![]() A pitch control allows you to adjust playback speed, and a cue-and-review feature can be used to easily locate any section of your tape for playback.Ĭons: Fewer features than higher-end models Having separate record and playback heads allows you to check the quality of your recording as it’s being recorded to tape, without having to rewind the tape and play it back later. Gaining popularity with news reporters and sound recordists of the mid-1980s to late-90s this cassette player made quite the name for itself with its built-in features. The Marantz PMD 221 remains a solid piece of gear. Verdict: Marantz’ PMD 221 is an analog portable cassette player that’s hard to beat for both listening and recording purposes. Pros: Built-in speaker separate record and playback heads pitch control The cassette playback is barebones, but where this cassette player shines is its ability to record instruments or mics via its inputs on multitracks and manipulate the mix on the fly no matter where you are. ![]() While the TASCAM Porta ONE Ministudio can’t fit in your pocket, it was still marketed as a portable cassette player, recorder, and studio. Verdict: A portable, analog, cassette audio ministudio that’s able to run off batteries or DC power - what more could you ask for? Well, it could be smaller. Pros: Two mic/line-in inputs four track channels TASCAM Porta ONE Ministudio 4-Track Cassette Recorder However, it is a modern-made player, meaning its build is brand new and won’t be needing repairs any time soon. The B-1000 doesn’t offer too many features, besides the baseline play, stop, rewind and a record option. RecordingTheMasters pride themselves on being the leading manufacturer of professional and long-play analog audio tapes. Verdict: A modern-made cassette player that allows you to focus on the music and nothing else. RecordingTheMasters Mulann B-1000 Walkman Its build quality is surprisingly good for its price point as well. This port gives the player the ability to convert tape recordings to MP3. Offering a streamlined approach that plays tapes back like any other portable cassette player, it has one thing older cassette players lack: a USB connection. Verdict: This player is designed with digitising your cassette collection in mind, and is a snip at this low price point.Īt this price point, the ION Tape Express Plus cassette player over-delivers. Pros: Will let you digitise your cassettes While there is no definitive approach on picking out the perfect portable cassette player, what we recommend is to look for built-in features that make sense for what you want from your listening experience - and to go with the best condition that your budget allows.īelow, we dig into the pros and cons of seven of our favourite portable cassette players. If you’re looking online, and don’t have the option of trying before you buy, then be sure to do your due diligence and ask all the right questions about the state your potential player is in. ![]() A quick fast-forward and rewind of a tape will tell you if anything is wrong with the player, and since most models have 3.5mm headphone jack inputs a test listen should be simple enough too. If buying in person, then we’d recommend testing the player out yourself, since you’ll most likely be buying a used machine, and mechanical problems can occur. However, these newer models don’t tend to have the best build quality in comparison to their predecessors. Most of these manufacturers focus on turning your tapes into digitised copies via a USB connection. There are a few modern brands making new portable cassette players. Car-boot and garage sales, thrift stores, and charity shops are also places where you can expect to nab a bargain. As you might expect, extra features and more premium build quality (metal-bodied players, for instance) will drive up the price. Sites such as eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look, and all feature sellers catering to different price points and varying degrees of build quality. The good news is that even the best cassette players, both used and new, can be purchased at relatively low prices. ![]() A quick search online and you’ll be bombarded with a tonne of confusing options spanning styles, sizes, and eras. ![]() Shopping for your first portable tape player can be daunting. Your expert guide to the best portable cassette tape players on the market, used and new. ![]()
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