Studer 721 Vintage Cassette Deck, The "Apex" of Cassette Performance

The Studer 721 is not merely a cassette deck—it is a master-quality recording and playback instrument. It represents the apex of analog cassette technology, designed for professionals who required uncompromising control, transparency, and reliability.  Whether used in a mastering suite, broadcast studio, or serious archival facility, the Studer 721 remains a benchmark for what the cassette format can truly achieve when pushed to its absolute limits.

At the heart of the Studer 721 is a quartz-locked, direct-drive capstan motor system, engineered to deliver rock-solid tape speed stability. The motor system is governed by a microprocessor-controlled servo mechanism that ensures precise adherence to the correct tape speed, regardless of load or tape condition. This results in exceptionally low wow and flutter—often measured at below 0.03% WRMS—which is vital for maintaining pitch stability during playback and recording. The capstan system is paired with precision flywheels and a belt-less design, minimizing mechanical drift and wear over time, while enhancing long-term reliability and consistency.

The tape transport is one of the most advanced ever placed in a cassette deck. Featuring a three-motor mechanism, the 721 offers soft-touch logic-controlled operation, full solenoid actuation, and a transport chassis mounted on an internal die-cast frame for vibration isolation.  It supports all major tape formulations, including Normal (Type I), Chrome (Type II), and Metal (Type IV), with user-selectable EQ and bias settings that are precisely calibrated rather than broadly generalized. The deck’s internal calibration routines and bias fine-tuning controls allow engineers to optimize recording levels and frequency response to match specific tape batches.

Metering is handled by high-resolution LED peak meters that offer instantaneous, color-coded feedback for both channels. Unlike traditional analog VU meters, these displays are fast enough to respond to transients, enabling more accurate level setting and monitoring during critical recordings.  And to top it off, the meters on this unit have been replaced with completely new backlit Blue-Green dials to ensure longevity and a high level of performance. 

In fact, every aspect of this deck has been sorted out by our experienced tech.  It performs with extreme quiet, plays and records to Studer's advertised specs, and looks great doing it.  Formerly used in a recording studio environment, this piece has the chops.  Besides a few minor cosmetic blemishes to the top case (reflected in asking price) it's in very presentable physical condition. 

Demos are encouraged in Andover, MA. 

$1,799 (plus shipping and/or sales tax, if applicable)