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From: oleg@birtch.UUCP (Oleg Kiselev )
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Portable Cassette Players?
Message-ID: <176@birtch.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-Oct-85 17:22:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: birtch.176
Posted: Thu Oct 10 17:22:26 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 14-Oct-85 04:23:23 EDT
References: <43200003@hpfcms.UUCP> <1161@wanginst.UUCP>
Organization: Birtcher, Santa Ana, Ca.
Lines: 54

>>
>>I'm in the market for a personal (portable) cassette player (of the "walkman"
>>type).  I would use the player at work, and probably on the ski slopes
>>occasionally.  I'm after durability and, of course, GOOD SOUND!  What are your
>>recommendations?
> 
>                I bought  an AIWA  HS-J400 AM/FM  Stereo  Cassette
>           Recorder ($129.95 at 47st Photo 1-800-221-7774).  It is
>           slightly bigger than a cassette tape with a  tremendous
>           sound!   I also  bought AIWA's  speakers (w/  built  in
>           amps).  They  sound a  little tinny, but  for $65  they
>           aren't bad.
> 
>                The nice thing about the AIWA deck is the size and
>           the sound.  I  think you'll find it  to be well  built,
>           and competetively priced.  I love it!  Good luck...

I have AIWA HS-J400 as well. It is demonstrably better than many othe brands,
BUT....
	1) The vinil outer casing is *cheap*.
	2) The headphone quality is not the best.
	3) Reception is not so hot either.
	4) Recording mode works in one direction only (i.e. Auto-Reverse
	   recording is  impossible)
	5) Noise reduction ( Dolby B) works only on playback.
	6) same as (5) goes for CrO2 switch
	7) the automatic level adjustment in recording mode can not be disabled.
	8) the battery compartment door is of very flimsy design.

WHY did I buy it? Because I used to have AIWA HS-J02 and (until it suffered a
tragic accident) absolutely loved it. It had separate volume controls for
both output chanels, better tuner, better headphones, an external battery pack
that came with it( it could house 2 size C or 6 size AA batteries -- a very
clever design), better battery compartment design and a better outer vinil case.

Never the less, the playback specs on J400 are better than on J02. The battery
pack ( 'though different color) works just fine with it. If you can get HS-J400
for under $130.00 it's not a bad buy. If you find HS-J02 for under $60-$80,
which *is* possible - it's been discontinued a while ago, I think it would be 
a great bargain and preferable to 2x price for J400. 

-- 
-----------------------------------+ With deep indifference,
"I disbelieve an army of invisible |                       Oleg Kiselev.
 mind-flayers!"                    | DISCLAIMER:
"OK. They are *still* not there."  | I don't know what I am talking about and 
-----------------------------------+ therefore am not responsible for any
                                     damages to people who take me seriously!
...!trwrb!felix!birtch!oleg          
...!{ihnp4|randvax}!ucla-cs!uclapic!oac6!oleg


Nothing I ever say reflects the views or opinions of my employers.
They knew who they hired though!