Nakamichi TD-560 (c. 1989–1990)
The Nakamichi TD-560 was a car stereo head unit. It combined a full-logic auto-reverse cassette deck with an FM/AM tuner and, unusually for the period, a wireless remote control. Nakamichi introduced it in late 1989 and designed it to work with the company's CDC-101 CD changer and optional DAC-101 outboard D/A converter.
The cassette section borrowed heavily from Nakamichi's home-deck expertise. It used a Crystalloy play head with a narrow 0.6-micron gap and a two-way azimuth system that kept response flat in both tape directions. Nakamichi rated wow and flutter at less than 0.08% wtd. rms in forward and reverse, and claimed frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz in both directions. Audio (November 1989, p.28) confirmed the head design and published specs in its "What's New" column. Later testing (May 1990, p.56) noted that Nakamichi's tape-recorder expertise "came shining through" in the TD-560's cassette performance. The same review measured FM stereo separation at 32.5 dB at 1 kHz - slightly shy of Nakamichi's published figures - but praised the unit's ergonomics, calling it "a model of good ergonomics and a sheer delight to use, with a superb display" (Audio, May 1990, p.66).
The remote worked over a broad range of angles, so the driver could point it roughly toward the unit without needing a direct line of sight. That was unusually capable for a car deck. Both the front-panel controls and the remote could operate the CDC-101 CD changer, which was rare among late-1980s car stereos.
Surviving documentation on the TD-560 is thin beyond its press coverage. Production years and original pricing are unconfirmed. It appears to have been a short-lived model in Nakamichi's car-audio catalog.
Known Specs
- Type: Full-logic auto-reverse cassette deck with FM/AM tuner
- Play head: Crystalloy, 0.6-micron gap
- Azimuth: Two-way system for both tape directions
- Wow & flutter: <0.08% wtd. rms (both directions, rated)
- Frequency response (tape): 20 Hz – 20 kHz (both directions, claimed)
- FM stereo separation: 32.5 dB at 1 kHz (measured by Audio)
- Remote: Wireless, wide-angle operation
- System integration: Controls Nakamichi CDC-101 CD changer; optional DAC-101 D/A converter
Similar items on eBay
No exact Nakamichi TD-560 listings are live right now — these searches show current Nakamichi and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Nakamichi CR-7 (1971)
- Nakamichi 250
- Nakamichi 420
- Nakamichi 500
- Nakamichi 600II
- Akai CS-M40R (1983)
- Akai GX-7 (1970)
- Akai GX-8 (1975)
- Akai GX-F44R (1979)
- Akai GX-F71 (1982)