[net.consumers] cassette decks

khreb@mtuxo.UUCP (k.rosen) (02/19/86)

I would like recommendations on cassette decks
in the $200-$300 (discounted) price range.
In particular, I'd like to know about reliability and
recording quality.    Also, information about the
sources with the best discounts for audio equipment
will be appreciated.

ofut@gitpyr.UUCP (Jeff Offutt) (02/20/86)

> I would like recommendations on cassette decks
> in the $200-$300 (discounted) price range.

I bought a Technics RS-M228X cassette tape player in April 1983
for $220 (I think it was on sale).  It's in the shop now for a 
broken drive motor.  (That's what makes the tape go around).  The
automatic cut-off evidentally failed.  Price to repair is $80 at
a certified Panasonic service center ($25 parts).

In my opinion it's too soon to fail and the labor is outrageous,
but I don't know what's expected.  Other than that I've had no 
problems and it picks up no noise when I start taping.
-- 
Jeff Offutt
School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
...!{akgua,allegra,amd,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!gitpyr!ofut

e-smith@utah-cs.UUCP (Eric L. Smith) (02/20/86)

In article <1317@mtuxo.UUCP> khreb@mtuxo.UUCP (k.rosen) writes:
>I would like recommendations on cassette decks
>in the $200-$300 (discounted) price range.

I purchased two Technics RS-B57 cassette decks at Silo for $200 each last
year.  They are auto-reverse, and have Dolby B, C, and dbx.  I have been
very pleased with them except for two minor irritations:

1)  They sense the type of tape, but don't indicate it.  Twice I have put
    tape over the protect tab to record over something, and inadvertently
    covered the part of the hole that indicates high bias tape.

2)  No output level control, so the headphone jack is nearly worthless.  I
    suppose if I weren't so lazy I would just add something external.  This is
    only a problem for me when I have a party and want to cue one tape while
    playing another.

I have used each deck approximately two thousand hours, and have not had any
trouble with either.  I highly reccomend them.  As with any deck, clean the
heads regularly (and not with those stupid abrasive cleaning tapes).

-- 
Eric L. Smith  (801) 581-8100  e-smith@utah-cs.arpa  ...decvax!utah-cs!e-smith
3118 Merrill Engineering,  University of Utah,  Salt Lake City, UT  84112
  The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the
  University of Utah, my friends, enemies, computer, or even me.  :-)