jeff@tesla.UUCP (08/22/84)
From: jeff (Jeff Frey) Histories relating to this deck or its older brother (Dolby B only) would be appreciated. In particular, how are its W/F, dynamic range, distortion, etc., compared to a very good home cassette deck? J.Frey
bill@apl-uw.UUCP (Bill Hanot) (09/13/84)
I purchased the original Sony WM-D6 cassette deck last November, for
two primary purposes. First of all, for the variable pitch feature
which allows me to correct for multi-generation speed inaccuracies
when dubbing from old (live) tapes. Secondly, to enable me to record
live performances of various groups (jazz, rock, mostly Grateful Dead).
The published specs, which I do not have in hand at this instant, are
comparable to or better than most home cassette decks listing for under
$300. I have about five cassette decks at home that I play around with,
and the D6 is the second best of the lot (the best being a Mitsubishi
DT-30 that listed for $750 when I bought it). Wow and flutter are
for all practical purposes nonexistent, and any distortion is unnoticeable
at recording levels less than +5 dB on the LED "meter".
The only significant drawback I have found with the machine is the lack of
separate level controls for the mic/line inputs, leading to the necessity
of re-recording some concerts that I have taped. At home I use it for
the "play" deck when dubbing cassettes, so any channel imbalances can be
compensated for in the "record" deck.
The unit has needed service once in its first year of operation; the pinch
roller somehow was out-of-round (the service guy thought it was probably
that way from the factory, but didn't give problems until later). Parts
were covered (one year), but labor wasn't (90 days).
The only other "problem" that I have had is that the batteries only last
about 4 1/2 hours while recording, so to be sure I must change them every
show I tape, which adds about $3-4 to the cost of taping. At home, of course,
I use an AC-DC wall adaptor.
The D6 listed for $349, but I got it from J&R Music World in NYC for $234,
though the last ad I saw for it from them listed it at $269 (who says inflation
has been conquered?).
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Bill Hanot {allegra,decvax,ucbvax!lbl-csam}!uw-beaver!apl-uw!bill
(206) 543-1300 ext. 1341
9661 46th S.W. Seattle, WA 98136 (206) 932-1272
"love Seattle weather...10 million slugs can't be wrong!"