The Bush KCS-317 cassette recorder/player is a recent, budget, device for playing, and recording, audio cassette tapes. I picked it up during lockdown when I wanted to digitise old tapes I'd found, but discovered that my existing players were no longer functional. If I recall correctly I had exactly two options; a portable player, or this one, which I chose for the mains power plug. It has a bunch of other features, like playing from usb sticks, none of which I'd needed. But the sound quality was never good.
I recently fell down the Steve's Electronic Repair Shop rabbit-hole, and the
'Cassette Tape Player. How it works and how to repair.' video in particular emboldened me to sort out that player. So I found a
speed calibration test tape which has 15mins of 3,000Hz sine wave (actually 3,010-3,020Hz), and
instructions on how to use it. The tape showed the player to be running fast, and as if I needed more encouragement, the buttons, the big chunky physical plastic buttons got stuck in play. It had to be opened up.
(I couldn't find any photos, or manuals, online for this player, so I'm including more than is necessary here in case anyone ever needs them.)
( Details )With the top case removed I could plug in the player, play the speed test tape, and ever so gently adjust the motor speed with immediate feedback. It is a horrible sound, but a very effective test. After I got the frequency to between 3,010-3,020Hz I closed it back up properly, and tested it with a well known tape. The in-built speaker is not good. The in-built microphone is not good. Considering it has a mono tape head, and doesn't have Dolby Noise Reduction, there is a limit to what I can expect from this player. But with the correct speed setting it sounds okay, on headphones at least.
Adjusting the motor speed
Photo by ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chebe
