Nakamichi LX-5: The Perfect Harmony of Form and Performance
Against a deep black backdrop, an intense, razor-sharp laser beam cuts horizontally from vivid green into a fiery red. This powerful visual statement perfectly symbolizes exactly what the Nakamichi LX-5 represents: pure, unadulterated precision piercing through a canvas of minimalist design. Beneath the breathtaking exterior of satin-silver and matte-black lies a recorder of true Nakamichi heritage. While many early-1980s hi-fi manufacturers cluttered their faceplates with a chaotic maze of buttons, the LX-5 embraces "Simplicity of Form... Excellence of Performance." The advanced secondary controls—including manual Bias Tune, Dolby B/C noise reduction, and tape selector switches—are elegantly hidden behind a subtle hinged flip-down panel. But do not be fooled by its calm, architectural exterior. The moment the tape rolls, the LX-5 unleashes a level of performance that was entirely unattainable with conventional technology. Driven by Nakamichi’s legendary Discrete 3-Head system and a unique, microprocessor-controlled asymmetrical Dual-Capstan Diffused-Resonance transport, this deck delivers a fabulous frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz with distortion safely under 1%. The LX-5 proves that true high-end luxury doesn't need to be loud or flashy; it is a masterpiece where aesthetic beauty is the ultimate reflection of sonic perfection.
Asymmetrical Dual Capstans
Silent Mechanism
Diffused-Resonance Transport
Microprocessor Control
Double Capstan
Discrete 3-Head Technology
Pressure pad lifter
3 Heads
Dolby-C NR
Digital Meters
Full Logic Control
Metal Tape
Dual Capstan
Stereo
Nakamichi 1000ZXL
The Nakamichi 1000ZXL must certainly be the most expensive and the most sophisticated "state of the art" cassette deck ever produced. It's huge price tag made it out of reach for most consumers and still today it belongs to the group of hard to find cassette decks and so still out of reach for most of us.
Asymmetrical Dual Capstans
Silent Mechanism
Diffused-Resonance Transport
Digital Fluorescent Display
Auto Azimuth Alignment
A.B.L.E. (Azimuth, Bias, Level, Equalizer)
Microprocessor Control
RAMM (Random Access Music Memory)
Double Capstan
Discrete 3-Head Technology
Pressure pad lifter
3 Heads
Dolby-B NR
Digital Meters
Full Logic Control
Metal Tape
Dual Capstan
Stereo
Rack Mountable
Gold Plated Jacks
The motor used in Sankyo transport decks is a major source of problems in these aging decks. The problem is seen as a deck that seems to not respond to front panel controls (play, stop, rewind, etc.) and on some decks where the transport mode lights flash after an attempted mode change. This is caused by a dead spot that has formed on the control motor stator. A short term fix is to open the deck and give the motor shaft a little nudge. This usually gets it out of that dead spot, but, it will get stuck again. Some people have had success with spraying Caig Labs, DeoxIT into the holes on the back of the motor and cycling the deck through the modes several times. A better solution is to remove the motor from the transport and after spraying in the DeoxIT to let it run for several minutes using an external power source between 4-9 Volts. This will help the motor brushed to scrap away the carbon in the dead spot. A more permanent solution is to disassemble the motor and use very fine grit sandpaper or steel wool to clean the stator while spinning the thing with and electric drill. Apply some DeoxIT and reassemble. There is one more possible solution. Replace the motor. Now these motors are no longer available from Nakamichi, but, two suitable replacements have been found that will require a few minutes of modification to the deck. The Mabuchi RF-370C-15370 motor from MCM Electronics for $32.65 (out of stock at last check) is a very close substitute. The Johnson RF-370C, P/N 174693 motor from Jameco Robot Store, for $2.49 has a slightly longer shaft, but, it will work fine. The mounting holes are 17mm apart on the motors and 16mm apart on the Nak transport. Take a small rat tail file and elongate the two holes on the transport to mount the new motor.
I decided that the best option for me was to “remove the motor from the transport and after spraying in the DeoxIT to let it run for several minutes using an external power source between 4-9 Volts. This will help the motor brushes to scrape away the carbon in the dead spot”. (Hopefully) The procedures explained below are to suit The Nakamichi BX300 deck but can possibly help with other Nak decks with the Sankyo transports. The BX300 is relatively easy as it does not require much disassembly and you don’t need to disturb the wiring loom or cut cable ties etc. There are a few things to watch for (as I discovered), but I will point them out along the way. Please read the text first before pulling anything to bits on each step.
RX-505 Dolby On-Off / Dolby B-C / Eq 70-120 switches no longer lock in place? Here’s the fix!
Found a direct gold-plated replacement for the ordinary RCA connectors.
This modification was tested on CR-1 and CR-2 but may also work on DR-2, DR-3, DR-8, Cassette Deck 1.5 and Cassette Deck 2 but with a different Pin Jack P.C.B. Ass'y. Other models in these series already have gold plated connectors.