A SHARP Idea - Sharp RD 426U Vintage AM Radio Cassette

[Lachlant1984]

I used to have a Panasonic machine a bit like this one, the major difference with my machine was that it had a knob for the tape deck functions, not the piano key type buttons on it. I really like this machine, what a shame it's DC Bias. I'm sure if you move the microphone as far away from the machine as you can, you won't have any issues with motor noise etc.

[clydesight]

@Lachlant1984 Thank for your comment. I've seen quite a few Panasonic radio-cassette recorders, some of them are quite good.

Yes, moving the mic away from the machine will reduce it picking up some motor noise, good tip! Thanks

[vieuxson]

nice sharp recorder ,yesterday a friend give me a old sharp stereo system

[CassetteMaster]

Are you sure this is DC bias? There doesn't seem to be any of that DC bias background noise noticeable. (some AC bias machines will have a little "DC bias S" occasionally). It sounds too good to be DC bias! Please see if the cassette recorder circuit board has the bias coil or not.(not the radio board).

[clydesight]

I can understand your confusion because of the nice sound of this machine. I did check that amp board (not the radio board, which is separate) and I couldn't find ANY AC bias coil. Also, it uses a magnet for an erase head, a common practice in DC bias machines. I do believe that the quality of other components can affect the sound, so really cheap DC bias machines are notoriously "Ssss y", and a poor quality AC bias machine can also be noisy. I have noticed both issues.

[thecrystalcauldron]

I enjoyed the video and I thought the music sounded very good through the machine. Well done.

[clydesight]

Thanks, the sound of the machine does have an oddly attractive quality to it, though it isn't that wide ranged. Still, it is what it is, and it works!

[CassetteMaster]

That's a very nice recorder! Too bad it's DC bias, but, there seems to be surprisingly little background DC bias noise! The sounds seems pretty good, and the machine looks really cool. Also funny, it's only AM. I have a Passport radio-cassette recorder that is also AM only and DC bias, and it has manual level and a little meter.

[clydesight]

Thanks. The DC bias and amp are a tad bit better than I have heard on other machines, I have to admit. The auto level seems to work pretty well on this one.

[oviwolf]

NEAT little recorder,i like it's design!

Very good job on making it work so good,super!

[clydesight]

Thanks! It's a pretty standard design as these things go, but a bit unusual that they only put in an AM radio, not AM/FM. SHARP had some pretty interesting machines.

[BadEditPro]

Neat little machine... We balk at the three inch speaker now but I can't tell you how many hours I spent as a kid listening to the radio or tapes through those little things. Thanks for posting this...

[clydesight]

Thanks. I used to listen to AM radio as a kid too, this sound brings me back to that time.

[ForgetfulCollector]

That truly is a sharp machine (pun intended)!

Very nice!

[clydesight]

Thanks, puns are ALWAYS appreciated!