From: nflack@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Nigel R Flack)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Yamaha tape decks.  Also low-budget recommendations.
Date: 13 Nov 92 03:39:39 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Pennsylvania


Just in case anyone is interested:

     I only recently got into stereo systems.  About two years ago actually,
when my parents gave me a discman ( why? :) ) for Christmas, and so I 
figured, Gee, Now I have a CD player, why not buy a *real* receiver so
I can listen to my CD's through speakers.  (I had an old Fisher 1-piece
Stereo Thing, that I tried to add a new input to, but figured it wasn't
worth it.)  
 
     So anyway, I had a large collection of tapes, but no tape deck to
listen to them on.  This summer, when I finally had enough money to buy
a tape deck, I went looking.  After searching, I settled on the Yamaha
KX-250.  I'm not sure if this is the same deck as the previous poster
mentioned, but it's close (he said KX-260).  He also mentioned that
Yamaha makes a similar, but less expensive model...  the KX-150.

     Just to clarify something, the KX-150 not only doesn't have music
search, it's also not remote compatible, AND... there's no HX-Pro.  I think
that HX-Pro is absolutely necessary if you want a lower-end deck to do
recording on.  I am *EXTREMELY* pleased with my Yamaha tape deck considering
the money I spent.  It makes excellent recordings (although I virtually 
never use anything but Type IV).  To be honest, I have a hard time telling
the copy from the original CD source, until to raise the volume to hear the
noise floor.  Then again, since my CD player sucks, that's not so surprising
 
:)

     My Yamaha KX-250 BLOWS AWAY!!!!  my room-mates JVC deck (don't know the
model #) which cost about double.  (Dual-well, no HX-Pro)  We did some
A-B'ing, and there was no comparison at either end of the frequency spectrum
More bass, WAY more treble, (but again, that's due to HX-Pro)

     Anyway, another word of caution - Dolby C, and specs.

     My deck is spec'd at S/N > 74 db Dolby C, and my room-mates is > 78.
However, they achieve this by over-compressing (or something.)  You can 
hear the treble very distinctly pumpimg, it's REALLY annoying.  Mine is
absolutely smooth, at least as far as is revealed by my system.

     So anyway, for all you folks who have ACTUALLY READ THIS FAR...  I guess
I may as well include my recommendations for cheap, good sound.

     Receiver - most.  I have a Sansui RX-7000.  70 WPC, lots of headroom,
                disappointing S/N.  (90 db line-level).  Overall, very good.
                Has a MASSIVE power supply and heat sink.  (My father was
                trying to talk me into saving $50 and buying a Magnavox
                60 WPC.  Weighed about 1/2 - handled NO current.)

    Tape Deck - I am very happy with my Yamaha.  The only thing I would say
                came close was a similarly-priced Denon.  Then again, seeing
                so many people say they co-market there CD-players (if that's
                the expression) maybe they do the same with their tape decks.

    CD Player - DON'T DON'T DON'T buy a SONY.  I have yet to hear one, even
                a full-size player, including ES, that sounds good.
                (BTW, I'm in the middle of purchasing a used Rotel-855 :) )

     Speakers - Very much depends on your tastes.  I bought Advent Legacy II's
                about 6 weeks ago, and am *AMAZED* so far.  Considering that
                I paid $300 for the pair, they go *really* low, *really* clean
                and are *extremely* smooth.  Plus they look nice.  If you want
                a speaker with good dynamic range, good frequency response,
                and actually have surprisingly wide yet precise imaging - 
                I absolutly don't think these can be beat.

     Sorry about the length, and please, no flames about my stuff based on
price.  Don't waste my time, or the net's.  If you have a comment about 
things in the same price range - I'd love to hear it, and if you don't care
about this stuff - you won't still be reading this :).

     BTW - Can we please stop flaming each other over the MONETARY value
of our components.  Sure, a lot of us can't afford $2500 speakers.  So accept
that.  Don't bitch because some people can.  Besides, if you're in college,
one would at least hope that someday you will be able to.  I sure as hell
hope I will  :)

Yet another guys $.02.

Nigel Flack
University of Pennsylvania.       Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
What a thrill.  What is an Applied Mechanic?  An engineer looking for a job?
Newsgroups: rec.audio