JVC KD-A33 cassette tape deck

Metal-compatible cassette deck

If you've found that an affordable price usually means a sacrifice of performance, take heart. The JVC KD-A33 metal compatible cassette deck includes much of the technology found in our most expensive decks. Yet it happens to be one of our least expensive decks.

For example, it uses Sen-Alloy heads. These JVC-developed heads handle tremendously high currents with ease, so they're especially well  suited for recording and erasing metal tape. And SA's superb electromagnetic and physical properties give you accurate frequency balance, superb extension and low distortion through years of use.

When you use metal tape with the KD-A33, you'll get all the performance you expect from metal . But when your budget  dictates using a less expensive ferric-oxide tape, you can still get metal-like sound thanks to another JVC development - Super ANRS.

In recording, Super ANRE reduces the level of high-frequency signals so the tape can handle them without, saturating, in playback, it boosts them back to their original level. As a result, sounds like cymbal crashes, trumpet blast, and spoken sibilants (normally the downfall of cassette recording) are reproduced with astonishing clarity and fidelity to the original

 

 

 

And like our most expensive decks, the KD-A33 has logic-governed solenoid transport controls. You can switch directly between modes, even from "rewind" to "fast forward" with just a light touch of a switch. The KD-A33 also has provisions for adding a timer device and optional remote control.

Specifications

Type:  Stereo cassette deck

Track System:  4-track, 2-channel

Tape Speed:  4,8 cm/s (1-7/8 inch/sec)

Frequency Response (0 VU Recording)

Metal Tape :  30 - 12,500 Hz (±3 dB)

SA/CrO₂ Tape :  30 - 8,000 Hz (±3 dB)

SF/Normal Tape :  30 - 8,000 Hz (±3 dB)

Frequency Response (-20 VU Recording)

Metal Tape :  20 - 18,000 Hz [30-16,000 Hz ±3 dB]

SA/CrO₂ Tape :  20 - 18,000 Hz  [30-16,000 Hz ±3 dB]

SF/Normal Tape :  20 - 17,000 Hz  [30-16,000 Hz ±3 dB]

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (from peak level, weighted, Metal Tape) :  60 dB

The Signal-to-Noise Ratio is improved by 5 dB at 1 kHz and by 10 dB above 5 kHz with ANRS on

(DIN  45 500 weighted)

Effect of Super ANRS (Normal Tape)

Improvement of S/N :  the same as with ANRS

Improvement of Frequency Response :

0 VU Recording :  6 dB at 10 kHz

+5 VU Recording :  12 dB at 10 kHz

Improvement of Distortion :

0 VU Recording :  3% or less at 10 kHz

+5 VU Recording :  2% or less at 10 kHz

Wow and Flutter:0,04% (WRMS); 0,14% (DIN  45 500)

Crosstalk:  65 dB (1 kHz)

Harmonic Distortion :  K3; 0,4$ T.H.D.; 1,0% (metal Tape , 1 kHz 0 VU)

Bias :  AC Bias

Erasure :  AC erasure (85 kHz)

Heads:  2 heads; Sen Alloy head for recording/playback and 2-gap Sen Alloy head for erasure

Motors : 

Capstan :  Electronic Gaverned DC motor

Reel :  DC motor

Fast Forward Time :  85 sec. With C-60 cassette

Rewind Time :  85 sec. With C-60 cassette

Semiconductors:  7 ICs; 57 Transistors; 31 Diodes

Input Sensitivity/Impedance

Mic Jack x 2 :  0,2 mV (max.)-72 dBs/ 600 Ω  - 10 K Ω  (matching impedance

Line Input x 2 :  80 mV (-20 dBs)/100 K Ω

Output Level/Impedance

Line x 2 :  300 mV/5 ko hm

Phones x 1 :  0,3 mW/ 8 Ω  - 1 k Ω

DIN Socket: 

Input Level :  0,1 mV/k Ω

Input Impedance :  10 K Ω

Output Level :  300 mV (8 Ω )

Output Impedance :  5,5 k Ω

Matching Impedance :  50 K Ω  or more

Power Supply:  AC 240/220/120 V, 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  21 W

Dimensions (W x H x D):420 x 120 x 300 mm (16-1/2: x 4-3/4" x 11-7/8")

Weight:  6,7 kg (14,7 lbs)