Goodbye (for now), Harmon/Kardon TD4200
The TD4200 cassette deck was produced by U.S. manufacturer harman/kardon beginning in 1990. The unit was discontinued in 1995. My father purchased it for his high-end sound system during that period.
I’ve been using it to digitize mostly one-of-a-kind cassette bootleg recordings of Charlie’s gigs. Until it started emitting an sporadic high-pitched squealing noise. Not only annoying, but made digital transfers impossible. From what I’ve read, the problem may simply be a motor that needs oiling. As I don’t know to take the machine apart, and the monetary value’s pretty low ($60 on eBay. It originally retailed for $329), I’m going to retire it for now.
Thanks to my father’s longtime friend and stereo component-advisor/supplier/sound engineer Ken Christianson of ProMusica Chicago, my digitizing process can continue. Ken sent me a replacement unit, a Luxman K405, produced in Japan between 1985-1988.
May you live long and prosper, Luxman K405!