HTadvice.com: On Setup: Components: Tape Decks

Tape Decks

The venerable tape deck has been around for years, and is still the most used audio recording device for consumers. MiniDisc players/recorders have just started to build up momentum, and still have a long way to go before taking over the tape decks role. While a new tape deck may not be the best thing to buy, you can't ignore the heavy usage the format still receives despite it's many limitations. Connecting one to your system is very simple, and most people have had to do it some time or another.

The Alternative
MiniDisc (MD) offers a lot better sound and recordability over tape decks. The format hasn't hit too big in America, but you can still purchase decks online, and they're big in Japan. So as long as Japan is interested, you should have no problem purchasing MD items online.

Another way to go is the recordable CD. CD writers offer only linear, one time edits, but the media is so cheap (about $1 a CD) that's hard to care if you make a mistake and mess a disc up. Pass on a CD deck for your system and instead get one for your computer. It can make audio CDs the same as any deck, plus it can write computer data as well.

It's All About The Loop.
Looping the tape deck allows you to record from any source the receiver has going into it. Connect the right / left outputs from the tape deck to the right / left inputs on the receiver's "Tape 1" input. Then take the right / left "Tape 1" outputs from the receiver to the right / left inputs on your tape deck. The completes the loop and allows you to record from all you audio sources.

Note: the name of the tape deck connections may differ among different receivers.

Tape Deck Connections Summary:

left and right audio loop from the receiver