Hey so i regularly make mixtapes for my SO who doesn’t really give a crap about audio quality so long as it’s listen-able, if you’re more after the novelty of having the physical tape and the care that goes into making here’s how i do it for cheap: I record from my laptop on with this sony stereo (first listing i found but you can find them for cheap anywhere) and i record on to Maxell tapes. You can find them easily online but personally i can usually find them at my local thrift store for like a buck. As far as portable players go you might be able to find an og walkman at your local thrift for cheap (that’s where i got mine but depends on your location) there are cheap ones on amazon too but obviously they are garbage quality but might suit your needs if your partner doesn’t care about that.
Nothing fancy but it works well for me and my SO loves getting the tapes. I think it’s a great personalized gift that’s p inexpensive:-)
If you're only wanting a device to make a few cassettes and be done with it, what's wrong with a cheap USB to cassette tape recording device?
If you're looking for something to keep and use after making a few cassettes, I'd start with thrift stores to see if you can get a working or near working deck. Or buy used locally (Craig's list or FB market) so you can see it for yourself/test before buying.
The other devices like the Sony boombox has an AUX line-in you can use to connect your PC to and record to cassette as well. https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Stereo-Cassette-Boombox-CFDS70BLK/dp/B01DUF3UVC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=8DKSUSXZGGLU&keywords=sony+cassette+boombox&qid=1641329666&sprefix=sony+cassette+boombox%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-3
i'd recommend a sony CFD S70, not going to blow your mind but it's better than a lot of stuff being made these days
> I’d buy an album but I don’t have a disc player.
> Also Spotify still pays artists the same amount if you use pirated premium
Nobody knows that.
> You could subscribe to another streaming service.
You never responded to this point.
In case you're like me and intimidated by some of the maintenance/repairs you might have to do on the older thrift store decks being suggested by others I've had some luck with some recent amazon purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-CFDS70BLK-Cassette-Boombox-Audio/dp/B01DUF3UVC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1494607670&sr=8-4&keywords=sony+boombox+cassette - I love this one because it looks almost exactly like my first Sony boombox I got in '91. There's a pretty extensive review of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV7gXNZRQnA
https://www.amazon.com/PTTCSM70BT-Bluetooth-Turntable-Recording-Cassette/dp/B00J5XPLTI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494608974&sr=8-3&keywords=pyle+turntable+cd+cassette - this is my main stereo right now. the turntable leaves a lot to be desired but the tape decks are nice. only complaint i have is the decks open a bit slow but that's pretty minor.
Stay away from all the side loading single button decks on Amazon. I started having problems with the one I had after a month.
I had a hunch, because I've had speakers reconed by a service listing on eBay, that there might be a repair service. You might ask them which would be the best bang for the buck and success story among the decks that are shippable to them for repair, here's one with 100% positive feedback.
Anyway, that must SUCK. I haven't hit that day but it is looming when all the players (and recorders) crap out. You have to go online due to your location, I guess, to Amazon and eBay, look for a Sony or Onkyo or Tascam that is in working condition from someone reputable with return terms and great feedback.
These Sony's (below link) have been in this general style for over a decade. The ones I have checked the manuals for, which claim recording function, have a small input jack on the side. I am going to guess that some will record from the stereo line in and some will only record from radio and the CD player, but that is a guess. I would get one of these from a source with an exchange policy so you can get one that plays and records as advertised.
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-CFDS70BLK-Cassette-Boombox-Audio/dp/B01DUF3UVC/
Nothing on the market right now under $50 is high quality.
For a few more dollars you could look at
https://www.wearerewind.fr/product-page
https://www.recordingthemasters.com/store/audio-gear/b-1000-ew-walkman/?v=7516fd43adaa
All of which have mostly favorable reviews, though not rave reviews.
Any inexpensive cassette recorder on amazon right now is going to be the same experience. Also, any portable that records is not going to have nearly the same quality as a larger deck.
So keeping that in mind, you could try one of two options. If I were in your shoes, I would first try:
secondly, and least preferred of the two:
neither will blow you away with quality, but as for new and not completely horrible cassette player/recorders, those are it.
just got one of these for my 80yo mom and she loves it, plays her CDs and tapes.
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Stereo-Cassette-Boombox-CFDS70BLK/dp/B01DUF3UVC/ref=asc_df_B01DUF3UVC
This is a USA reply, don't know where you're at. I'll link first the current look. Second link is the earlier look with both devices on top of the body. They are styled different. With the one with both on top of the body, they made these for decades, so you keep an eye out for them. Good luck.
Amazon seems like a good place, because I'd get it from where you can exchange it if something doesn't seem right.
I've read the manuals for the new ones and I've had 3 of the old ones and they will all record from CD to Cassette.
The notes on this sub about the belts needing replacing is important. It takes some trial and error to get things figured out, and I hope you stay with the hobby and start hitting the yard sales and thrift stores and craigslist.
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-CFDS70BLK-Cassette-Boombox-Audio/dp/B01DUF3UVC/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-CFDS05-Cassette-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00383PB0U
I hear good things about this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Stereo-Cassette-Boombox-CFDS70BLK/dp/B01DUF3UVC