Chapter 10-Cassette Decks


One of the most fascinating components of a stereo system is the cassette deck. Since its inception over twenty-five years ago, the cassette deck has been the most economical way to record. While it was invented as a dictation medium, vast technological improvements over the years have made it one of the most sonically successful components in audio history.

Unfortunately, partly because of its relative complexity and partly because of the lower overall quality of prerecorded software, it has also become a very misunderstood component. Many consumers are not aware of the differences in sound quality between various decks and a lot of inferior sounding prerecorded material hasn't done the medium any justice, giving the cassette deck a reputation for having very audible hiss and a lackluster sound quality.

In fact, on good quality cassette decks using high quality tape, recordings can be almost indistinguishable from their sources. Copies of compact discs and LP's are often audibly perfect, even to listeners who have a keen interest in sound quality.

Audio manufacturers have released two new recording mediums to substitute the trusty old cassette deck: DCC (Digital Compact Cassette) and MD (Minidisc). Both are capable of reproducing sound quality which surpasses that of the analog cassette deck (at least in specifications). For various reasons, it seems highly unlikely that these two components will replace the analog cassette deck, at least in the near future. Currently, the DCC format is for all intents and purposes dead while MD is making its niche in the semiprofessional market. So we can be assured that the cassette deck will still be with us for quite some time.




Cassette Deck Features



There are two types of cassette decks: single decks (a.k.a. single well decks ) and dubbing decks or double decks (a.k.a. dual well decks), which have two compartments to handle two cassettes at a time. If sound quality is a priority, single decks are the decks of choice. On the other hand, dubbing decks will be better suited to those who primarily want convenience in usage.

Probably the best way to decide which of the two types of cassette decks is for you is to ask yourself the following questions: Will I mainly be copying or playing prerecorded tapes or recording radio broadcasts? Will I be primarily recording for a car stereo or walkman? If the answer to one or both of these questions is yes, then a dubbing deck is the deck to buy. On the other hand, if recordings will be made for your home from compact discs, LP's, digital audio tape (see DAT), and other high quality sources, then the single deck is a must. Needless to say, if all of the above will be done, a single deck is still a better buy.

Cassette deck features include a full logic mechanism, recording level controls, recording level meters, auto tape selection, bias adjustment, record sensitivity adjustment, calibration tone generator, three heads, azimuth adjustment control, play trim, multiple motors, closed-loop dual capstan transport, noise reduction systems, mpx filter switch, headroom extension circuitry, auto reverse....