Nakamichi CR-4A (1989–1991)
The Nakamichi CR-4A is a 2-head, single-well cassette deck produced from 1989 to 1991. Period listings describe it as a refined version of the earlier CR-3E. It is a straightforward, no-frills Nakamichi of the late eighties. The transport is a dual-capstan drive with two motors.
Audio magazine (August 1988, p.90) profiled the deck at a $995 price and measured its frequency response at 20 Hz to 21 kHz, ±3 dB. The same review noted that the CR-4A's response extended low enough for organ music, which helped reduce distortion at higher frequencies as well (p.94). The reviewer noted that there were few audible clues as to whether they were listening to the tape or the source, even when switching back and forth (Audio, August 1988, p.96).
The known specs are modest. It has Dolby B and C noise reduction, a signal-to-noise ratio of 60 dB with Dolby B, wow and flutter of ±0.07%, and RCA line inputs and outputs. It measures 43.8 cm wide by 12.2 cm high by 22.1 cm deep and weighs 4.7 kg. No original MSRP with clear attribution, no THD figure and no power consumption spec have surfaced in the documentation available.
- Type: 2-head, single-well stereo cassette deck
- Transport: Dual capstan, 2 motors
- Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz (±3 dB)
- Noise reduction: Dolby B and Dolby C
- Signal-to-noise: 60 dB (Dolby B)
- Wow and flutter: ±0.07%
- Dimensions: 43.8 × 12.2 × 22.1 cm (W×H×D)
- Weight: 4.7 kg
The record is thin past that. No owner reviews, maintenance notes or known failure points turned up in the collected sources. The CR-4A appears to have been a competent, honest deck, and the reviewer at Audio found it essentially transparent in A/B listening. It just lacks the documentation trail of flagship models like the CR-7 or ZX-9.
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