Nakamichi 670ZX

The device was professionally renovated in June 2026.Its functions have been tested and verified.It is characterized by a clear, dynamic and detailed sound.The tape calibration also works great!It is in impeccable, like-new condition, both aesthetically and technically.If required, I will be happy to send you a video recording of it being used.It will be carefully packaged and shipped.
Das Gerät wurde im Juni 2026 fachmännisch überholt. Seine Funktionen wurden geprüft und bestätigt. Es zeichnet sich durch einen klaren, dynamischen und detailreichen Klang aus. Auch die Bandkalibrierung funktioniert einwandfrei! Es befindet sich sowohl optisch als auch technisch in einem tadellosen, neuwertigen Zustand. Auf Wunsch sende ich Ihnen gerne eine Videoaufnahme der Benutzung. Es wird sorgfältig verpackt und versendet.

The Nakamichi 670ZX (produced between 1979 and 1982) is a legendary, high-end three-head cassette deck that remains a benchmark of analog audio engineering. Situated in Nakamichi's iconic "ZX" lineup, it sits just below the flagship 680ZX, offering audiophile-grade fidelity, robust mechanical design, and advanced calibration features.
Key Technical Specifications

Format & Heads: 3-head design (Discrete Crystalloy Recording Head, Playback Head, and Ferrite Erase Head) allowing direct off-tape monitoring.

Tape Compatibility: Full support for Type I (Normal), Type II (CrO2), and Type IV (Metal) tapes.

Tape Transport: Asymmetrical Dual-Capstan, Diffused-Resonance Transport driven by a DC servo motor.

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (±3 dB with Metal tape).

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Better than 66 dB with Dolby B NR (and up to 72 dB using external noise reduction or high-grade metal formulations).

Wow and Flutter: Less than 0.04% WRMS.

Dimensions & Weight: 482 × 143 × 340 mm; approximately 9.0 kg.

Standout Features & Engineering

Auto Azimuth Alignment (Auto Azimuth Correction): The hallmark feature of the ZX series. When initiating a recording, an internal 400 Hz test tone oscillator activates a motor-driven mechanism that automatically adjusts the exact angle (azimuth) of the record head relative to the tape. This ensures perfectly phase-aligned stereo recording across any tape shell.

Manual Bias & Record Level Calibration: The 670ZX offers independent, front-panel adjustment knobs for bias and level. Combined with built-in test tone generators, users can fine-tune bias and sensitivity to match the exact electro-acoustic characteristics of individual tape brands.

Discrete Head Architecture: Unlike standard sandwich-type three-head assemblies, Nakamichi’s discrete heads are physically separated and individually aligned, preventing crosstalk and maximizing magnetic performance.

Fluorescent Peak-Level Meters: Fast-responding, wide-range LED/fluorescent peak level indicators provide precise visual monitoring of signal levels to avoid saturation, particularly important when recording onto high-coercivity metal tapes.

Pressure Pad Lifter: A classic Nakamichi mechanism that gently pushes the cassette's internal pressure pad out of the way. The dual-capstan transport maintains tape-to-head contact solely through precise mechanical tension, drastically reducing scraping noise and flutter.

Audio Performance & Legacy

The sonic signature of the Nakamichi 670ZX is characterized by exceptional clarity, wide dynamic range, and extended high-frequency air. Because of its auto-azimuth capability, tapes recorded on the 670ZX maintain remarkable stereo imaging and phase stability. Today, it is revered by vintage audio collectors and analog enthusiasts as one of the finest cassette decks ever engineered.