PURPOSE: To provide a cassette loader adapted to both a compact cassette and a digital compact cassette by a method wherein a tape cassette insertion/ extraction mechanism which sets a cassette on a recording/reproducing position while the cassette is inserted into a cassette holder and latched with it.

CONSTITUTION: A slider 16 having hooks 16d and 16e which are latched with the reel holes or the latching trench 51a of a cassette 50 is provided on a cassette holder 4 so as to be able to slide to the direction of the cassette insertion. After the cassette is inserted to a required position, the cassette is lowered with the cassette holder to a recording/reproducing position while it is latched.