JVC KD V6 Cassette deck - Tune up (Ep. 91)

[@craigm.9070]

This deck looks like a nice to work on piece; easy access to the transport mechanism. The service manual looks to have an easy to follow calibration section...always a big plus. Thanks for posting!

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks for watching!

[@larrylawrence6411]

I think I saw a problem that may be part of the answer for poor recording and playback performance. When you have a Type II tape in, the auto sensor was showing Metal (or Type IV). It should have been showing CrO2. I suspect the auto tape sensing switches needed de-oxed.

[@Fubar06]

I can't believe only you and I noticed that. All the adjustments made are for nothing (well except speed ofc). First thing that should have been addressed is the leaf switches or whatever issue the deck is having in identifying the correct type of tape.

[@adaboy4z]

I bought one from Goodwill, cleaned it(must clean the tape sensors) new belt and recapped. Its a beast at recording/playback. A good quality combo test tape from A.N.T is superb.

[@rafacq]

New to your channel. I have a JVC KD-V6 that needs servicing. Needs belts and one channel is dead. I ordered a service manual thinking it may be helpful when I find a technician here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Are there parts available so it can be repaired? Thanks in advance.

[@randolphblack2554]

Excellent video and I am glad to see that JVC made things easier to work on near the end of manufacturing cassette decks.

[@summersky77]

I'm surprised you even had to adjust the heads. I have several examples of this deck and also it's 1987 identical cousin, TD-V66. They're all pretty much bang on after 38 years and every video I've ever seen of the KD-V6 and TD-V66 plays tapes brilliantly. This is a sleeper deck and severely underrated. Price is usually pretty decent on these (well under $200 USD). Scoop one up if you can. I wanted a spare and ended up with a couple of them. It's got no calibration features (auto or manual) and no bias fine tuning, but you'll never miss them on this unit. Tough to explain, but you have to hear one. up to 21kHz in freq. response. S/N is excellent on quality tape. Just a good all round deck.

[@knifeswitch5973]

I have the VR5. It’s a solid deck. Kind of a JVC collector. Very underrated gear.

[@olaniyi570]

Informative video. However i need to point out that this Maxell XL-II is certainly better than decent. It's one of the best type 2 tapes ever made and will hold its own against some metal tapes on the right deck.

[@cseresznyessandor237]

Hi Trevor! Ive bought 3 years ago one from Germany. THEplayback was excelent Ihad not adjusted on the head screws so was painted.ONLYwas problem with recording,,on the bias balance pot was not connected as good,mended,but at least half an hour could adjusted the level on tape1 record ,playback almost the same. YOU could get some higher frequencies with the 2 EQ pots adjusting, i ve made it bey my hearings,as a little bit higher then DD5, DD5 has SA head ..I VE NOT GOT THE MANUAL.I ONLY 1 QUESTION WITH THE 2 BIOS POTS. SINCERELLY SÁNDOR

[@rafacq]

I messed up the motor on my JVC KD-V6 deck. Can you suggest where I can order the motor & belt kit?

[@Wizkidmelburn]

Do you know the availability of the capstan motor, mine is making a horrific noise. Thanks.

[@Dutch-linux]

did you do the bias adjustments and the recording level adjustments ? as that will affect de sound quality

[@TrevorsBench]

Not this time. The owner confirmed this deck wouldn't be used for recording

[@nickfrench7372]

@@TrevorsBench That,s what u need to do with the recording level and bias adjustments,,,as u will b able to monitor the sound while recording,,,with a 3 head cassette recording deck. I know I was able to get the recording level adjusted very much spot on,,,with my aiwa 3 head stereo tape deck,,,as I had got the sound on tape matching with the source input sound altogether. The playback side was loud and clear,,,playing a pre-recorded tape,,,but when I had tried recording onto the tape from cd player,,,it was very ordinary in turning out with the volume level,,,until I realigned the recording level,,,and bias adjustments while monitoring the recorded sound at the same time during recording.

[@md_sc5855]

NIce video, very helpful to see the guts of a unit. But deck wasn't reading the tape type correctly (it was set for METAL, not CRO2, so bias way off) that screws up the evaluation of how this deck actually plays and records... did you find and correct the tape type issue for the customer? And do you have an update you could share? Could you tack an update at the end of this video? I've read a lot of good performance reviews of this deck, but this video definitely suggests playback and recording are pretty bad... would appreciate some update... this video is still useful to see the inner workings, how to adjust speed, and especially head alignment, etc. Thanks

[@md_sc5855]

I was curious... this problem most likely accounts for the record and playback level issues you saw... From Wikipedia, quote from High Fidelity magazine "A Quick Guide to Tapes" 1982: "Type II bias ('high bias') equals around 150% of Type I bias, Type IV bias ('metal bias') equals around 250% of Type I bias." Bias was way off...

[@sirsuse]

You probably already thought of this but do you think the playback or record head is worn?

[@TrevorsBench]

I always have a good look at the heads and they looked ok

[@craigdavidson2278]

A great cassette deck, better than the nakamichi BX125 or the 300….for a 2 head cassette deck this has excellent sound. Sadly an underrated deck….definitely a sleeper player. If you collect decks, this (and the Sony TC-K81) should be you starting point.

[@professorvoluck9311]

It’s a 3 head deck.

[@ANTandTEC]

Nice video 👍

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks!

[@robertg.1765]

I always use metal tape in my KD V6. Any other type of tape just doesn't show the true performance of this machine.

[@olaniyi570]

Agreed it shines with Metal. No pun intended. For type II i would recommend Sony UX, UX-s etc.