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Yamaha KX-800U

140.80.199.91

Posted on December 23, 2016 at 08:42:48
3db
Audiophile

Posts: 1514
Joined: July 22, 2003

It sbeen a slow day today so I went hunting on the internet to see what price people are asking for a Yamaha KX-800U. I picked up my unit last fall for $50 Cdn and in great clean shape. I see it listed for around $250. How would you guys rate this particular model in terms of recording and playback capabilities?

 

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RE: Yamaha KX-800U, posted on December 26, 2016 at 16:01:10
Bry
Manufacturer

Posts: 5610
Location: S. Florida
Joined: July 21, 2005
I had one and thought it was really good at matching the sound of the source although I never put it directly up against another deck.

 

Nearly went for one of those., posted on December 28, 2016 at 07:12:09
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Then found a nice Yamaha KX-690.

I think the (internal) build is likely better on the 800, although the surface finish and contact points on the 690 are nice/adequate. That slider on the 800 is handy.


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Recorded the Violent Femmes using a Maxell Chrome tape, posted on January 12, 2017 at 04:35:37
3db
Audiophile

Posts: 1514
Joined: July 22, 2003
The source was a CD and I used the DBX noise reduction in record and playback. Color me impressed. Although the CD was ultimately better, I could not believe how close to the source this deck got in capturing the music.

 

Try recording some vinyl, posted on January 15, 2017 at 11:48:53
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
That's often an ear-opener.


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Try recording some vinyl, posted on January 18, 2017 at 11:08:48
3db
Audiophile

Posts: 1514
Joined: July 22, 2003

I recorded this album which is pressed on 180gm vinyl using dbx noise reduction and it also turned out very well. The album is better but again, I'm surprised how close to the original source this deck can achieve. I wish I had some spare metal cassettes.

 

RE: Try recording some vinyl, posted on January 19, 2017 at 03:15:39
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
It's very satisfying. There may still be some quantities of SONY XR60 tapes knocking about on the internet. IIRC, a source in France produced some NOS a few years ago. I got a bunch of them at the time, from a vendor in the US, https://www.totalmedia.com/index.html. They may be able to tell you if they have any more, or where to look for them.

There's a bunch of 10 on the 'Bay right now, for about US$70.



Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Try recording some vinyl, posted on January 31, 2017 at 20:25:04
Jet Mech
Audiophile

Posts: 28
Location: East Dundee Illinois
Joined: October 22, 2013
I have recently purchased a teac x-1000r 10" deck; I have ordered two ten and one half inch teac reels. So what is the advantage to having the larger ones opposed to the seven and one half inch ones besides just being able to get more tape on them. If it is just for more room these days it will be expensive to keep buying those large reels as these guys want a lot for them, or is it just a macho thing because they look so much cooler than the little ones.

 

The advantage is ..., posted on February 1, 2017 at 06:20:54
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11686
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
... that you get a decent amount of recording/playback time if you're using 15 ips as your playback speed, as many of us are.

 

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