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Cassette Recording Issues

Angry Possum

Angry Possum

Well-Known Member
I have a problem when recording vinyl to my cassette deck. I have a Denon DRM 740 deck. When recording, one side is extremely lower than the other. Any options as to how i can correct it perhaps. Did any one here on the forum have this problem.And is there a possible fix. Its frustrating. I tried cleaning heads on deck. Still no good. Should i try a demagnitizer? Buy better RCA cables maybe.
 
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Try the obvious first. Swap the cables and see if the problem follows the cable. If not, then try to use another source. Different tape maybe? If the problem persists on the same channel, then it is definitely the tape deck.

Do the VU meters show low signal in one of the channels when recording?
 
drabina said:
Try the obvious first. Swap the cables and see if the problem follows the cable. If not, then try to use another source. Different tape maybe? If the problem persists on the same channel, then it is definitely the tape deck.

Do the VU meters show low signal in one of the channels when recording?
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Thanks. Yes i tried different tapes. Same problem. Gonna try cables next.
 
Try the cables. Also, depending on your setup, you may have a problem with phono preamp. Does a regular playback of vinyl sound good thru speakers?
 
drabina said:
Try the cables. Also, depending on your setup, you may have a problem with phono preamp. Does a regular playback of vinyl sound good thru speakers?
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Yes Thanks....Through further testing it does seem like the preamp in the receiver is the culprit. When i just play straight from turntable to speakers there is a weaker side....Question is can the turntable be the issue? I dont think so...And I hope not. I have a near mint SL1200 mk2.
 
The cables on my turn table are of high quality so i think its the preamp. Q. Is there a way i can purchase a seperate phono amp and bypass the one on my receiver? Instead of purchasing another receiver? Its an old 80s Onkyo.
 
Yes, you can get external phono preamp but I would definitely make sure that the preamp is the issue. High end cables may go bad as well. Again, if it is a preamp, then the playback should also be distorted.
 
Thanks... And any suggestions on a good phono preamp? And do i run external preamp into say the cd channel etc when i hook it up?
 
Before i purchase a preamp I do have another turntable i can try first to see if its not my SL1200 being the culprit or the cables......Gonna try it now. Thanks again. Ill keep u posted. Appreciate the help.
 
Its my turntable...My old one works fine. May have to replace cable's on the sl1200 or replace pc board. Hope its an easy fix.
 
Angry Possum said:
Its my turntable...My old one works fine. May have to replace cable's on the sl1200 or replace pc board. Hope its an easy fix.
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Try wiggling the RCA cables and see if it helps. Also, you can try swapping cartridge from the working turntable to make sure that it is not the cartridge.
 
drabina said:
Try wiggling the RCA cables and see if it helps. Also, you can try swapping cartridge from the working turntable to make sure that it is not the cartridge.
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Tried wiggling cables. Still the same. The channel is getting slightly louder. I also tried cleaning the connections to the cart and head shell terminals. Gonna try and swap out cartridge. Thanks a million....
 
You have to start eliminating things. Put one replacement item in use and see if the problem persists. If yes, then move to the next one until you are sure which item in your chain causes the signal to drop.

It could also be a dirty pot or RCA plug needs to be cleaned. Had an Onkyo recently that had all electronics in working condition but the RCA in the back was so dirty that sound was cutting in and out. Little Deoxit and few turns of RCA plug fixed the issue. But if you are sure that this is not a cable issue, then it may be electronics.
 
Thanks... Appreciate it...Yes Did everything possible. One of the rca wires connected to the inside of the TT (Circuit Board) seems guilty at the moment. Is there a way to test the rca cables that are connected internally to TT to see if there's a difference in current perhaps.? Or just test the rca cables for a reading.
 
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