Nakamichi DRAGON, For the Cassette Obsessed Audiophile

There is a rather short, widely-accepted list of the most significant - read: landmark - analog recording devices ever created.  Among this list are great pieces of analog consumer gear like the Revox PR99 MkII, the Nagra IV-S, and Ampex 960.  But none of them have dazzled tape heads quite as supremely as the DRAGON - Arguably Nakamichi's best cassette player and possibly the industry's pinnacle.  There are other cassette players of considerable importance - the Studer 721, for example which we recently sold - But the performance and the name(!) of the DRAGON is something of an audio legend.   Its cult status among collectors, audio engineers, and hi-fi enthusiasts is not mere nostalgia; it is built on groundbreaking technical achievements that still challenge the expectations of analog media performance today.

At the heart of the DRAGON lies its most revolutionary feature: the Automatic Azimuth Correction system. Unlike traditional cassette decks, which rely on fixed tape head alignment and assume that each cassette is recorded with consistent azimuth, the DRAGON uses a sophisticated dual-capstan transport mechanism paired with a servo-controlled playback head that actively monitors and adjusts azimuth in real time. This enables perfect alignment with the recorded tape head angle—regardless of tape variability or age—resulting in pristine high-frequency response and dramatically improved stereo imaging.

This Nakamichi's three-head configuration, consisting of discrete record, playback, and erase heads, allows for real-time monitoring during recording, a feature that allows users to fine-tune the recording process with professional-level oversight. The deck's closed-loop dual capstan transport, powered by precision quartz-locked direct-drive motors, provides rock-solid tape stability with virtually no wow or flutter, preserving pitch integrity even during extended listening sessions or archival transfers.

The DRAGON's circuitry is equally ambitious. It utilizes discrete Class-A amplification stages for ultra-low distortion and high signal integrity, while featuring both Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction systems for dynamic range enhancement and hiss suppression. The result is a noise floor and dynamic range that can rival even early digital formats, a stunning feat for a format originally conceived as a consumer-grade recording medium.

Visually, this deck exudes minimalist elegance, with its sleek black chassis, motorized cassette door, and LED level meters.  Every button and dial on the DRAGON is engineered to precise mechanical tolerances. No matter how you look at it, the DRAGON means business. 

This particular piece is stunning inside and out. Besides the flawless playback and recording capabilities, this example has been completely overhauled with a full-complete recap of every circuit. It has been calibrated, measured and verified to meet Nakamichi's exacting standards for distortion and W/F.  Many, many, many hours went into making sure this piece of audio history is presented in the best possible light. 

Demos are highly encouraged in Andover, MA. Absolutely no disappointments with this one. 

$4,299 (plus shipping and/or sales tax, if applicable)