Also worth noting is that if you are using regular 80's/90's tape deck, some JVC, Technics, whatever, very often there are left/right mic inputs on the front. Those will give you massively different type of saturation than connecting with RCA from back of the deck. A lot of my own recordings are often done by using the front microphone inputs and plenty of gain. When cleaner sound is needed, connection with RCA inputs works well.
Also, besides the decks, it would be good to remember that tape itself has major role in this. If you want to crush the sound, get it melting nicely together, better use cheaper ferric tapes for that. Chrome and metal tape can take a lot more volume before it starts to saturate. Some of the best decks I have, are kind of... worst ones. It would not be good for dubbing tapes or listening, but to get really punchy and juicy sound, they can be good. I don't think there is necessity to recommend any deck in particular. Any deck you see at 2nd hand store or flea market or online auction, going for cheap price, might be best thing for the noise. Most of recent years Grunt was recorded with stereo deck I bought for 10 euro.
