@PromptedInk @MsMadLemon Truthfully, every "new" tape player uses the same 2 cheap mechanisms -- 1 mono, 1 stereo -- and doesn't offer any sort of noise reduction tech. Go eBay, buy a tape deck from the 80's or 90's.
@jenny753 @PromptedInk @MsMadLemon Yea that's a good shout, but then you might run into a unit that has terrible warble, or the belt is unreliable, or the tape speed is messed up.
If you don't mind spending the money, perhaps consider Fiio or WeAreRewind.
@killyourfm @PromptedInk @MsMadLemon Fiio and WeAreRewind use the same mechanisms though. Better to get a refurbed old unit or learn how to replace the belts yourself.
@jenny753 @PromptedInk @MsMadLemon I have those same (new) mechanisms in my TASCAM 202MKVII deck and honestly, I see and hear zero problems with it. I have some tapes that sound absolutely marvelous on it (better than their vinyl counterparts)
@killyourfm I'm sorry but they are absolutely not worth the money. They use the same mechanisms you can get from AliExpress. You've paid for branding.
@jenny753 @PromptedInk @MsMadLemon I have a sony tcm-818 I use for music playing. Does the job and has features enough for me - recommend avoiding a super modern deck - they're generally of poor quality.