Denon Cassette Decks

Even though recordable CDs have made a big impact on consumers, the audiocassette will continue to be popular for a long time. The Denon DRM-555 is a single-deck unit that lets you record from external sources and plays back the fruits of your labor. The Denon is just a two-head model, but its features should provide enough record and playback quality. Tape transport is full-logic, using two motors for better control and a bias control that adjusts tape tension for the best results. The machine's wow & flutter is rated at 0.08 percent, which ain't bad. The DRM-555's Dolby B/C noise reduction cuts way down on the noise that is inherent in audiotape, though it lacks the newer Dolby S. Dolby HX Pro headroom extension is another sound enhancing feature, which extends the frequency range that gets recorded onto the tape in the first place. The MPX filter can be switched off. Ease of use is enhanced via the unit's remote control and the various extra functions. Auto reverse (nothing new, but nice) removes the headache of manually flipping tapes. Memory stop and CD Synchro make it easier to time starts and stops. The music search function lets you zip through at high speed until you find something other than blank space.--NW