RX-505

About the RX-505

The Nakamichi RX-505 is a high-end auto-reverse cassette deck featuring three discrete heads (separate record, playback, and erase heads) optimized for flat frequency response beyond 20 kHz, contributing to excellent recording and playback quality. It uses Nakamichi's unique unidirectional auto-reverse mechanism, in which the cassette is mechanically rotated for seamless playback of both sides without reversing tape travel direction. The transport is a belt-driven, closed-loop dual-capstan design for stable tape handling and low wow and flutter. The deck supports Type I, CrO2, and Metal tapes with manual tape type and EQ selection, and provides off-tape monitoring via its three-head configuration. It includes a 4-digit digital tape counter with memory stop, Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction, and a standard cassette 4-track, 2-channel stereo format. Key measured performance includes a tape speed of 4.8 cm/s, frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz with Metal tape, signal-to-noise ratio of 70 dB with Dolby C, total harmonic distortion of 0.9%, and wow and flutter of 0.04%.