Onkyo TA-2700 Cassette Deck

Description

Introduced around 1990 as part of Onkyo’s respected Integra lineup, the Onkyo TA-2700 represented an excellent balance between audiophile performance and affordability. At a time when cassette technology had reached its peak, the TA-2700 offered many of the features found on considerably more expensive decks, including a three-head configuration, three-motor transport, dual-capstan drive, Dolby B and C noise reduction, and Dolby HX Pro headroom extension. Rather than chasing flashy features, Onkyo concentrated on the fundamentals of accurate recording and stable tape transport, resulting in a deck that continues to be appreciated by vintage audio enthusiasts.

The TA-2700 employs a true three-head design, allowing users to monitor recordings in real time by instantly switching between the source and the tape during recording. This capability is especially valuable when optimizing recording levels and manually adjusting tape bias for different cassette formulations. Support for Type I (Normal), Type II (Chrome), and Type IV (Metal) tapes gave users the flexibility to achieve excellent recordings regardless of media choice.

Mechanically, the deck features a three-motor, dual-capstan closed-loop transport engineered to minimize tape skew, flutter, and modulation noise. Combined with a specified wow and flutter of just 0.04% WRMS, the transport delivers smooth, stable playback and accurate pitch. Frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz when using metal tape, while Dolby C noise reduction provides a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 80 dB, producing recordings with impressively low background hiss for the cassette format.

The front panel is clean and thoughtfully arranged, featuring fluorescent peak-reading meters with peak-hold capability, a digital tape counter with elapsed and remaining time display, separate source/tape monitoring controls, and manual bias adjustment. The removable cassette door allows easier access for cleaning the heads and capstans, simplifying routine maintenance.

Professional reviewers praised the TA-2700 for emphasizing performance rather than gimmicks. Stereo Review observed:

“Achieving better than average performance for a lower than average price seems to have been the plan.”

The magazine also noted that the deck omitted unnecessary frills while including the features that genuinely improve recording quality and ease of use, making it an outstanding value in the crowded cassette market.

Over the years, the TA-2700 has developed an excellent reputation among collectors and cassette enthusiasts. Owners frequently praise its warm, balanced sound, reliable recording quality, and robust construction. On enthusiast forums, it is often compared favorably with similarly priced Yamaha, Sony, and Denon decks from the same era, with many users commenting that properly serviced examples continue to produce recordings that rival far more expensive machines. Like most cassette decks of its vintage, replacement belts and occasional transport maintenance are typically required, but parts remain obtainable and servicing is generally straightforward for experienced technicians.

Today, the Onkyo TA-2700 remains one of the hidden gems of early-1990s cassette technology. Its combination of excellent transport engineering, comprehensive recording controls, and refined sound quality makes it an appealing choice for collectors, analog recording enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a capable three-head cassette deck without paying the premium commanded by comparable Nakamichi or high-end Sony models.

Specifications

• Type: 3-head, single cassette deck
• Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
• Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s
• Heads: Record, playback, erase
• Motors: 1 DC servo, 2 DC motors
• Transport: Dual-capstan closed-loop drive
• Tape Compatibility: Type I (Normal), Type II (CrO₂), Type IV (Metal)
• Noise Reduction: Dolby B, Dolby C
• Headroom Extension: Dolby HX Pro
• Manual Bias Adjustment: Yes
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (Metal tape)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 80 dB (Dolby C)
• Wow & Flutter: 0.04% WRMS
• Line Input: 80 mV
• Line Output: 0.5 V
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 435 × 132 × 366 mm
• Weight: 6.8 kg (15 lb)