufactured, along with the Sony Walkman mentioned above. As improvements, it brings 3 heads, that way, we can monitor how the actual recording is going. It incorporates an integrated loudspeaker

Personally, I like it better than the Sony, because of its design, its great construction, those beautiful VU meters separated for each channel, and features that when playing or working improve performance without losing sound quality.

AIWA modelo HS-J150M

This Walkman of the Japanese brand AIWA, was released in 1989. It brought the novelty of incorporating a radio with digital screen.

Equipment that my mother bought in Cuba, in the 90s. In very specific stores, where generally diplomatic personnel and foreign permanent residents were the most favored.

It was very practical, as it had a clock option, and I could listen to both AM and FM radio stations. There I was delighted with the good music played on the Nocturno program.
Saying this name is something that Cubans have enjoyed a lot. It is to travel and bloom the memories of a time in my country, where with less was enjoyed, and where spiritual values prevailed.

It has been stored for years without being used. Now at night I put batteries in it, and the clock and radio work wonderfully. It is nice to see how its display is still alive.