TDK SA-XS

I have heard many good things about them, but I have never tried one myself. I am wondering if anyone has new sealed ones for trade? I have new sealed TDK MA or even TDK MA-XG I could trade.

 

Bump, on the off-chance.

 

I have seen one auction for nos TDK SA-XS but that is long gone. I would trade one of my used SA-XS for Fuji FR IS.

 

There are many on eBay, but I don't want to pay that kind of money. I am not a collector, I intend on using it just to see how good it is.
I don't used used cassettes, I don't even re-record on my own used cassettes. My cassettes are record once, play many times.

 

Ok. I use used casettes because NOS are priced so high it's silly. For the same price of 1 I can get 10 used. And even NOS tapes could have gone bad if badly stored.

 

Yes, you may be unlucky and get a bad NOS cassette. The chance of an abused used cassette is higher. Besides you don’t know if you are getting a true representation of what the cassette is capable off if it was pre-used, hence for me NOS only.

 

It will be harder and harder to get NOS tapes and of course with rarity comes higher price.

 

I am lucky I have plenty of NOS cassettes, only looking for TDK SA-XS because I have never tried one.

 

If you just looking to try, then I would buy one NOS too.
I have recorded one, but on Philips mini system, with Dolby C. As it was quite cheap, it haven't recorded it that good.
What I've read/heard about XS it's either one of the best tapes ever or nothing special (same as SA-X from the same time, so not worth the extra money).
I'm not sure what was the reason to make 3 layers, did it bring some bass?

 

I have read somewhere about reasons for triple layer tapes, but I can’t remember the reason why now.
Like you I have heard good and bad things about the TDK SA-XS, I never take other people’s words for anything. Some people are happy to read reviews etc not me. The only one I trust are my own. ears, hence I always do my own tests.

 

If you ever test it I will happy read your opinion.

 

I will let you know, but the way things are going I don't think I will find one. Also I think I would rather keep my TDK MA-XG's rather than swap one for the TDK SA-XS.

 

I wouln't swap MA-XG for SA-XS even though I love how SA-XS with red hubs (Older ones) looks, they aren't state-of-the-art as MA-XG.
I still would like to exchange one of my MA-R with SA-XS tape, as it's own tape has problems. That would make it MA-RXS*?
* There were SA-XG , SA-X in XG package, that would be something cooler

 

Try getting a TDK MA and swapping the tape into your MA-R instead, that would be a good swap.

 

The problem with that MA-R is it's first batch that doesn't have detect holes except for type I. So I thought of either:
A) using AR-X or other superferric as a donor for the tape ( that would mean I could use it in all walkmans even with automatic tape sellector)
B) use great tape type II or IV, recorded first, and use only in walkmans with manual selector

That's why I mentioned SA-XS.

 

I have the ones with the Type IV holes in them.
You will not like what I did with one of my TDK MA-R's, but here goes.

 

Why would I like it? It's, I wish I had talent to do such art. I love it

 

Thanks, it was not difficult. I thought you would not like it as a lot of people think it’s blasphemy to do that to a cassette, for me it’s art.

 

They produced so many tapes and when you buy you can do anything with it. And when it is so beautiful, I can't see anything wrong with it. And I find it funny, that tape is used as graphics material for a 'paint'. I love the look of some tapes, this is just making it so much special.

 

I remember trying out lots of TDK tapes back in the day. I tried MAX and MAXG, but I found them uninspiring...and much preferred the SAX. I imagine they're not for everyone though since they give a very 'bright' sound - it exceptional and pronounced treble - which I love.
The MAXG was awesome to look at, though - there's no denying that - and I never saw an SAXG, so I guess that is the best of both worlds.