QuestionPlease explain what you mean by a tape loop. MMy first reaction takes me back to my open-reel days when tape and loop were literal. Are we talking about another imput jack?
Many Thanks,
Cliff Smales
P.S. From here, you're on vacation. Many Thanks.-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I've made a copy of the system that I found in the radio shack catalog. jI'm going to send it for your examination.
I can't help thinking, though, that I'll need a bit more wattage for the applications that we've discussed: Adding a turntable and a CD recorder.
Many thanks for your help,
Cliff Smales
Panasonic® 140W* 5-CD, AM/FM Cassette Stereo Music System
Table with 2 columns and 2 rows
$199.99
Brand: Panasonic
Catalog #: 13-1328
Model: SC-PM29
table end
Save $49.99 after mail-in rebate!
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Stylish 5-CD, AM/FM/cassette deck system is compatible with multiple playback formats. The system wakes you up or turns itself off, plus much more. It has
automatic sound quality adjustment, an equalizer and storage for AM/FM stations of your choice. Twin, 2-way speakers with tweeter and woofer reproduce
quality sound that you tune the way you like.
PRODUCT FEATURES
• 5-CD player for CDs, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA and HighMAT™ formats
• AM/FM stereo tuner stores up to 15 AM/15FM of your favorite stations for quick and easy access
• Wake up and go to sleep with your favorite music and stations–built-in clock timer and sleep timer
• Equalizer for your personal adjustment of the sound quality
• Cassette deck–4-track, 2-channel
• Twin stereo 2-way speakers with 35W per channel
• 140-watts of total system power
• Remote control
• System warranty: 1-year limited, parts and labor
• Speaker dimensions: 5.9x10.8x9.0" (14.9x27.4x22.8cm) (WHD)
Specifications
• Total bi-amp power: 70W per channel*
• 10% harmonic distortion
• FM tuner frequency range: 87.9-107.9MHz
• AM tuner frequency range: 530-1710kHz
• Cassette deck–fast-forward & rewind time approx. 120 seconds (C-60 tape)
• CD player frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Speakers–(woofer) 10cm cone; (tweeter) 6cm cone
• System power supply: 120VAC, 60Hz; 130W power consumption
Supplied accessories
• AC power supply cord
• FM indoor antenna
• AM loop antenna
• Remote control transmitter
• Two batteries
*140 watts total. 29W RMSx2, 3kHz-16kHz, 6 ohms, 10% THD, plus 26W RMSx2, 60Hz-3kHz, 6 ohms, 10% THD.
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Thursday, February 24, 2005 10:58:25 PM
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Followup To
Question -
Hello, again, Kevin:
First, let me thank you for your informative answer to my question about all-in-one stereo systems.
There is a Panasonic unit, about 150 wats, that Radio Shack offers. Are you familiar with that system? What are your thoughts on it?
I'd like to add a CD recorder to my evantually-purchased system. What bbrand do you advise? Something in the medium-price range, with good results.
Many Thanks,
Cliff Smales
Answer -
Dear Cliff,
Without a model number, it's difficult to say anything re the Panasonic unit. However, Panasonic is generally a reliable brand.
My CD recorder is a Philips CDR-770. It's a very reliable unit with which I've had no difficulties. A Google search turned up a couple of units for sale on line. There are a number of other models, which seem to be differentiated by the number of CDs they handle in a recording session. While I've not used any of the others, there's no reason so suspect that their performance would be any less than the CDR-770.
One caution about stand-alone CD recorders: you must use "music" CDR or CD-RW blank discs. They will not accept garden variety CDRs that you would use on a computer. Make sure that you get "music" CDRs--the packs are plainly labeled.
One other caution. A CD recorder functions like a cassette deck: you must have a "Tape in/tape out" capability (called a "tape loop") in the receiver you use, tho' now some are labeled "Recorder in/recorder out". Some Sony receivers have a mini-disc loop which will work with any kind of recorder. You need a tape loop if you're going to record anything but from a pre-recorded CD to a blank CDR, say an LP, a cassette tape, or the radio. That's how the receiver gets the input signal into the recording loop. However, if you're only going to record from a CD to a blank CDR, then the tape loop isn't necessary. In fact, connecting the recorder to your rig isn't even necessary since the recording is internal to the unit. (The CDR-770 has two trays: one for the source CD and one for the CDR you're recording to.)
Sounds like you're going to have some fun with your system. Great!
Kindest regards,
Kevin
Answer -
Dear Cliff,
Okay, you're asking for my opinion. So, here it is. The Panasonic SC-PM29 is a very attractive *micro* (i.e., desktop) unit, the power ratings for which--at least in the Radio Shack flack--are somewhat, er, skewed. Yes, the system will put out 140 watts *when it's biamped* (i.e., when you have *two* of them), but even the 35 watts it claims is not exactly true. Yes, it will probably put 35 watts into 4-ohm speakers, but Panasonic's web site is not clear, but only quotes a power rating for 6-ohm speakers, in which case it puts out only 29 watts-per-channel. My guess is that its speakers are 6-ohm speakers. There's nothing wrong with any of this, but I think you should know what you're buying.
The speakers' frequency response is 3kHz to 16kHz, which means that you will hear *no bass*. 3kHz is a fairly common crossover frequency where manufacturers pass the signal on to a woofer (in either 2-way/2-speaker or 3-way/3-speaker) systems. These speakers will fill a desk top or a cubicle with sound tipped toward the high frequencies, but if you're contemplating filling a room with sound, there is neither enough power nor sufficient frequency repsonse in the speakers to do so.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Japanese speakers are tuned to the very shrill high end of frequency response. They do not pretend to have bass or even a decent mid-range response--they're tuned for the oriental ear, which favors high frequencies. I don't know what kind of music you listen to, but think of an organ symphony without being able to hear the organ. I never recommend Japanese speakers.
I know the Panasonic unit is inexpensive, but you're going to get what you pay for.
Also, I'm not sure, but the specifications on Panasonic's web site make no mention of any extra/auxiliary inputs, much less an extra tape loop for the CD recorder. Generally, manufacturers hype anything included with the unit, and the lack of information would lead me to believe that it doesn't have the inputs to accomodate either a turntable or a CD recorder.
Have I suggested to you yet the Sony STR-DE497 receiver? It puts out 100 watts per channel (wpc) into 8 ohms (meaning even more into 6 and 4 ohms--the relationship is inverse) and costs $200 retail; less on the street (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.). It has a tape loop for your CD recorder. It does not have a PHONO input, but I think we've covered that: you'll need to connect your turntable to a phono preamp (the TCC TC-400 G/L at www.phonopreamps.com) unless you get a turntable with a built-in phono preamp (the Audio Technica PL-50 at www.needledoctor.com). You can get a couple of terrific speakers, PSB Alphas, (www.psbspeakers.com for dealers) for $200 +/- a pair.
Yes, I know this is probably more money than you were planning on, but the difference in sound quality for $400 (receiver + speakers) vs. $150 (for the Panasonic unit) would be profound--AND: you have inputs for your turntable and CD recorder, you'll get mid-bass and some deep bass (the least of the Alphas' frequency response is 100Hz to 20kHz), and the speakers will fill a moderately sized room with sound.
Cliff, at the very least, make sure that the Panasonic unit has an extra input for your turntable and a tape loop for your CD recorder. After that, it's your choice.
As always, feel free to write back with quesitons, etc.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
AnswerDear Cliff,
Oops, you caught me in jargon.
A "tape loop" is simply two sets of jacks, one input and one output, generally located on the rear panel of a receiver. In order to record something other than a CDR on your CD recorder, which we know can be done internally, you need to have the tape output on your receiver, so the receiver can route the outputted signal from the sound source (LP, cassette tape, radio, etc.) to the CD recorder. The input is so you can play back what you've recorded from your CD recorder--just like any other sound source is input. (A CD recorder is just like a tape recorder: it records and it plays.) Input. Output. Hence, a "loop".
You must have a tape loop on the receiver in order to record from sources other than a CD. No other circuit is designed to take the signal from an external sound source and route it to your recorder.
Yes, they're still labeled "tape" inputs and outputs, because until the last couple of years no one recorded on anything but cassette tape. However, they're electronically equivalent to the analog inputs and outputs on a CD recorder. I say "analog" because the CD recorder will also have digital outputs (optical or coaxial) which you can connect to the appropriate digital input on your receiver.
And, yes, that also means that you can use the analog "tape output" to record external devices and the digital connection for playback.
BTW, since you're getting a CD recorder, you don't need a CD player.
Don't worry about putting me on vacation. Feel free to ask any question any time. That's what I'm here for: to guide you to the excitement of sound excellence at the most reasonable cost.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
