Denon DR-M4

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

Its an auto tape selector deck, it selected Type I correctly, its just that it can't adjust the bias far enough for a flat response to come from that tape. My JVC has also had issues adjusting to some BASF tapes as it just doesn't have enough range in the dial. My Yamaha KX-530 also had much lower treble response with BASF type 1 and 2 tapes. Any other mainstream brand (TDK/Maxell/Fuji) has had no issues in those decks. I know that the BASF Chrome Maxima that I tried in the JVC required the bias to be turned to the far left, there was just enough range for it to produce a flat response. BASF tapes are more difficult to bias in all the decks I have tried. If they do bias correctly, they sound fine, but if not its just not worth making a recording on them.

8991XJ · Dec 13, 2014

The Denon I got was DR-M2, Silver. If it had been the DR-M4 I might have kept it. The M2 sounded good only revealing limitations at higher listening levels. I would expect the M4 to be an excellent machine. Looks good too.

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

I did some research on BASF tapes. Many say that yes the sensitivity is much less than a TDK or Maxell, which is not a sign of low quality at all. Some say they are the quietest tapes around and very dynamic, even though you have to keep the recording level at around 0db or less. Provided they calibrate properly they are fine. However TDK will always be my favorite as they have high sensitivity and can handle much higher recording levels without distortion. I shall test some BASF Chrome Extra and Chrome Super in the Denon DR-M4 today and see how they go, the JVC was compatible with them provided that it had enough range in the bias dial, but I had to learn what their limits were level wise and exactly how to calibrate them, sometimes a bit of under/over biasing made all the difference. Unfortunately you can't do that with an auto tuning deck. Even still the DR-M4 is a great deck and I'm happy with the purchase.

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

8991XJ said:

Thanks =).
Funny you should mention the DR-M2 (nice machine), I saw one for sale from the same guy I got mine from, and its much more expensive. Doesn't make sense to me as its 2 models below. Any Denon I get my hands on is worth keeping (except for dual well decks).

Miracle Mile · Dec 13, 2014

derek92994 said:

How dare you! :iconbiggrin:

Serious: I've owned several Denons (and all in condition of new) but their performances were just not more than average.

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

Miracle Mile said:

Each to their own. Denons work for me, I love their sound and build quality.

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

I suspect this Denon DR-M4 has more head wear than I thought. Switching between tape and source while recording shows a big difference in high frequencies. It wasn't immediately obvious as I used a metal tape to start with, but after I used a Type I and Type II tape, head wear is rearing its ugly head. Recordings are ok, its more so the playback head that's worn which doesn't make sense. Will have to make some adjustments and see if I can make it better. But for now I'm over this shit, going to get out of the house :dontknow:

Elite-ist · Dec 13, 2014

I've only had experience recording on my X-brother-in-law's Denon cassette deck. I can't remember the model #, but I still have the tapes I recorded with his deck in the mid 80's. This was long before I got into mix tape trading and had a chance to experience other decks.

The arch nemesis of any cassette deck or open-reel deck is head wear. It doesn't leave you with many choices, except for head lapping or replacement.

Nando.

derek92994 · Dec 13, 2014

Elite-ist said:

Had to get out and get some fresh air. Was a little frustrated with the playback heads. It could be an alignment issue. The recording isnt too bad when played back on other decks though. Head replacement will have to wait a while though if needed.

BlazeES · Dec 13, 2014

Denon's are a unique animal and far from what I would define as "cross-compatible". That's not to say they are any lesser of a platform.
Tapes I made on my Denon's back in the day didn't translate well on my Sony ES rigs. They played better on my Naks and an Akai.
They are temperamental on the auto bias side of things too, even the 33HX I owned didn't tolerate all formulations of tapes I regularly used and it wasn't auto mode.
I still cherish the DR-M44HX I recently scored for a song though. Beautiful soft-touch controls and a buttery mechanism. Clear and pragmatic display.
Never had a Denon deck ever eat a tape too!

I look at Denon's like this: Experiment with different tape types and brands, find what it prefers and stick with it (them).
Treat it like a woman ...

derek92994 · Dec 14, 2014

HALF BIASS!

Well with nothing to lose I took the top off the Denon DR-M4 and made some adjustments. Aligned the heads (very slight adjustment), adjusted the bias while recording, this was way out from what it should have been (yes, there is a manual setting inside on the circuit board plus the auto setting which makes its own adjustments), adjusted VU meter levels (were showing too low during recording/playback), verified the test recordings with 3 of my other decks (especially with the JVC), great sound on all.

Now when I switch between tape and source during recording, it is hard to detect the difference between the two, outstanding. Even on a type 1 its hard to tell the difference unless you have dolby off and have the slight tape hiss. Even when recording on the BASF Chrome Extra sounds outstanding now. For all these adjustments I used headphones and then with the room speakers to be sure. Tested with TDK D90, TDK SA90, BASF Chrome Extra II, Sony XR60 Metal performing auto tune function on each before recording, all tapes record fantastic now.

A New capstan belt has been installed, and Idler Tyre so the deck has actually been serviced as stated, it was just not 'tuned' in the bias, level and VU meters. The person who sold this deck must have thought the heads were gone on it, and were looking to get more money than it was worth if that were the case.

It took a day or so to realise something was really wrong with this deck when it came to playback and recording quality, had to do lots of testing between decks, at first I thought it was just a different sound, but it was too far out to be the deck character itself, Denons sound better than that. This deck is not tape fussy like once thought, now adjustments have been made, I love it! :happy3:

Time to clean the dust off those circuit boards then its finished (and I can now do some serious recording with it).

Dazen1 · Dec 15, 2014

Miracle Mile said:

I don't wan't to piss on anybody having fun with a new toy... BUT, I agree with Miles.

Having said that... One deck that used to be on my wish list was the Arcam Delta 100 which I believe was built around a Denon transport.

And let us be honest too - only a handful of machines were truly high end (and not all of them manufactured by Nakamichi).

Enjoy your new deck.

fitz43 · Dec 15, 2014

Dazen1 said:

Which machines would you have on that list?

BlazeES · Dec 15, 2014

Dazen1 said:

I guess what we can derive from this is that Denon products sold in the U.K. were ass.

Must be something in those extra large power plugs ... :sign5:

Dazen1 · Dec 15, 2014

fitz43 said:

Being purely objective...

Nakamichi ZX-9
Nakamichi 1000ZXL
Revox B215
Sony TC-KA7ES
Sony WM-D6C

Miracle Mile · Dec 15, 2014

Dazen1 said:

Hmmm.... WM-D6C?

Miracle Mile · Dec 15, 2014

Food for thought...

Just a two questions (don't take it too serious):

A cassettedeck being High End audio?

What's the definition of High End anyway in this matter?

derek92994 · Dec 15, 2014

BlazeES said:

All the tapes recorded by the denon so far sound brilliant in my JVC V661, Nak 480, Nak BX-1, Denon DR-230, Denon DR-F7, Harman Kardon TD 420, and Alpine 7552E (Car deck). Bias is not an issue since I made the adjustments, the auto tuning makes the more finer adjustments that the internal pots can not.

Dazen1 said:

Thanks Dazen. I respect your opinion. I feel I progressed with sound quality in obtaining the new Denon Deck, it does some things better than the JVC and the JVC does some things better than the Denon (because of HXPRO). The main thing is that I am happy with the sound and its functioning perfectly, there is always better, but near enough is good enough for me.

derek92994 · Dec 15, 2014

Miracle Mile said:

They are a superb portable machine, outstanding. And go for big money.

derek92994 · Dec 15, 2014

Dazen1 said:

As much as I'd love to own one of these, I tend to settle for more economical buys, mainly because I have always been a fairly low income earner most of my life. The JVC and the Denon decks are the only ones I have spent more than $100 on, the rest of the decks I got dirt cheap and fixed them up myself.

Denon DR-M4

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