AMIT@yale.ARPA (12/01/84)
From: Neta Amit <Amit> At least 3 guys around here found, seperately, that TDK has two lines of SA90 audio cassettes: one is made in Japan, the other in the USA. (Notice the difference between the older SA-C90 and the newer SA90. The country of origin is indicated on the label, and on the case.) We also found that the USA-made have consistent alignment problems: they make a strange, high-pitch mechanical noise (turn the receiver off!), quite similar to what happens when you rub the tip of a glass of wine. I wrote TDK about it. In response, they praised their products etc., and offered that I send them the allegedly defective cassettes for replace- ment, if indeed proven defective. They didn't admit any wide-spread problem (a possibility that I'd raised in my letter); they didn't send me replacement cassettes, so that I'd be able to save the old material; they didn't offer to copy for me old material to the new cassettes; I'm supposed to pay the postage. So far, I haven't responded yet. I'd like to know how many of you guys out there have had similar experience, so as to pursue the case further (possibly with Consumer Reports) if there is enough evidence. Please mail your responses directly to me. --Neta Amit UUCP: decvax!yale!amit CS, ARPA: amit@yale ------- -------
herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong, Computing Services) (12/02/84)
I have noticed the same problem too. That's why I buy the SA-X cassettes.
Last time I looked, they were still being made in Japan. Quality control
seems to be better in Japan. I also avoid buying the MA cassettes, prefering
the Fuji FR Metal (which is made in Japan) but have almost the same bias
and equalization requirements (higher bias than anything else on the market).
I have little confidence that the situation is going to change in the near
future.
--
Herb Chong...
I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....
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