Evaluate how well a Cassette Deck meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a cassette deck and you've learned about the different features of cassette decks. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of cassette deck - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the cassette decks available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed cassette decks to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Cassette Deck meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available cassette decks in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any that clearly exceed your price limit.
Choosing a cassette deck is a fairly simple process. The first decision you need to make is whether you would like a single deck or a double/dual deck. If you only want to listen to tapes, choose a single deck.
Choosing a double/dual deck not only allows you to make and record your own tapes, but also allows for extended playing time, because most double decks will automatically switch from Deck A to Deck B as soon as Deck A is finished playing.
Tip:
Be sure your double deck includes the auto play and relay play feature for extended playing time. It includes automatically switching to the other side of the tape and to the second tape if you have a double deck.
The difference in cost between low-end and high-end cassette decks is minimal, so if you plan on recording as well as playing, consider more specialized features.
For the highest quality sound when listening and recording you will want to look at the noise reduction options. This feature usually starts with the word 'Dolby' and S and HX Pro are the best. S and HX Pro usually come together.
In addition, you may want manual control of the pitch. The pitch is important when determining the speed of the playback of your music. For example, with manual control, you can increase the speed of your favorite music to make it faster when dancing or exercising. With automatic pitch control, you will most likely get an average listening experience and you may not get the quality or speed that you want.
Tip:
Be sure and look for music search, intro-scan and record-muting. These three features combined can make your search for a song on a tape almost as convenient as on a CD.
If you are not an expert in recording, consider the best technology in automatic adjustment. Compu Calibration, CompuLink and DDRP combined allow for automatic adjustments to bias, equalization and sensitivity for each separate recording. This feature works in 20 seconds or less and will give you the best quality sound without manual adjustments.
Tip:
Wow & Flutter should always be less than 1%. Watch out for low-end decks that do not meet this standard requirement. Wow & Flutter refers to the stability of speed fluctuations during the playback of your tapes.
It's very important to consider purchasing a deck with A1II connections. These connections allow you to couple your cassette deck with a receiver, a CD player, a DVD player, an MP3 player and/or minidisc player. A1II connections give you the ability to record audio from already-owned CD's and even DVD movies. If this feature interests you, look for the most A1II connections possible to make it more convenient for you to add your cassette deck to your entire home audio system.
Tip:
The synchro-start feature allows you to listen to other tapes while you are working on your recording jobs.
When you were considering your requirements in a cassette deck it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as single or dual deck, playback sound, size and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various cassette decks meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Types
Size
- Width - 16 to 17 inches (41 to 43cm)
- Height - 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15cm)
- Depth - 11 to 15 inches (28 to 38cm)
Audio Playback/Noise Reduction Options
- Dolby B - reduces hiss by 8 to 10 dB
- Dolby C - reduces hiss by 15 to 18 dB
- Dolby S - reduces hiss by up to 25 dB
- Dolby HX Pro - works with Dolby B, C and S to further improve the sound quality of your cassettes.
Playback Features
- Auto-reverse play - automatically switches to the other side of the tape.
- Pitch control - let's you adjust the music's playback speed +/- 30.
- Relay play - on a dual deck, this feature automatically switches from one tape to another.
- Multiple music search - allows you to skip ahead to the song you want to hear.
- Full logic control and transport - refers to the easy use of the control panel (i.e. when you press fast forward, your system will fast forward, regardless of which side of the tape you are on).
- Synchro-start - plays music at the same time you are recording.
- Intro-scan - this feature searches for songs, plays 15 seconds, then continues searching, allowing you to more quickly find your favorite tunes.
- Wow & Flutter should always be less than 1%.
Recording Features
- Auto-reverse record
- Relay record
- Parallel record
- High-speed vs. normal dubbing
- CD Synchro dubbing - high-quality CD to cassette recording.
- Record muting - allows for the insertion of 4 seconds of blank space between each song. This is important for the music search function to work properly.
Best Technology for Recording
- Compu Calibration
- JVC Enhanced CompuLink
- Dynamics Detection Recording Processor
Number of Heads
Connections
- Headphone input
- Microphone and microphone mix input - allows for mixing in a microphone while recording.
- A1II inputs - allows for compatibility with receivers, CD players, MiniDisc players and other cassette decks.
- Play output
- Record input
- Remote control input
Bias - important when controlling high-frequency sounds
- Automatic vs. Manual - most decks bias controls will be automatic. For more control and higher quality, choose a deck in which you control the bias yourself.
Accessories
- Patch cords, headphones, remote control, surge protector, microphone
Types of Tapes
- Normal - use for jobs that don't require high quality - lectures, interviews, etc.
- Chrome - most commonly used.
- Metal - were created in an attempt to match the quality of sound on a CD.
Customer Care
- Warranties (parts and labor) - 1 to 3 years with optional Extended Service Plans.
Cleaning your Cassette Deck
- Cotton swabs
- Specialized cleaning cassettes
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your cassette deck needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require.
Once you have finished evaluating the cassette decks available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the cassette decks one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Cassette Deck compares with competing Cassette Decks
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of cassette decks that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of cassette decks.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which cassette deck on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these cassette decks best meet my needs?
Which has the best warranty?
Which is the easiest to use?
Which appears to be of the highest quality?
Which is the easiest to use and connect with my other devices?
Which cassette deck do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating cassette decks that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the cassette deck, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the cassette deck is put together. Check the assembly - is the cassette deck solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the cassette deck from the perspective of ease of use. Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the cassette deck is user-friendly - some cassette deck look great in the store, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labeled
- Cleaning and maintenance - how easy is it to clean
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you do not clean the heads as recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor, Mechanical, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are really necessary, and whether these can be included with the purchase. What other accessories are required - do you need headphones, for instance? What about a service plan?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to get the most out of your cassette deck?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of cassette decks that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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