Reliable dubber, easy to use, more than adequated recording performance for non-discriminating listening, broad compatibility with recordings made on other machines.

A dead loss with recording with high position cassettes; transport stability (if you want to be critical) depends on at least 30 minutes 'warming up';that's it. No auto or even manual calibration of anything (bias, EQ, record sensitivity etc)

I purchased this deck purely as an inexpensive twin unit for dubbing tapes for non-discriminating friends, whose playback environment would probably be the car. First off, its an interesting deck in this price range as it has three motors, one for each deck and a further unit for a variety of servo functions. Build wise its a lightish, moulded plastic framework, physically quite large (as with many JVC components) and well finished. Control layout is neat and logical and the display is above average for the price range. It forms part of an integrated entry level home theatre system but can be purchased seperately. It accepts JVC plug-in 'Compu-Link' remote control systems, enabling full function control from a suitably equipped JVC integrated amp or receiver. It records only on one deck and plays back on both. It has a high quality (at least 20 segment) flourescent display, Dolby B and C, HX-PRO, recording mute and full auto reverse on both decks for sequential recording and playback. The unit does certain things very well, which are:

1. Dolby C is a suprisingly well executed curcuit and sounds natural and clean with classical music in particular.
2. The mechanism is very quiet, but the capstan drive needs frequent lubrication (every 6 months).
3. Copying from deck to deck is very stable, provided it is done at normal speed. Run the deck for about an hour prior to dubbing exercises, other wow may be noticable.
4. Records very well from FM radio, provided you have a clean signal. Dolby B works well.
5. Compatibility: Plays back pre-recorded tapes very well.
6. Reflect improvements in performances recorded on other decks (i.e. recordings made on high-end machines such as Nakamichi DR 1, Pioneer CT-S740S etc are kept reasonably intact.
7. Broadly compatible with other machines so far tested: Tascam 112, Pioneer CT-S604RS, Alpage/Alpine AL-50, Technics RS-AZ7.
8. Playback of Metals and Type II - very good.
9. Hopeless (seriously) with recording on anything except Type 1 ( possible insufficent consistently high bias current).

A perfectly adequate second deck, whose recordings sound great played back on itself and on my car JVC unit. For the money, you won't go wrong.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer CT-W604RS: It's a twin deck but different in most respects, not least price and therefore not a fair comparison. The Pioneer is the last of the pure analogue twin decks from Pioneer. It's a fully equipped Dolby S machine, with Super Auto BLE, FLEX, CD synchro etc.

Reliable dubber, easy to use, more than adequated recording performance for non-discriminating listening, broad compatibility with recordings made on other machines.

A dead loss with recording with high position cassettes; transport stability (if you want to be critical) depends on at least 30 minutes 'warming up';that's it. No auto or even manual calibration of anything (bias, EQ, record sensitivity etc)

I purchased this deck purely as an inexpensive twin unit for dubbing tapes for non-discriminating friends, whose playback environment would probably be the car. First off, its an interesting deck in this price range as it has three motors, one for each deck and a further unit for a variety of servo functions. Build wise its a lightish, moulded plastic framework, physically quite large (as with many JVC components) and well finished. Control layout is neat and logical and the display is above average for the price range. It forms part of an integrated entry level home theatre system but can be purchased seperately. It accepts JVC plug-in 'Compu-Link' remote control systems, enabling full function control from a suitably equipped JVC integrated amp or receiver. It records only on one deck and plays back on both. It has a high quality (at least 20 segment) flourescent display, Dolby B and C, HX-PRO, recording mute and full auto reverse on both decks for sequential recording and playback. The unit does certain things very well, which are:

1. Dolby C is a suprisingly well executed curcuit and sounds natural and clean with classical music in particular.
2. The mechanism is very quiet, but the capstan drive needs frequent lubrication (every 6 months).
3. Copying from deck to deck is very stable, provided it is done at normal speed. Run the deck for about an hour prior to dubbing exercises, other wow may be noticable.
4. Records very well from FM radio, provided you have a clean signal. Dolby B works well.
5. Compatibility: Plays back pre-recorded tapes very well.
6. Reflect improvements in performances recorded on other decks (i.e. recordings made on high-end machines such as Nakamichi DR 1, Pioneer CT-S740S etc are kept reasonably intact.
7. Broadly compatible with other machines so far tested: Tascam 112, Pioneer CT-S604RS, Alpage/Alpine AL-50, Technics RS-AZ7.
8. Playback of Metals and Type II - very good.
9. Hopeless (seriously) with recording on anything except Type 1 ( possible insufficent consistently high bias current).

A perfectly adequate second deck, whose recordings sound great played back on itself and on my car JVC unit. For the money, you won't go wrong.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer CT-W604RS: It's a twin deck but different in most respects, not least price and therefore not a fair comparison. The Pioneer is the last of the pure analogue twin decks from Pioneer. It's a fully equipped Dolby S machine, with Super Auto BLE, FLEX, CD synchro etc.