Technics RS-M231X cassette deck

Technics presents a stereo cassette deck with a rare combination; 3 major noise reduction systems, and a low price. In addition to the RS-M231X's Dolby B and C noise reduction circuitry is dbx, which doesn't just reduce background tape noise but eliminates it. We've also furnished the RS-M231X with soft-touch transport keys, a metal compatible MX head, and convenient  slider controls for input level and balance adjustment.

dbx, Dolby B and Dolby C

The most effective of the deck's noise reduction systems is dbx, which eliminates tape noise and gives your tape the ability to reproduce up to a 110 dB difference in volume levels (or dynamic range) of a live performance, dbx reduces noise by at least 30 dB, pushing tape hiss below audibility, and increases headroom by about 10 dB so the tape can accept loud music signals without distorting them. The result is concert-like realism.

The RS-M231X is also equipped with a dbx disc decoder, so you can experience the same live-performance excitement from the ever-increasing number of dbx-encoded LPs as you do from dbx-encoded tapes.

Dolby B, the noise reduction system used in many cassette decks and prerecorded tapes, and Dolby C, an improved version of Dolby B, both reduce tape noise, especially in the high frequency range, where tape hiss is most noticeable.

Soft-Touch Controls

The soft-touch controls, which require only a light touch to operate, boast an impressive array of convenience features. Mechanical logic allows you to switch from fast forward or rewind directly to play, without having to touch the "stop" key. For recording, just touch the "record" key instead of "record" and "play". And rewind auto-play begins playback automatically after the tape rewinds to the beginning. The deck also includes cue and review functions, and timer record/playback capability.

Input Level and Balance Slider Controls

The deck's dual slider system provides optimum precision in setting recording levels. For most recording, the master input level slider suffices adjusting both the left and right channels together. For such demanding situations as live recording, where microphones are used, the balance slider adjusts left/right channel balance.

Metal Compatible MX Head

Specially developed for metal tape compatibility, Technics' MX head handles metal tape's high signal and bias level requirements and provides smooth frequency response and wide dynamic range. Of course, this improves the performance of normal and CrO₂ tapes as well.

Other Features:

DC servo motor

Automatic mic/line input selector

Large illuminated level meters

Timer record/playback capability

Oil-damped cassette well door removable for easy maintenance.

Specifications

Track System:  4-track,2-channel stereo recording and playback

Tape Speed:  4,8 cm/s (1-7/8 ips)

Wow and Flutter:  0,048% WRMS

Frequency Response

Metal Tape :  20 - 19,000 Hz; 50 - 17,000 Hz (±3 dB)

CrO₂ Tape :  20 - 18,000 Hz ; 50 - 16,000 Hz (±3 dB)

Normal Tape :  20 - 17,000 Hz ; 50 - 15,000 Hz (±3 dB)

Dynamic Range:  110 dB (at 1 kHz, CrO₂) with dbx in

Max. Input Level Improvement:  10 dB or more with dbx in (at 1 kHz)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

dbx In :  92 dB

Dolby C NR In  :  75 dB (CCIR)

Dolby B NR In  :  67 dB (CCIR)

NR Out  :  57 dB

Fast Forward and Rewind Time:  approx. 90 sec. C-60 tape

Input Sensitivity/Impedance:

Mic :  0,25 mV, applicable mic. Impedance 400 Ω  - 10 k Ω

Line :  60 mV/more than 47 k Ω

Output Level?Impedance:

Line :  400 mv/1,5 k Ω  or less

Headphones :  80 mv (at 8 Ω ), applicable headphone impedance 8 Ω  - 600 Ω

Bias Frequency:  80 kHz

Motor:  DC servo motor

Heads:  2-head system

MX head for record/playback

Double Gap Ferrite Head for erasure

Power Requirements:  AC 120 V, 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  16 W

Dimensions (W x H x D):  430 x 109 x 235 mm (16-7/8" x 4-5/16" x 9-1/4")

Weight:  4,4 kg (9 lbs 11 oz)