A drive chassis has a rotating head drum around which a magnetic tape can be looped and a magnetic head or combined head for reproducing and/or recording signals in the longitudinal track of the magnetic tape arranged between the head drum and the tape drive shaft. A holding device for the magnetic head is constructed so that, on the one hand, it can be easily mounted on the drive chassis and, on the other hand, the magnetic head can be adjusted simply in relation to the position of the magnetic tape above the drive chassis. The magnetic head (H) or combined head (H) is fastened to a carrier plate (1) which can be elastically adjusted above the drive chassis (8) and which can be elastically deflected by adjusting means in order to adjust the azimuthal position and the angle of inclination of the magnetic head (H) for the tape/head contact. Holding device for stationary magnetic heads or combined heads, in particular for video and digital audiotape recorders.