How to Buy a Tape Deck

With tape decks, convenience features, such as high-speed dubbing and auto-reverse, can also degrade sound quality. It's important to decide which trade-offs you're willing to make before you buy, and to listen carefully to the decks you're considering.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Audio Cassette Holders
• Audiotapes
• Cables
• Tape Deck Players
• Credit Cards And Loans

1. Choose between dual-well and single-well decks. Dual-well decks will not sound as good as comparably priced or less expensive single-well decks, but they make tape dubbing easier.

2. Determine what's more important: convenience features or sound quality. High-speed tape dubbing degrades sound quality. Auto-reverse significantly degrades sound quality and reliability.

3. Decide on the noise-reduction technology you want. Dolby S is the most effective form of Dolby noise reduction. Dolby C NR is superior to Dolby B NR. Most prerecorded tapes use Dolby B NR. Dolby HX improves signal-to-noise ratio. Dbx, no longer available on new decks, is the most effective method of noise reduction.

4. Decide if you want control over the tape type. Most decks automatically read the tape type (I, II, or IV, also called Normal, CrO2, and Metal, respectively) and adjust the bias. But some decks allow you to fine-tune the bias for individual tapes.

5. Consider buying a used deck if you are willing to replace the heads, which will cost $100 or more. If you choose a used deck, buy one made more than 10 years ago to take advantage of better construction and sound quality.

6. Make your buying decision based on sound quality, price, features and the service provided by your salesperson.

7. Consider upgrading stock RCA cables that come with the unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Three-head decks allow you to monitor recordings while you're making them.
• Discrete motors for Forward, Fast Forward, and Rewind will prolong the life of your deck.
• Dual capstans provide better speed accuracy, helping to prevent wow and flutter.
• Microphone jacks are now a rare feature; headphone jacks are usually included.
• Any service contract is likely to be a good value on a cassette deck. The heads need to be professionally cleaned and aligned about once a year.
• Do not pay more than $500 for a tape deck unless you have a specific need for cassette tapes. Buy a CD recorder instead.

on 9/23/2006 Dolby HXPro adjusts tape bias to provide better reproduction of loud high-pitched sounds. It is used only while recording, so you don't need it if you only play tapes. It is not the same as noise reduction (like Dolby B, C, and DBX), and should be compatible with all noise reduction systems.

on 6/30/2006 As I remember, Dolby HX Pro circuits support Dolby recording. Some decks support only Dolby playback. When recording from other source, Dolby NR recording must be done for its playback. Without this procedure, A non Dolby pre-recorded tape sounds bad with Dolby NR playback. A Dolby C recorded metal tape from CD Player can sound like a CD if the deck is good.