Very nice, basic function, Rotel cassette player/recorder with the high performance that is expected from Rotel equipment
I usually listen to all the cassette tapes I advertise on either Tascam, Sony or Nakamichi equipment but while testing this cassette player (on both playback and record) I was very impressed by the performance of the transport and audio quality.
I hear you ... why on earth would someone want to listen to tape, let alone cassettes!
A lot of material (music and spoken word) was commonly recorded to tape and remains only on tape. I am talking about band demo's, 4-track rehearsal tapes, even bootlegs at gigs! and some tape material simply never made it to other media for various reasons.
Spoken word is also commonly found on tape, those old family history recordings are a prime example.
Lastly, cassette tape is ANALOG audio - none of this digital processing which can suck the life out of recordings. Even today, major studio's will revert to putting their client's studio recordings through an analog tape machine to "soften it up", make the sound not quite so "edgy" Analog tape goes with the flow, digital is black and white, on or off and no inbetweens.
ROTEL Cassette Player/Recorder
Model: RD-960BX
Released to market late 1990's
240V 50Hz Australian model
Single cassette
NON auto reverse (when it gets to the end of each side, it just quietly stops and waits for you to "turn over the tape"
Jet Black case
Blue/Green fluorescent display
Digital tape counter
Lift off front door cover for easy head & transport cleaning
NO REMOTE IS SUPPLIED - the original is called a RR-926 (expensive) or there may be compatible copies to be found as well (but really, you need to get up and flip the tape over anyway, just use the front panel buttons)
SPECIFICATIONS:
2 Head (Erase & Playback/Record)
3 tape types: Type I (Normal), CrO2 & Metal
Dolby Noise Reduction: Type B or C
HX Pro processing built in
Frequency Response (best expected) Metal tape 30Hz ~ 18KHz (3dB points)
Signal to Noise (Set for Dolby C) 74dB
Wow & Flutter: 0.035% maximum
Total Harmonic Distortion (Maximum) 0.9%
Dimensions: 440mm x 121mm x 329mm deep
Weight (unpacked): 6Kg
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Very clean and almost completely unmarked - any marks or scratches tend to be on the top of the case and are very light
All front panel labelling is clear and unworn
No missing buttons
Display is bright and easy to read in all lighting conditions
Drop down cassette door operation is smooth and easy
TESTING:
Since this is yet another piece of equipment from our storage units, I took it out a couple of days ago and ran it through its paces.
Fast Forward & Rewind operate smoothly, fast with no issues
Play operates fine
I actually noticed the tape transport system is very quiet in operation and "positive" no hesitation or signs of belt stresses.
Unlike many other cassette decks, when the end of tape travel is reached there is not that loud clunk as the transport disengages. This machine just stops without all the loud noises. It's like the difference between the sound of a Holden door closing and a Merc, world's apart!
Front panel automatically indicates the type of cassette formulation of the inserted tape
Audio output on playback is balanced between the two channels
Heads visually inspected, very clean and show very little wear at all - cleaned
Pinch roller is in great condition - cleaned
Demagnetised the heads
I have been "test playing" a number of cassette tapes (which I have or will be advertising separately) and these range from classic rock, blues to pop but I also played quite a bit of classical music, particularly with piano as this is one of the best tests for "pure notes" that sound realistic. All good, not as good as my Nakamichi but very good all the same.
NOTE: As a matter of normal maintenance, ALL tape transports should be cleaned around every 50 hours of operation and also the occasional head demagnetising as the normal use of the machine can create magnetism build up on the heads with the result of lowered high frequency response.
Audio comments: very nice, clean bright audio - up there with the best (my test tapes are Normal Type 1), very impressive although still not as good as the Nakamichi Dragon!
I then took source material (CD & Tuner) and recorded this to CrO2 tape - no issues at all, full level adjustments working fine and recorded audio was very good. Note that the input level control is concentric, looks like one knob but it has two sections, one section controls the Left and the other section the Right. I didn't like this much, two separate knobs would have been better to use but then, its been a long long time since I have moved material onto cassette tape!
I invite anyone who is seriously interested in this Rotel to read the online comments from users, in general they LOVE their RD-960BX machines - with perhaps the main "downside" being that it is not an auto reverse model (lazy sods!)
