Nakamichi represents the best in cassette machine design, the "Rolls Royce" of cassette tape recorders.
The Japanese word is 優秀 meaning excellence.
I had a number of Nakamichi's, this 480 was one of my frequently used machines until it just had too many problems to put up with any longer - 40+ years is a long time and eventually parts begin to fail.
Prior to carefully taking this machine apart, it was FULLY FUNCTIONING but the power ON/OFF switch finger had broken and all the rubber in the transport needs replacing and a complete clean - I have other machines to play with so hopefully others can make use of these Nakamichi parts/sub sections.
Nakamichi Cassette Recorder Model 480 SPARE PART
Complete Main PCB
Substantially it originally left the factory, I have only unwound some of the wire-wrap terminations to separate the other components of the deck.
This board has never been modified, including the capacitors - totally original.
All switches work fine, no issues at all
Level control sliders for record are fine, tracks are not noisy and come with the push on front knobs
Keep in mind, this equipment was manufactured in the days when wire-wrap was extensively used (terminations are made with special wire "wrapped" tightly around square posts - no solder is usually used. These actually have stood the test of time and I have found those connections to be extremely reliable - no "dry" joints
Reconnection into a machine could be made using the same wire-wrap technology (tools are still available) or simply wrap and solder to the posts (less authentic though)
There is one exception to the wire-wrap only terminations - there are 4 posts used for the 240V AC line from the power switch (YES THERE IS LIVE 240V ON THIS BOARD WHEN ACTIVE!) and those terminations were wire-wrapped PLUS soldered.
This main board was/is functioning in all respects up until the time of equipment removal and dismantling has been undertaken very carefully to ensure no damage during "extraction" from the equipment.
To ensure no damage to the board, it has been laid on a sheet of very stiff cardboard and sealed within plastic while being stored.
ALL screws for this mounting this board plus any other screws I had left after dismantling the Nakamichi 480 (including the case 4x black screws with washers) are within a sealed plastic bag and supplied with the mainboard.
