The BTG All-Star List...
  Someone asked me last week "OK, so you have a top 5. What the heck are your others???" Alright, the question isn't exactly word for word, but that's the general thought of it. So, I full on compiled my top ranked cassettes PAST my Top 5! Below you will see what tape, position, original price range, and so on. Take a look!
Rank* Brand Model Price Range** Type Notes
1 Maxell XLII-S $3-4 II Maxell's all-time best High Bias cassette. Close in comparison to their own MX Metal cassette.
2 Denon HD7 $3-5.50 II Mid-range High Bias cassette. Usually in 60, 75, 90 and 100 minute styles.
3 TDK MA $3-4 IV Entry level Metal cassette for TDK. 60, 90 and 110 minute styles were widely sold in the States.
4 TDK AD $1.50-3 I TDK's Normal Bias upper grade to D. Not sold in high volume in late 80's.
5 Fuji DRII $1-2 II Fuji's only current High Bias cassette. Great for CD reproduction. 60, 90 and 100 minute styles.
6 Denon MG-X $9-15 IV Flagship Metal cassette. One of the infamous "Super Metal" tapes of the 80's and 90's.
7 Maxell MX $3-4.50 IV Entry level Metal Bias cassette. Introduced in early 80's. Volume in late 80's.
8 Sony Metal SR $3-5 IV Cassette introduced in late-80's/early 90's. Possible replacement for Metal ES?
9 Sony UX-S $3-5 II It was a next step up from UX. Always been compared to TDK's SA-X.
10 Denon HD8 $4-6 II High quality Type II cassette. Sometimes used in best in bootlegging and has been used in studio productions.
11 Maxell UDII $1-2.25 II Great affordable cassette. Sounds better than for its use of being all-purpose casual recording.
12 TDK SA-X $2.50-3 II TDK's highest quality that is in the non professional line. Usually in 60, 90 and 100 minute ranges.
13 TDK D $.50-1 I Most popular cassette of all time. Recorded CDs faithfully on higher end systems.
14 Denon DX3 $1.50-3 I Records from CDs better than High Bias. Excels for use on Rap/Hip Hop and/or Dance.
15 3M Black Watch 4040 $4.50-7 II Possibly based on Denon technology? Higher end Metal cassette usually available in specialty stores.
16 Denon HD6 $2.50-4 II Most compared to TDK's SA and Maxell's XLII. Entry level Type II until S-Port came out.
17 That's CD/MH ??? II Uncertain where this comes from. Never seen it in the open market before.
18 Maxell XLI $2-3 I Not usually sold in high volume in late 80's, early 90's. High quality Normal Bias.
19 Sony CDix IV 100-200 yen IV Made only for Japanese markets. Compared to CDit in the USA.
20 JVC DA7 $2.50-3.50 II Produces low and rich bass. Great with Dance/Electronica music or anything where bass is concerned.
* Not all cassettes have been tried. list may change or even re-order based on experiences with cassettes.
** Price is per cassette. Price range differs from either memory, experience, or other feedback. If you know any other prices, email me.

Email me at chris@btgallery.com for questions, comments, contributions, or even your own Top 5 list.