TDK D - True Mechanism -1979
An enigmatic cassette that still causes discussion over 40 years later.
If you're unsure what I mean, have a watch of this video, which "triggered" quite a few (sad) people. There is also a follow up video, right (!), two videos based on the same cassette!
Fake or not, and in my opinion they are not fake at all. They were indeed produced by TDK, as the full quality of TDK is beyond present. These were definitely produced with other market targets in mind though just like Tony Villa suggests. One other thing, they seem to be one of the first clear quality shells put out there and they look and feel phenomenal in your hands.
NOTE: Very few remaining now of this super iconic cassette.
Very hard to find, even more so sealed, get one while you can.
PLEASE NOTE: These have very fragile wrappers, so expect some minor cosmetic damage.
About TDK:
TDK was founded in Tokyo, Japan, on 7 December 1935 to manufacture the iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei.[3] In 1952 and 1957 they began production of magnetic tapes, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966; it is for these that the company is most widely noted. TDK used to manufacture an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until the recording business was sold to Imation in 2007.
Operations in the USA began in 1965 with a New York City office,[4] and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany.[5]
Since 1997 TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR ("Acoustic Response"), then the AD ("Acoustic Dynamic") and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA ("Metal Alloy") line in 2004. The SA ("Super Avilyn") and D ("Dynamic") lines were withdrawn in 2012 under Imation ownership. Industry trends see the company moving into new forms of media; in 2004 TDK was the first media manufacturer to join the companies developing BD post-DVD technology.[4] TDK operated a semiconductor division in California for about a decade, but divested it in 2005.
In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million.[6][7] This also included a license to use the "TDK Life on Record" brand on data storage and audio products[8] for 25 years.[6] In September 2015, Imation announced that it had agreed to relinquish this license[9] and would cease selling TDK-branded products by the end of the year.[10]