Cassettes suffer a fatal flaw, speed regulation is dependent on the cassette as well as the machine. Flutter specs will never match a decent R2R and are frequently audible. Couple that with deterioration of (the by now) antique pre-recorded tapes and the inevitable wear on pinch rollers and one can see that sourcing a well functioning 25 year old machine can be a real chore.
I seriously doubt that the cassette format will ever make a comeback adequate to support the manufacturing of new high end machines. A quick google for "new cassette decks" is not promising. Nakamichi is now a shadow of its former self and support for their old decks is non existent.
For the same or less money, you could buy a functioning 5050B2, a superior format and far superior machine that is also easier to work on. I guess if you have old cassettes that you must play such a purchase can be justified, but as a living format? I don't see much hope.
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