TA-RW255_En.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
Contents
Before using
Important Safety Instructions .......... 2
Precautions ...................................... 3
Features ............................................ 4
Control positions and names ........... 4
System connections ......................... 5
Power connections ........................... 5
Stereo Cassette Tape Deck
TA-RW255
Operation
To play a tape .................................. 6
Reverse mode function .................... 7
Recording ........................................ 8
Making good sound recordings ....... 9
Tape dubbing ................................. 10
Useful recording functions ............ 11
Connecting Onkyo components for
z operation ............................... 12
Instruction Manual
Appendix
Handling cassette tapes .................. 13
Cassette deck maintenance ............ 14
Specifications ................................ 14
Troubleshooting guide ................... 15
Thank you for purchasing an Onkyo Stereo Cassette
Tape Deck. Please read this manual thoroughly before
making connections and plugging in the unit.
Following the instructions in this manual will enable you to
obtain optimum performance and listening enjoyment from
your new Stereo Cassette Tape Deck.
Please retain this manual for future reference.
En
TA-RW255_En.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
Precautions
1. Recording Copyright—Unless it’s for personal use only,
recording copyrighted material is illegal without the permis-
sion of the copyright holder.
• Low cost cassettes with no guide roller or pressure pad
spring should never be used for stereo.
• C-100–120 cassettes because the tape and the coating are
extremely thin, distortion levels are high. Also, even a
slight stretching of the tape will make it susceptible to
being caught up in the pinch roller and capstan.
• Endless tapes, if used for a long period of time, can over-
heat.
2. AC Fuse—The AC fuse inside the unit is not user-serviceable.
If you cannot turn on the unit, contact your Onkyo dealer.
3. Care—Occasionally you should dust the unit all over with a
soft cloth. For stubborn stains, use a soft cloth dampened with
a weak solution of mild detergent and water. Dry the unit
immediately afterwards with a clean cloth. Don’t use abrasive
cloths, thinners, alcohol, or other chemical solvents, because
they may damage the finish or remove the panel lettering.
9. Moisture Condensation
Moisture condensation may damage this unit.
Read the following carefully:
• Moisture condensation can occur in the following situa-
tions:
– The unit is moved from a cold place to a warm place.
– A heater is turned on, or cold air from an air conditioner
is hitting the unit.
– In the summer, when this unit is moved from an air con-
ditioned room to a hot and humid place.
– The unit is used in a humid place.
4. Power
WARNING
BEFORE PLUGGING IN THE UNIT FOR THE FIRST
TIME, READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION CAREFULLY.
AC outlet voltages vary from country to country. Make sure
that the voltage in your area meets the voltage requirements
printed on the unit’s rear panel (e.g., AC 230 V, 50 Hz or AC
120 V, 60 Hz).
• Do not use this unit when there’s the possibility of mois-
ture condensation occurring. Doing so may damage your
cassettes and certain parts inside this unit.
If condensation does occur, remove all cassettes and leave this
unit turned on for two to three hours. By this time, the unit will
have warmed up and any condensation will have evaporated.
Setting the [STANDBY/ON] switch to STANDBY does not
fully shutdown the unit. If you do not intend to use the unit for
an extended period, remove the power cord from the AC outlet.
5. Never Touch this Unit with Wet Hands—Never handle this
unit or its power cord while your hands are wet or damp. If
water or any other liquid gets inside this unit, have it checked
by your Onkyo dealer.
For British models
6. Handling Notes
• If you need to transport this unit, use the original packag-
ing to pack it how it was when you originally bought it.
• Do not leave rubber or plastic items on this unit for a long
time, because they may leave marks on the case.
• This unit’s top and rear panels may get warm after pro-
longed use. This is normal.
• If you do not use this unit for a long time, it may not work
properly the next time you turn it on, so be sure to use it
occasionally.
Replacement and mounting of an AC plug on the power supply
cord of this unit should be performed only by qualified service
personnel.
IMPORTANT
The wires in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the
following code:
Blue: Neutral
Brown: Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus
may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the
terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the termi-
nal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black.
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the ter-
minal which is marked with the letter L or coloured red.
• When you’ve finished using this unit, remove cassettes and
turn off the power.
7. Deck Location
• Do not use or leave in direct sunlight or in other places
subject to high temperature and humidity. The unit should
also not be left in potentially hot places such as near heat-
ing appliances. Excessive heat and moisture can lead to
internal damage and serious malfunctions (this also applies
to cassette tapes). The recommended ambient temperature
range is 5°C to 35°C.
• Avoid damp and dusty places and locations prone to vibra-
tions.
• Be extremely careful with the recording/playback heads.
Clean and demagnetize them regularly, but under no cir-
cumstances should magnets or other metals be used any-
where near the heads.
IMPORTANT
The plug is fitted with an appropriate fuse. If the fuse needs to be
replaced, the replacement fuse must approved by ASTA or BSI to
BS1362 and have the same ampere rating as that indicated on the
plug. Check for the ASTA mark or the BSI mark on the body of
the fuse.
If the power cord’s plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, cut
it off and fit a suitable plug. Fit a suitable fuse in the plug.
• This unit is extremely sensitive to magnetic fields, so do
not use near large speakers or other devices which generate
magnetic fields.
• Hum may even be induced by magnetic flux leakage from
the power transformer in certain amplifiers. Therefore, this
unit should also be kept clear of the amplifier.
• Do not remove the cabinet case. If any of the internal parts
are handled, there is a considerable danger of electric shock.
For Canadian Models
For models having a power cord with a polarized plug:
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH
WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
8. Cassettes to Avoid:
• Cassettes with poorly formed cases that rattle during
rewind and fast forward.
3
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Features
❑ Full-logic record/play transports with auto
reverse and continuous play
❑ Two eight-segment peak-holding fluorescent
meters
❑ Dolby B and C Noise Reduction
❑ Auto space rec mute
Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Labo-
ratories Licensing Corporation.
“Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laborato-
ries Licensing Corporation.
❑ Four-digit electronic tape counter
❑ CD synchro recording
z
❑
(Remote Interactive) compatible
❑ Auto tape selector
Control positions and names
For more information about a button or control, turn to the page number listed in square brackets([ ]).
1
2 3 4
5
6 7
EJECT
8
9
EJECT
ONKYO
DUBBING
NORMAL
COUNTER
RESET
DOLBY NR REVERCE MODE
HIGH
AUTO SPACE
A/B
DUBB.STOP
REC LEVEL
POWER
STANDBY
MIN
MAX
14 13 12 11 10
a b
c
d
e f
g
STANDBY/ON
North American model
Other models
STANDBY
DOLBY NR
DECK-A
PLAY
DECK-B
PLAY
PAUSE
HI-SPEED
-6
DUBBING
-3
OFF
B
C
REC
STANDBY/ON
STANDBY
MAIN POWER
L
dB
R
A
B
-
-20
-10
0
+3
+6
ON
OFF
j
i
h
12. Deck A operation buttons
Front panel
d
f
a
: Rewind button [7]
1. Deck A cassette holder [6]
2. DOLBY NR button [6, 8, 9]
3. Deck A r EJECT button [6]
: Fast forward button [7]
: Reverse play button [6]
: Stop button [6]
e
4. REVERSE MODE button [6, 7, 8, 10]
s
: Forward play button [6]
5. DUBBING button (NORMAL/HIGH) [10]
6. COUNTER A/B button [8]
13. STANDBY indicator [5]
14. STANDBY/ON button [5]
7. Deck B r EJECT button [8]
8. COUNTER RESET button [8]
9. Deck B cassette holder [8]
MAIN POWER switch (Other than North American model) [5]
Display
10. REC LEVEL control knob [8]
11. Deck B operation buttons
a Deck A direction indicator
b Reverse mode indicator
c Dubbing indicators
d Dolby NR indicators
e o REC indicator
t
: Rec/pause button [8]
AUTO SPACE : Auto space button [11]
d
f
a
: Rewind button [7]
: Fast forward button [7]
: Reverse play button [6, 9]
f g PAUSE indicator
g Deck B direction indicator
h Counter
e DUBB.STOP : Stop button (DUBB.STOP) [6, 9, 10]
s
: Forward play button [6, 9]
i Deck A/B indicator
j Peak level indicator
4
TA-RW255_En.book Page 5 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
System connections
• Do not plug in the AC power cord until all other connections have been made.
• On each pair of input or output jacks, the lower jack (marked R) corresponds to the right channel, and the upper jack (marked L) to the
left channel. Refer to the amplifier’s instruction manual for further information on connections.
To AC outlet
Plug the AC
OUT
IN
power cord
into a wall
outlet.
(REC)
(PLAY)
REMOTE
CONTROL
L
L
R
R
L
RL
R
(REC)(PLAY)
Connecting to an amplifier
Connect the tape deck LINE IN
jacks to the TAPE REC jacks on the
rear panel of the amplifier and the
tape deck LINE OUT jacks to the
amplifier TAPE PLAY jacks.
Amplifier
See “Connecting Onkyo components for z
operation” on page 12.
Refer to the amplifier’s instruction
manual for further information on
connections.
Power connections
Switching power on
For North American model:
1. Plug the AC power cord into a wall
outlet.
1
The STANDBY indicator will light.
2. Press the STANDBY/ON button.
The STANDBY indicator will go out
and the display will light.
For non-North American model:
1. Plug the AC power cord into a wall
outlet.
2. Press the MAIN POWER switch.
The STANDBY indicator will light.
3. Press the STANDBY/ON button.
The STANDBY indicator will go out
and the display will light.
• Pressing the a or s button of either
Deck A or Deck B when the unit is in
standby status will also cause the dis-
play to light and playback will start.
• If the tape deck is plugged into the
amplifier’s AC outlet, the amplifier’s
AC power cord must be plugged into a
wall outlet and its power switched on
before the tape deck can operate.
North American models
non-North American models
2
3
STANDBY/ON
STANDBY/ON
MAIN POWER
ON
OF
STANDBY
STANDBY
non-North American models
STANDBY/ON
MAIN POWER
ON
OFF
STAND
5
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To play a tape
• Check once again that all connections have been completed exactly as indicated in the connections diagram and then plug in the AC
power cord.
• After turning the power on, the display illuminates and the g PAUSE indicator flashes (about 5 seconds). While the indicator is flashing,
no operation can be performed.
• This deck holds two cassettes at once. Both Deck A and Deck B are capable of auto-reverse playback; Deck B can also record.
• Tapes can be played back using either Deck A or Deck B. Follow the procedure on Deck A or B. (Deck A is pictured.)
2
1
3
4
ONKYO
5
Listening to a tape
ONKYO
1. Press the EJECT button to open the
cassette holder.
2. Insert a cassette.
1
2
EJECT
• The side of the cassette with the exposed
tape should be facing downward.
3. Set the Dolby NR by pressing the
DOLBY NR button repeatedly until
the proper Dolby NR indicator
(OFF, B or C) turns on.
• Select the same noise reduction system
that was used when the cassette was
recorded. For instance, tapes recorded
using Dolby B NR should be played
back with Dolby B NR.
4. Set the Reverse Mode by pressing the
REVERSE MODE button repeatedly
until the desired mode is displayed.
( v ) one side: Only one side of the
tape is played back.
DOLBY NR
3
4
5
( b ) repeat: Both sides of the tape
are played back repeatedly eight times
or until the e button is pressed.
5. Start playback.
REVERSE MODE
• Press the a or s button depending
on which side of the cassette you wish
to listen to.
s : Playback starts from the front
side.
a : Playback starts from the reverse
side.
• The auto-stop mechanism will auto-
matically stop the tape (depending on
the tape transport mode) if a tape is
played through to the end.
Stopping playback
Press the e button.
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To play a tape
Recheck the tape direction settings (shown by
the Deck A and Deck B direction indicators)
before pressing the d or f button.
The following explanation assumes that the
tape direction is forward ( s ).
A
A
Fast forward and rewind
To fast forward the tape, press the f button.
To rewind the tape, press the d button.
• To stop either fast forward or rewind,
press the e button.
Automatic tape selection system
This deck automatically detects the type of
cassette in the cassette holder and sets the
bias and equalization to the correct settings.
Tape selection is performed by detecting the
presence or absence of identification pits on the
back of the cassette shell. Cassettes manufac-
tured before this identification system was
adopted and bargain cassettes that do not incor-
porate these pits cannot be used with this deck.
A
A
Reverse mode function
• Recheck the tape travel direction settings (shown by the Deck A and Deck B direction indicators) before beginning playback or recording.
• The following explanation assumes that cassette side A is facing outward.
• There is a silent gap about 10 seconds long when the direction of tape travel switches from forward to reverse or from reverse to forward
when the end of a tape side is reached.
Continuous tape playback
A
A
Insert the cassettes you wish to play in
Deck A and Deck B. Set the reverse mode
to b . Press the a or s button of
either Deck A or Deck B.
Both sides of both cassettes will play back,
one after the other, and then the process
will repeat. After four complete playback
cycles, playback stops automatically.
• Be sure to select the same Dolby NR
system on both Deck A and Deck B.
A
A
Recording to both sides of a
tape (Deck B)
A
A
Insert the cassette you wish to record in Deck
B. Set the reverse mode to
b
. Press the
t button followed by the s button of
Deck B to start recording from the front side.
Both sides of the cassette are recorded.
Then, the auto-stop mechanism will stop
the tape at the end of the reverse side.
• If recording starts in the reverse direc-
tion first, only the reverse side is
A
A
recorded, after which tape travel stops
automatically.
7
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Recording
Recording can be performed on Deck B only. High-speed recording is not possible when recording from the LINE IN (REC) jacks.
•
•
Check to see if one or both of the cassette’s erasure prevention tabs have been removed. (Refer to page 13 for details)
Confirm that the cassette deck is properly connected to the amplifier.
• Illustrations enclosed in solid boxes
indicate source component operations.
3 4
7
5
1
ONKYO
8
9
Recording
Confirm that the amplifier is set up cor-
rectly for recording. (Refer to the ampli-
fier’s instruction manual for details.)
1. Insert the cassettes.
Make sure the side to be recorded is
facing outward.
• Recording is not possible on the tape
leaders (the transparent sections you
see at both ends of the tape.)
1
2
DECK B
2. Prepare the source component to be
used for the recording.
• Tune in the desired station on the tuner.
• Load a CD (or LP) into the CD player
(or turntable).
• Load a cassette into the tape player
(analog or DAT).
3. Set the Dolby NR by pressing the
DOLBY NR button repeatedly until
the desired Dolby NR indicator
(OFF, B or C) turns on.
DOLBY NR
REVERSE MODE
3
5
4
4. Set the Reverse Mode by pressing the
REVERSE MODE button repeatedly
until the desired mode is displayed.
( v ) one side: Only one side of the
tape is recorded.
DECK-B
PLAY
COUNTER
A/B
RESET
( b ) repeat: Both sides of the tape
are recorded.
B
5. Press the COUNTER A/B button
repeatedly until
is displayed, and
B
press the COUNTER RESET button
to return the tape counter to [0000].
6. Begin playing the source component.
t
6
7
8
s
7. Press the
button.
8. While observing the peak level indi-
cators, adjust the recording level.
• The recording levels of the left and right
channels are adjusted simultaneously.
• Use the REC LEVEL knob to adjust
the recording level.
DECK-B
PLAY
t
REC PAUSE
B
• When using metal cassettes, the REC
LEVEL knob should be adjusted so
that +3 dB indicators light periodically.
When using other kinds of tapes, the 0
dB indicator should light periodically.
(See “Making good sound recordings”
on page 9.)
REC LEVEL
L
dB
R
-
-20
-10
-6
-3
0
+3
+6
MIN
MAX
8
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Recording
9. Put the source component into record-
ing standby status.
• Temporarily stop CD (or LP) play.
• Rewind the tape to the portion you
wish to start playback.
9
e
s
10. Press the
button on this unit and
begin playing the source component.
You can also use the CD Synchro
Recording function if this unit is prop-
erly connected to an Onkyo CD player
z
10
s
bearing the
symbol.
Stopping recording
DUBB.STOP
t
Press the e button.
Interrupting recording briefly
t
Press the
button.
Making good sound recordings
Dolby Noise Reduction System
Setting the Proper Recording Level
Dolby B NR is the system used in most cassette tape decks to
reduce the background noise that is inherent in all cassette tapes.
Dolby Laboratories then developed an even more effective noise
reduction system, Dolby C NR, in response to the demand for
increasingly better sound quality from cassette tapes.
The recording level has an important effect on the sound quality a
tape will have when it is played back. A recording level that is
too high will cause distortion while one which is too low will
lower the signal-to-noise ratio resulting in a tape with excessive
“hiss noise.” It is particularly important to set the recording level
correctly with cassette tapes since they have a much thinner mag-
netic coating than open reel tapes. The thin coating gives the tape
a comparatively low saturation level which can easily be sur-
passed if the recording level is set too high.
Both Dolby noise reductions systems operate by boosting signals
during recording that fall below a certain input level.
Dolby B and C NR operate on the higher portions of the fre-
quency spectrum using what is called a “sliding band” technique.
This is because tape hiss is most prominent during the quiet, high
frequency portions of a recording. These same signals are then
reduced back to their original strength during playback, thereby
reducing the background noise by the same amount. In order to
operate only when necessary, the Dolby NR system has a varying
effect depending on the input level and frequency of the material
being recorded.
Dolby C NR is capable of reducing tape hiss by 10 dB more than
Dolby B NR. In addition to its noise reducing function,
Dolby C NR has an anti-saturation network that lowers high
input levels before recording them and returns the signals to their
original strength during playback. This raises the high-frequency
saturation level of cassette tapes to allow you to record signals
that would normally cause distortion. This system raises the max-
imum output level of cassette tapes by more than 4 dB at 10 kHz.
The recording level indicators feature a peak-hold function for
the indicators from -6 dB through +6 dB. This can come in handy
when setting the recording level.
CD Synchro Recording System
Once the TA-RW255 is connected to a CD player bearing the z
mark (see page 12), press the s button of the CD player will
cause recording to start automatically on the TA-RW255.
1. Insert a cassette with the side to be recorded facing out.
2. Start the CD player.
3. Press the t button to place the unit in the recording
standby mode. Adjust the input level. When the recording
level has been set, stop the CD player.
4. Start the CD player again, and recording will begin simulta-
neously.
Notes:
1. Even if the CD player is stopped during recording, the cas-
sette deck will continue recording.
2. If the cassette deck is in the recording standby mode when
the CD is put in play, the deck will begin recording. When
setting recording levels, always start the CD first.
9
TA-RW255_En.book Page 10 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
Tape dubbing
• The recording level is automatically set to the optimum level during dubbing.
•
The Dolby NR System of Deck A is automatically used to record the tape in Deck B. If you wish to monitor the signal from a Dolby NR
encoded tape during dubbing, be sure to set the Dolby NR to match the type of Dolby NR with which the cassette was recorded.
1
ONKYO
2
3
4
Tape dubbing
1. Insert the prerecorded cassette into
Deck A, and insert the cassette to be
recorded into Deck B.
1
2. Set the Reverse Mode by pressing
the REVERSE MODE button
repeatedly until the desired mode is
displayed.
( v ) one side: Only one side of the
3. Check the Deck A and Deck B direc-
tion indicators to ensure that the
tape will start in the desired direc-
tion.
tape is copied.
( b ) repeat: Both sides of the tape
are copied.
REVERSE MODE
2
3
4
• To dub an entire tape, be sure to select
the forward ( s ) direction on both
Decks.
DECK-A
PLAY
DECK-B
PLAY
• To change the setting of the Direction
indicator, press the a or s button
followed by the e button.
4. Begin dubbing by pressing the NOR-
MAL or HIGH button.
DUBBING
NORMAL
HIGH
[NORMAL] : Normal speed dubbing
will begin.
[HIGH] : High speed dubbing about
half the time normally required will
begin.
Stopping dubbing
DUBB.STOP
e
Press the Deck B (DUBB.STOP) button.
Briefly interrupting dubbing
t
Press the
button.
t
In this case, you can change the cassette in
Deck A or search the desired portion by
using the buttons for Deck A. To resume
dubbing, press the NORMAL or HIGH
button or Deck B a or s button again.
10
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Useful recording functions
2
1
ONKYO
3
Inserting blank spaces between
songs when editing tapes
1
2
3
t
a
1. Press the
button and the
or
s
button to begin recording.
2. Press AUTO SPACE button at any
point during recording where you
want to enter a blank space about
five seconds long.
t
• The
off.
indicator flashes on and
PLAY
• After the blank space has been
inserted, the tape stops automatically
and the deck returns to the rec/pause
mode.
a
3. To continue recording, press the
s
or
button.
• The AUTO SPACE button works in
both the record and rec/pause modes.
AUTO SPACE
To insert a blank space of less than five
seconds between songs
Press the t button to return to the rec/
pause mode or press the a or s button
before a five-second period has elapsed.
To insert a blank space of more than five
seconds between songs
Hold the AUTO SPACE button down for as
long as you want the blank space to be. The
deck will return to the rec/pause mode
immediately when the button is released.
Pressing the AUTO SPACE
button during dubbing
Pressing the AUTO SPACE button during
dubbing causes Deck A to stop while a
blank space is inserted on the tape in Deck
B. Then Deck B reverts to the dubbing
pause mode. To continue dubbing, press
the NORMAL or HIGH button.
AUTO SPACE
11
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z
Connecting Onkyo components for
operation
If this unit is properly connected to another Onkyo component bearing the z symbol, you will be able to control it using the other com-
ponent’s remote control.
For remote control operation
The upper and lower remote control jacks
have the same function.
For remote control operation, connect this
jack to any Onkyo amplifier, receiver or
CD player bearing the z symbol using
the remote control cable.
Tuner
Note:
Do not attempt to connect the z remote
control jack to any equipment other than an
Onkyo component bearing the z symbol.
Doing so could cause the unit to malfunc-
tion.
CD Player
The function listed below can be accom-
plished using the remote control of the
master unit.
Amplifier/Receiver
TA-RW255
s a : Play
d
f
e
: Rewind
: Fast forward
: Stop
ONKYO
t
: Rec/Pause
CD synchro recording system
Once connections are made, as shown left,
this function becomes enabled. It automati-
cally starts recording on the cassette deck
when the s button of the CD player is
pressed. (See page 9.)
To use z, you must make an analog
audio connection between the TA-RW255
and the other component.
12
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Handling cassette tapes
Examine cassette tapes carefully before using them with the casette tape deck.
Erasure prevention
A
B
Cassette tapes are constructed with erasure
prevention tabs to prevent accidental era-
sure of the tape.
1
If you wish to protect a recording from
accidental erasure, break off the tab(s)
on the appropriate side(s). It will no
longer be possible to use the recording
button with such a cassette.
A
1.
2.
2
If at some later date you wish to record
the cassette, simply cover the hole(s)
with small pieces of cellophane tape.
• Take care not to cover the tape type ID
holes.
High position
detection hole
Loose tape
Loose tape can cause tangling around the
pinch roller and capstan and jam the mech-
anism. Remove any tape slack with a pen-
cil or similar device as shown in the
diagram.
A
Tapes not recommended
1. C-100–120 tapes
C-100–120 tape is thin and therefore
easily broken. There is a possibility
that tape could get caught on the pinch
roller or capstan.
2. Endless tapes
Do not use endless tapes.
Tape storage
• Do not touch the tape surface.
• Do not put thick paper or cardboard
labels in the cassette holder.
• Do not put tapes near magnetic sources
(speakers, amplifiers, TVs, etc.) Your
important recording might be erased or
damaged.
A
A
No!
No!
No!
• Do not expose cassettes to direct sun-
light.
No!
13
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Cassette deck main- Specifications
tenance
Format:
Auto reverse double deck
4-tracks, 2-channels
AC bias
AC erase
4.76 cm/sec. (1-7/8 i.p.s)
0.13 % (WRMS)
Track format:
Recording system:
Erasing system:
Tape speed:
Wow and flutter:
Frequency response:
REC/PB head
Erase head
Capstans
(DECK B only)
Metal position tape 30 Hz to 15 kHz 3 dB
High position tape 30 Hz to 14 kHz 3 dB
Normal position tape 30 Hz to 13 kHz 3 dB
Signal to noise ratio: 56 dB (metal position tape/Type IV,
Dolby NR off)
55 dB (high position/Type II, Dolby NR
off)
50 dB (normal position/Type I, Dolby
NR off)
Noise reduction of 10 dB above 5 kHz
and 5 dB at 1 kHz possible with Dolby B.
Noise reduction of 20 dB at 5 kHz possi-
ble with Dolby C.
Pinch rollers
Input Jacks:
LINE IN:
This deck requires no lubrication.
2
Input sensitivity:
Input impedance:
Output Jacks:
LINE OUT:
Standard output level: 500 mV
Output load impedance: over 50 kΩ
Motors:
Heads:
PB Head:
Rec/PB Head:
Erase head:
Power supply rating: North American: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
European: AC 230–240 V, 50 Hz
Power consumption: 17 W
Standby power consumption:
North American: 7.0 W
80 mV
50 kΩ
Head, Pinch Roller and Capstan Cleaning
Playback sound quality can be greatly diminished if magnetic
particles are allowed to accumulate on the recording/playback
head or playback head. Be sure to clean the head periodically,
normally 2 - 3 times a month, to maintain your deck’s original
performance. Dirty heads may cause:
• Poor sound quality (lose of high frequency response)
• Decreased volume
• Skipping
• Incomplete erasure of previous recordings
If the pinch rollers and capstan are dirty, the tape may become
tangled and damaged by wrapping around the pinch roller and
capstan.
To prevent these problems, clean the heads, pinch rollers and
capstans with a cotton swab dipped in cleaning fluid.
2
DC servo motor: 1+1
Special Hard Permalloy × 1
Special Hard Permalloy × 1
Ferrite × 1
European: 0.6 W
Dimensions: (W x H x D):
Demagnetizing
Residual magnetism builds up in the heads after the cassette deck
has been used for an extended period of time. This buildup intro-
duces noise and static into tapes and impairs high frequency
response. To prevent this, demagnetize the heads with any com-
mercially available head eraser once every 50 hours of use.
Refer to the instruction manual of the head eraser for detailed
instructions.
435 mm x 121 mm x 303 mm
(17-1/8" × 4-3/4" × 11-15/16")
Weight:
Operation condition temperature/humidity:
5˚C–35˚C/5%–85% (no condensation)
4.9 kg (10.8 lbs.)
Specifications and external appearance are subject to change
without notice because of product improvements.
14
TA-RW255_En.book Page 15 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
Troubleshooting guide
The following guide lists problems which do not require professional servicing. If, however, the problem cannot be remedied using this
guide, contact an Onkyo authorized service center for assistance.
• No power.
Cause: Power cord plug is loose
Remedy: Insert plug properly into outlet.
• Tape squeal and skipping.
Cause: Dirty heads, pinch rollers or capstan shafts.
Remedy: Clean (see page 14).
Cause: Cassette shell is binding tape or tape is stretched.
Remedy: Change cassette or try correcting with fast for-
ward and rewind.
• Playback but no sound.
Cause: Incorrect connection.
Remedy: Check and connect correctly according to
page 5.
Cause: Stereo amplifier input selector switch is set to incor-
rect position.
• Excessive hum during playback.
Cause: Connecting cables not inserted firmly.
Remedy: Insert plugs firmly.
Remedy: Change switch position.
Cause: External flux leakage from nearby amplifier or TV
set.
• Tape does not move.
Remedy: Move deck away from hum source.
Cause: Slack tape wound around pinch roller.
Remedy: Take up slack with a pencil (see page 13).
• High frequencies too strong.
Cause: Dolby NR encoded tape played back with NR off.
Remedy: Select the same noise reduction (Dolby NR B
or C) used when the cassette was recorded.
Cause: Incorrect equalization.
t
•
button does not engage.
Cause: No tape in cassette holder.
Remedy: Insert cassette tape.
Cause: Erasure prevention tab(s) removed.
Remedy: Change cassette or cover tab hole with cello-
phane tape.
Remedy: Confirm that cassette has tape type detection
holes.
• No high frequency sounds.
• Hoarse sound, balance unstable.
Cause: Playback head dirty.
Remedy: Clean head (see page 14).
Cause: Tape is stretched.
Cause: Tape not encoded with Dolby NR played back with
Dolby B or C NR on.
Remedy: Select the appropriate NR mode using the
DOLBY NR button (OFF).
Cause: Heads have become dirty.
Remedy: Clean (see page 14).
Remedy: Replace cassette.
• Excessive noise and tape hiss.
Cause: Head has become magnetized.
Remedy: Demagnetize (see page 14).
Cause: Tape with high noise level.
Remedy: Replace cassette.
• The skip function does not operate properly.
Cause: The silent sections between songs are too short or
noisy.
Remedy: Use a cassette with sufficiently silent sections
of sufficient length between songs.
• Distorted sound.
Cause: Distortion in tape.
Remedy: Tape is probably bad but confirm by listening to
another.
• Deck does not operate properly.
Cause: Tape transport control microcomputer has been
exposed to interference from power supply or static
electricity.
• Recordings are distorted.
Remedy:
Cause: Recording was done at too high a level.
Remedy: Readjust REC LEVEL knob according to the
directions on page 8.
North American model: Unplug the power cord from the
wall outlet, wait approximately 10 seconds and then plug
it again.
Other model: Press the MAIN POWER switch to turn off
the power.
Wait approximately 10 seconds and turn it on again.
In catalogs and on packaging, the letter at the end of the product
name indicates the color. Specifications and operation are the
same regardless of color.
15
TA-RW255_En.book Page 16 Tuesday, April 19, 2005 4:36 PM
Sales & Product Planning Div. : 2-1, Nisshin-cho, Neyagawa-shi, OSAKA 572-8540, JAPAN
Tel: 072-831-8023 Fax: 072-831-8124
ONKYO U.S.A. CORPORATION
18 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, N.J. 07458, U.S.A.
ONKYO EUROPE ELECTRONICS GmbH
Liegnitzerstrasse 6, 82194 Groebenzell, GERMANY
ONKYO EUROPE UK Office
Suite 1, Gregories Court, Gregories Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1HQ
UNITED KINGDOM Tel: +44-(0)1494-681515 Fax: +44(0)-1494-680452
HOMEPAGE
ONKYO CHINA LIMITED
Units 2102-2107, Metroplaza Tower I, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Chung,
N.T., HONG KONG Tel: 852-2429-3118 Fax: 852-2428-9039
I0504-1
SN 29343966
(C) Copyright 2005 ONKYO CORPORATION Japan. All rights reserved.
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