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Its probably appropriate to compare these two decks together. Many know Sony and Aiwa shared technology (in part because Sony had partial ownership of Aiwa then), and they also shared design and parts between their tape deck models. I've even heard they're tape decks were made in the same factory in Japan. Anyway the Aiwa XK-S9000 and Sony TC-KA7ES were known as not only the best tape decks they ever made at the pinnacle of the technology, but also their last great tape deck. The Aiwa was made in the early mid 90s, while the Sony was from the mid to late 90s. The Sony used some technology the Aiwa didn't (Like copper shielding and seperated sections, plus gold plated heads). The Aiwa also had some things Sony never had. Regardless their designs are similar and both used Dolby S chips and heads by Sony.
I have both the Aiwa deck, plus what is known as Sony's second best (or third if you count the TC-K555ESJ model) deck- the TC-K909ES.
My Aiwa is not repaired yet, so I cannot comment on its sound. But many would say its a very good sounding deck, especially with type 1 tapes. I do have a copy of the Audio Mag review from July 1993 as well.
Does anyone on here own the A7ES deck from Sony? I'm wondering how it compares against Aiwa's deck. The Sony was more expensive then the Aiwa as well. The A7ES was a Japanese only model (as was the 555ESJ), but some have filtered outside of Japan. Im aware of one person who has this deck. Any comments?
Follow Ups:
Braxus, I have not heard it myself, so take this with a grain of salt. I heard from fellow tape deck addict ( he had over 100 decks over the course of time) that KA7ES was great disappointment to him, an expensive p.o.s. in his words. He had 890 and 909 and could not belive that Sony will make something like this. He sold it right away. If you google the net, there are others with the same experience. It was enough to keep me at bay from buying one.
I used to sell Sony back in the late 70's early 80's and their technical audio engineering was OK but not up to par with the best inovators like Nakamichi. That said, for 88.9% of the public it was good equipment
for the money, just not excepetional. They tried to remedy this with the ES and succeeded to some degree but IMHO never really made it over the fence. However their TV's did make the cut, which is why to this day all my display devices are Sony. I have heard similar stories about AIWA's loose partnereship and collaboration. The XK-S9000 IS one of those rare birds that shows up every so often and lets everyone know that someone was burning the candle late into the night. It is a PHENOMENAL device that came chock full with not only lots of bells and whistles but world class sound... I picked one up at a local repair shop that had been forgotten due to needing belt maintenance thus paying a token amount and laughing all the way home. YEAH BABY!!!
Oh so you are the guy that had the review of the deck on Audio Review. I read that one and the guy I bought the deck off of also used your review to comment on this deck. I wish I paid a small amount for it as you did. I ended up paying more then new for mine.
Well, look at the positive side. The 9000 is destined to become
a Picasso among tacky up and commers which don't have the pedigree
that machines like these oooze. How many Nakamichi's came with an A/D
converter, Dolby S, direct to tape circuit, Gold satin metal work with high gloss rosewood panels, and Auto load thrown in for good measure? Get my point. If you sell someday I cannot imagine taking a bath on the residual price. Not many were ever made and someone will pay dearly to obtain the unobtainable...
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