Dobly B/C Filtering MCX Recording Filter Ferrite Recording Head

Plays cassettes only one way, would be nice to have the deck have a reverse head.

THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE 960BX! I own a rotel system, and was looking at different model decks to go astetically into my system. Before buying this deck off ebay I auditioned it at a local rotel dealer, and was extremly please with the performance. I own this deck for 3 months now, and it is extremly reliable. You can set a spot on the cassette deck, to rewind to and play over and over again. You can also make a cassette play in a continious loop. Recording off the deck are fantastic, and playback, is near cd quality.

sound quality
easy operation
quality

no builtin remote (only via remote cable on receiver or amp)

Another great product from Rotel,

after selling my Teac, I did not use a deck for many month. I own a Sony JA-20ES minidisc deck, to make copies for my walkman or car.

But I still have a lot of tapes (almost 200 pieces) and so does my grilfriend. May have recordings on it not available on CD. So when I got the oppertunity to buy a second hand Rotel RD960, I took it right away.

The deck is in line with the other 900 series. Like the 965 it has a tape unit made by Alpine. This means that it is very stable. Copies made on a good tape (Sony UX-S) with dolby C sound very good indeed. I must say I was very suprised, by the recordings it made.

Operating is very easy indeed, the lack of remote is only a minor issue. Dolby B/C and HX pro is standard. Music search very handy and operation is silent and quick. The ajustable bias makes is easy to ajust bias to your favourite tape.

If you ever find a RD955, 960 or 965 in mint condition, just buy it !! You will not be dissapointed.

Similar Products Used:

TeaC V570
Philips deck

Easy to use, good sound.

A quality deck with few frills (although it does have a limited use remote). This deck makes very good (not great) recordings. Reliability has been excellent. Not the best sounding deck I've owned, but a good choice.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TA-2800, Harmon Kardon Cd491, Harmon Kardon Cd 391, JVC KDA5

It's rare these days for high-end users to consider cassette tape decks as a component that cantruly capture the essense of what true high-end audio
is about. All too often, recording devices are ignored or considered too low in fidelity for such
systems. This time, however, the tables have turned.
Rotel has managed to bring high end performance to the lowly cassette tape.
Looking at this deck, nothing special seems to jump out at you. Its spartan exterior is misleading.
Inside beats the heart of a true Rotel. The transport
and heads were made by Alpine, but the recording and
playback preamps are pure Rotel design. The deck offers Dolby B and C noise reduction as well as HX
Pro headroom extension. Tape selection is automatic;
the deck reads the notches on the back of the cassette to select between normal, hi-bias, and metal
tapes. This sets both bias and equalization. A bias
fine adjustment is also provided. Bi-directional music search and remote control round out the features of this fine tape deck.
I experimented with this unit recording from several different CD's, and the results were amazing.
The recorded tape was practically undistinguisable from the original source material! This was while using TDK SA-X tape, although similar results were
obtained with type IV metal as well. Even normal
bias tape, although not as spectacular as with the
other tapes used, still sounded way above average.
For anyone who likes to make tapes for their cars, this tape deck will serve especially well. At $400,
it's a true audio bargain.

Horrible product! I bought this because my other stuff is Rotel and I wanted it all to match. What a mistake! It sounds like a Technics--not at all Audiophile.
After six months of confusion, I finally went out and bought a used Nakamichi for $200. It sounds 50 times better. My advice? Buy a used Nakamichi--don't waste your time with any of this newer generation stuff.

Sounds very good. Nice features. Seemingly good construction. 2 year warranty.

Unreliable.

This item was purchased about a week ago. Two days ago
it developed a mechanical problem and now has to go in
for repair. The dealer won't take it back.

Sound quality is ok for a cassette deck.
It's reliability, to me, is zero.

For the price, I would pass on it.
For the reliability, I would pass on it.
Just pass on it.

The Akai has lasted about 15 years. The JVC and Carver over
five years. The Rotel, three days.

Similar Products Used:

I have used many reel to reel and cassette products over the years. Current models are Akai, JVC, Carver(Aiwa made) and Rotel.