There used to be something magical about old cassettes. It wasn't just that they were handily compact or could store up to a whole two hours or music in reasonable if hissy fidelity. It was the fact that they put control of music recording into the hands of teenagers for the very first time. And listening to the Top 40 or John Peel, finger poised over the 'pause' button, became a national institution. Or so we're told.

Enter MP3, goodbye tape. Just like that. But the rise and rise of iPod, creation of the Clever Mr Jobs, has created a problem. What to do with all those old cassettes in one's bottom drawer/glovebox/recycling bin? And well may you ask.

Now at last true salvation is at hand for all those long-forgotten mixtapes and compilation albums (of which Now 10 is surely a classic). Think of this marvel from Ion as a Tape-to-Tape-to-PC and you're there - a dual-dubbing cassette deck that provides a uniquely nifty way of converting one's old cassette recordings direct to PC, and direct to iTunes, should you wish.

Incredibly, once you're done with your archiving task, one can utilise the Ion's standard RCA output to enable hassle-free playback direct from cassette via your Music Centre or Midi Deck at one's 80s themed hi-fidelity parties. All that's missing is the leg-warmers, the Kids from Fame and a foaming can of Tizer.