Best Blank Cassette Tapes

I have a Nak LS-5 I still use

I use Maxell XL II tape exclusively (best bang per buck)
I still make tapes for the car on occasion
You can pick up an 8 pack C -90 brick for $9 at Sam's Wholesalers

I used to bias tape decks using the Nak analyzer,

If you have the bias controls on the 505 (sorry I can't remember if that came on that machine - past my time)
the Maxell tapes were a -1 bias versus TDK and Nak SA tape formulations on my LS5. With a three head setup, you can isolate the correct tape bias via ear using headphones and material like piano music

hope this helps

Tom

Maxell Vestex are the ones you want.

Your question has to be divided in two parts. Who made the best shell and who made the best tape. The Best shell ever produced was TDK MA-R manfactured between 1982-1985. This is a solid metal alloy shell with clear plactic on the two sides. I still have over 20 of these I use. The 2nd best is the MA-XG produced from 85-89 which is a metal and plastic combo. The metal vertex is only slightly better that the current maxell MX-X that was just discontinued and was way overpriced when it came out. Now for the Tape: The two best are TDK MA-X and Maxell MX-S. I have A-B both in the same shell and perfer the maxell although both are excellent. The maxell has more body and better balance. The TDk has a bit more detail and resolution but does not sound as Smoooth as the Maxell MXS. I use the Maxell tape in my TDK shell for the best of both worlds. Buy as much Maxell as you can now before its too late, Its a great tape. John

Rob: I saw your posting about audiocassette tapes and
thought I might put in my two cents worth. A number of
the audiocassettes listed above are all of fairly decent
quality. However, finding some of them may be a problem.
And if you have to get anything by mail order - you set
yourself up for anything from backorders to shipping
damage.
Of all the audiocassette out there that you can
easily find, I think that TDK SA is a really great tape.
I say this as not only an audio enthusiast, but also as
the owner of a twelve year old video editing and media
duplication company. I've duplicated hundreds of TDK SA
cassettes over the past six or seven years - of everything
from sermons to legal depositions to local bands - and
never had any problems I could think of. TDK has great
quality control, puts their tape in a decent quality
shell, and as I've mentioned is not hard to find. Pick
up some TDK SAs soon.