TDK SA-X - 1987 - US
TDK's best, double coated Type 2, from possibly their best year. Only the phenomenal SA-XS and the ultra rare SA-XG better this, as far as their high bias tapes go.
Beautiful shell and great tape make this an ultra classic.
Note 1: 60 Minutes: Moderately scuffed wrapper on the front side. No cuts or rips, but the scuffing is there. Made in Japan. Only 1 available.
Note 2: 90 Minutes: Lightly scuffed wrapper on the front. No cuts, no rips. Only 1 available.
See below another great video by Tony Villa, on a 1986 SA-X cassette tape!
The 1986 TDK SA-X Type 2 Cassette And Why I Now Understand The Appeal Of Vinyl.
About TDK:
TDK’s origins trace back to 1935, when the Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo company was founded to commercialize ferrite, a magnetic material invented by Dr. Takeshi Takei that would become central to modern recording technology. By the 1950s and 1960s, TDK had evolved from a materials science firm into one of Japan’s most important manufacturers of magnetic tape, supplying both industrial and consumer markets.
With the rise of the Compact Cassette, TDK quickly established itself as a global benchmark for tape quality. Their formulations, especially the AD (Normal), SA (CrO₂), and MA (pure metal particle) series became reference points for consistency, durability, and performance. The SA and MA lines earned near‑legendary status among home recordists and audiophiles, helping define what “premium” cassette tape meant throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
TDK eventually sold its magnetic tape business to Imation in 2007. Today it is a major supplier worldwide of electronic components, sensors, and energy devices. Its strong focus on advanced materials and sectors such as EVs, renewables, and industrial automation keeps it positioned as a top-tier technology company.
TDK SA-X - 1987 - US