RCA SCT-530 User Manual

owner’s manual

SCT-530
HIGH-SPEED DUBBING STEREO CASSETTE DECK

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FEATURES

Your RCA SCT-530 High-Speed Dubbing Stereo Cassette
Deck combines two cassette decks for professional-quality
dubbing and the convenience of extended play. Its special
features include:

Dolby B Noise Reduction System — reduces tape hiss
and background noise for the best possible audio
recording.

Auto Tape Selector — automatically adjusts equalization
and bias to match the type of tape you play.

Continuous Play — lets you set the deck to
automatically play two tapes in sequence.

High-Speed Dubbing — lets you copy tapes at twice the
normal speed.

Auto-Stop — protects the tape and the playback/record
mechanisms by stopping playback or recording at the end
of the tape.

For your permanent records, we urge you to record
your cassette deck’s serial number in the space below.
You can find the serial number on the label on the back
panel of the cassette deck.

Serial Number:
_____________________________________________

Warning: Most prerecorded tapes contain
copyrighted material.Copying or dubbing of such
material is a violation of copyright laws.

Dolby and the double-D symbol 2 are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

Dolby Noise Reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

2

2 DOLBY B NR

©1999 Tandy Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This cassette deck is made and tested to
meet exacting safety standards. It meets
both UL and FCC requirements.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.

DO NOT OPEN.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
THE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

This symbol is intended to
alert you to the presence of
dangerous voltage inside
the product that can cause
shock. Do not open the
product’s case.

This symbol is intended to
alert you to important
operating and maintenance
instructions in this owner’s
manual.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.

This cassette deck complies with the limits for a Class B
digital device as specified in Part 15 of FCC Rules. These
limits provide reasonable protection against radio and TV
interference in a residential area. However, your equipment
might cause radio or TV interference even when it is
operating properly. To eliminate interference, you can try
one or more of the following corrective measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the distance between the cassette deck and the
radio or TV

• Use outlets on different electrical circuits for the
cassette deck and the radio or TV

Consult your local Radio Shack store or an experienced
radio/TV technician if the problem still exists.

Careful attention is devoted to quality standards in the manufacture of your cassette deck, and safety is a
major factor in its design. However, safety is also your responsibility.

This section lists important information that will help you properly use and enjoy your cassette deck and
accessories. Read all the included safety and operating instructions before using your cassette deck, follow
them closely, and retain them for future reference.

Heed Warnings — Follow all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions.
Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use only a damp cloth for cleaning.

Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
Attachments — Do not use attachments/accessories not recommended by the product manufacturer, as

they might create a hazard.
Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water (for example, near a bathtub, washbowl,

kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool).
Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The

product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only
with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the product.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting, and use a recommended mounting accessory.

Carts — Move the product on a cart carefully. Quick stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause the product/cart to overturn.

Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet provide ventilation, ensure
reliable operation, and protect from overheating. Do not block or cover these
openings, and do not place the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar

surface. Do not place the product in a built-in bookcase or rack unless it provides
proper ventilation as specified by the manufacturer.

Power Sources — Operate this product using only the power source indicated on its marking label. If
you are not sure of your home’s power type, consult your product dealer or local power company.

Polarization — This product is equipped with a polarized AC line plug (a plug having one blade wider
than the other). This plug will fit in the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you cannot
insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug still doesn’t fit, contact your
electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug. If you
need an extension, use a polarized cord.

Power-Cord Protection — Route power-supply cords so they are not likely to be walked on or pinched
by items placed on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the product.

Lightning — For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended
and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable
system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.

Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles, as this
can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

Objects and Liquids — Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings, as they may
touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill
liquid of any kind on the product.

Servicing — Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may expose
you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified
service personnel under the following conditions:

• When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.

• If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the product.

• If the product has been exposed to rain or water.

• If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those
controls that are covered by the operating instructions, as an improper adjustment of other controls
may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the
product to normal operation.

• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.

• When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician uses
replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or having the same characteristics as the original part.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

Safety Check — Upon completion of service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to
perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

Wall or Ceiling Mount — The product should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by
the manufacturer.

Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

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CONTENTS

Connections .............................................................................................................................5

Connecting the Recording and Playback Cables.........................................................................................5

Connecting Power .......................................................................................................................................5

Basic Operation........................................................................................................................ 6

loading and Playing a Cassette Tape...........................................................................................................6

Loading a Cassette Tape .........................................................................................................................6

Playing a Cassette Tape ..........................................................................................................................6

Dolby Noise Reduction ...............................................................................................................................6

Special Features .......................................................................................................................7

Fast-Forward/Rewind .................................................................................................................................7

Pause...........................................................................................................................................................7

Using Continuous Play ...............................................................................................................................7

Recording and Dubbing ..............................................................................................................................8

Recording from Line-In Sources..............................................................................................................8

Copying a Cassette Tape (Dubbing) .......................................................................................................8

Tape Hints ................................................................................................................................9

Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality ................................................................................................9

Erasing a Cassette Tape ..............................................................................................................................9

Erase-Protection Tabs .................................................................................................................................9

Care and Maintenance ...........................................................................................................10

Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts ............................................................................................................10

Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................... 11

Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 13

Index to Features by Control Name .......................................................................................14

Notes ......................................................................................................................................15

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CONNECTIONS

CONNECTING THE RECORDING AND
PLAYBACK CABLES

1. Using one of the supplied audio cables,
connect the cassette deck’ s left and right LINE

OUTPUT

and right tape input jacks.

2. Using the other audio cable, connect the
cassette deck’s LINE INPUT jacks to the
receiver/amplifier’s tape output jacks.

Note: If you are not sure which receiver/amplifier jacks to
use, refer to your receiver/amplifier’s owner’s manual.

CONNECTING POWER

Carefully check all connections. Then plug the AC power
cord into a standard AC outlet. The power cord’s plug is
polarized and fits only one way.

Warning: To prevent electric shock, do not plug the
power cord into an extension cord or other receptacle
unless you can fully and easily insert the plug’s blades.

jacks to the receiver/amplifier’s left

INPUT

PHONO

CD

L

R

RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER

TAPE/DCC

VCR/

LD

L

REC

PLAY

L

REC

TAPE 2

__
L

PLAY

CONTROL

LINE

INPUT OUTPUT

PLAY

REC

L

R

R

L

R

R

R

L

OUT

R

L

R

R

SCT-530

L

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