Update: aight, I'm keeping it. Check out my new next gen audio rig 3000:
I cleaned it out and it seems to work fine. The drive belts seem okay: not dry, but maybe a little loose, although the BPM of the music sounds about right. I paid $50 for it.
I have no bloody idea why I'd need it or would want to keep it. I just wanted to try it out, knowing that the store's policy is "no questions asked" if I return it within 30 days. Also, retro is fun...?🤣
Fwiw, I think this looks very well kept, and you already gave the insides a checkup.
I'm not familiar with the model, but Harman Kardon has a good reputation for quality builds. If it plays, I'm sure it'll serve you a good while.
Most decks are the same generic black box with small variations. Personally I'd go for something with analog VU meters, but different strokes and all that.
Yeah, analog "arms"/"needles"? would be so cool. I have also found this website, fixyouraudio in case the drive belts would snap. :)
There are still some vintage decks and amps out there with needle meters, yeah. Really, I'm just raising the bar for myself so I don't splurge on the first available cassette deck I see 🤣
Mkay, don't steal my thunder plz 🤣