Nakamichi Dragon Performance with Type II tapes

Yeah,sealed Vertex goes for at least $75 and MA-XG for $40. Old MAs are better than newer ones. Maxell MX-S is quite good, usually $12-$15 a piece. Sony Metal Master and That's Suono just don't sound good on my deck, and Vertex and MA-XG are mechanically better. MA-R is good too but newest MA-XG with green shell is a little above it. Older MA-XG is the same as MA-R. Denon MG-X is OK too, a bit bright but clear and dynamic.
This is all with my deck. With your deck it may be somewhat different.

Even when they were new,this was a characteristic.I ended up making tapes for in the car only.

I had no idea metal tape cost so much now. I have not used my Dragon for recording in several decades. But Inna, with all due respect, back in the day I really did prefer the sound of chrome tape. Metal always sounded a bit harsh to me, better specs notwithstanding. I was not the only one who came to that conclusion. Metal "superiority" was analogous to the way solid state gear sounded in the 70's and 80's during the "spec wars". So, Livin, you might just experiment, with an open mind.

cassettes are so limited in the high frequencies, that when archiving a cassette to digital now, I usually play it back without Dolby decoding, then e.q. They sound pretty dull, otherwise.

Yeah, why not experiment with different types and brands? Just don't push the recording level too far; I use 5 for type II and 7 for type IV.
When it comes to Vertex and TDK MA-R and MA-XG it is not only the tape itself that counts, it is the anti-resonant case. It make a lot of a difference. As far as I know, the tape in TDK MA and MA-R (MA-XG) is the same.
Unlike Vertex. It is not the same tape as Maxell MX and MX-S. Though many who pay up to $100 for Vertex are collectors, some are audiophiles. I don't pay $100 a piece but for $50 I would buy a few pounds. There is a reason for that. And no there is no harshness whatsoever.

Thanks HifiHvn,Lloydc & Inna. I'm going to try the TDK MA tapes this weekend.I'm also planning on bumping up Bias levels during calibration bu about 0.5dB. Will let you know the results.

Thanks for all the great advice.

Best Regards