Hitachi TRK 8110E any good?

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Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
Northerner said:
If this is like the Hitachi then the mic input should work if I remember rightly
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I just tried this and it kinda works but it sounds weird, I think the trouble is the Roberts has some automatic level control where the Hitachi has a pot for adjusting the volume for the mic input. So I guess even if the din socket on the back did work I,m going to have the same problem of the automatic level control messing up the sound?
In hindsight I think I should have gone for the Hitachi or another BB with a proper line in.
I might look out for an Hitachi TRK 8110E if it is similar sounding to the Roberts but without the auto level control.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
The volume pot is probably one of the most important controls to clean - I’ve had boxes in the past with little or no crackle when adjusting the pot. After cleaning, a noticeable improvement in performance was gained.
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
The volume pot is probably one of the most important controls to clean - I’ve had boxes in the past with little or no crackle when adjusting the pot. After cleaning, a noticeable improvement in performance was gained.
Click to expand...
I did not know this, I thought if the control worked without crackling all was well? I might have a go at cleaning the pots but it,s not going to fix the inbuilt automatic level control problem.
 
floyd

floyd

Boomus Fidelis
Yeah that sucks because most boxes have a mic input level control. My boxes get too strong a signal and you can dial it in perfectly as long as you can adjust the input level. The mic inputs usually have a much stronger line level which is great for making powerful recordings.
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
The volume pot is probably one of the most important controls to clean - I’ve had boxes in the past with little or no crackle when adjusting the pot. After cleaning, a noticeable improvement in performance was gained.
Click to expand...
I've now cleaned the volume, bass and treble pots and there does seem to be a noticeable improvement in sound quality. Those pots were a real PITA to get at and I had to dismantle the whole thing to get at them properly. If I get the Hitachi TRK 8110E I do hope it will be easier to service than this Roberts. I even had to desolder a couple of wires to get the main board out of the way. It's a small miracle that I got it apart and back together without damaging anything.
 
Reli

Reli

Boomus Fidelis
The problem with Mic inputs is that usually you get a bunch of background hiss, and the signal is low-quality compared to Line In/Aux inputs.

The DIN input should work. If it doesn't, then either it's fake, has broken leads, or they designed it to restrict the incoming signal so much that you will need to use a headphone amp or DAC to boost the signal.
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
Reli said:
The problem with Mic inputs is that usually you get a bunch of background hiss, and the signal is low-quality compared to Line In/Aux inputs.

The DIN input should work. If it doesn't, then either it's fake, has broken leads, or they designed it to restrict the incoming signal so much that you will need to use a headphone amp or DAC to boost the signal.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what to do now, I had sort of decided on the Hitachi 8110e?
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
Hisrudeness said:
Does it have to be those two boxes or can you wait for something better? (With a proper line-in?)
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Well, if using a mic or rec/play as a line in gives poor sound quality then I would rather have a box with a proper line in.
 
floyd

floyd

Boomus Fidelis
If you're going to buy something by something that's got features that can perform and is fully working that way you don't get a bad experience and it'll want to keep you collecting more.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
It’s always safer to go for the top tier models in a range to get the features you want (if the budget allows). With regards to getting a fully working box, good luck!! I’ve almost never received a box that was ‘fully working’.

Some brands/models seem to age better than others. Do your research and always buy local if possible - try before you buy, it’s such a beautiful thing. :-)
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
It’s always safer to go for the top tier models in a range to get the features you want (if the budget allows). With regards to getting a fully working box, good luck!! I’ve almost never received a box that was ‘fully working’.
Some brands/models seem to age better than others. Do your research and always buy local if possible - try before you buy, it’s such a beautiful thing. :-)
Click to expand...
Which makes and models should I be looking for? I want a good sounding box and must have good FM reception with a mono selector. Obviously a line in. Must be reliable too. And not too big as it must not take up too much room on the kitchen worktop. Not too bothered about how it looks as long as it sounds good. Does not need tons of bass but I would like to hear the basslines, good mids and highs, I don't wish to spend hundreds of £££'s.
 
J

jimmyjimmy19702010

Member (SA)
There are a few radios I could recommend but only if you get the non euro versions with RCA line inputs. Sticking with Hitachi, the TRK -8080 US version has a proper line in, good sounding tuner and deck.

I know there are 5 Din units out there that can work as a usable line in but none that I’ve come across. (In Australia). I’ve even seen a euro M90 that has no useable line in (except the phono in via an attenuator). When I say ‘usable’, I mean a line in that requires no involvement what so ever with the tape deck.

Also keep an eye out for the early AIWA TPR series units that, despite not having a switch for line in, actually do have usable RCA inputs in the rear that function as a line in on tuner mode (the tuner is muted in favour of the RCA input signal).
 
Hisrudeness

Hisrudeness

Member (SA)
I agree with Jimmy. Do some research (look in the collections section) also online and try and shortlist a few that you like the look of. The problems with asking the members to recommend boxes is that the choice is almost infinite. Different tastes and styles means that the thread goes on and on unless you can shortlist it down. Even then it’s complicated because the boxes might not be available straight away. What country are you in?
 
T-STER

T-STER

Member (SA)
I was just about to ask what country you were in, that would help. I probably have a few boxes i could part with cheap, whats your criteria? Do you need a working deck or just radio and line in? Colour preference, EG: silver box, black box etc. Any favoured brands?
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
I live in Mid Wales,UK (just added location to my profile). As I have now eliminated the Hitachi TRK 8110E from my wish list, should I start a new thread "boombox for my kitchen" or should I carry on with this thread?
T-STER said:
I was just about to ask what country you were in, that would help. I probably have a few boxes i could part with cheap, whats your criteria? Do you need a working deck or just radio and line in? Colour preference, EG: silver box, black box etc. Any favoured brands?
Click to expand...
Hisrudeness said:
I agree with Jimmy. Do some research (look in the collections section) also online and try and shortlist a few that you like the look of. The problems with asking the members to recommend boxes is that the choice is almost infinite. Different tastes and styles means that the thread goes on and on unless you can shortlist it down. Even then it’s complicated because the boxes might not be available straight away. What country are you in?
Click to expand...
 
Ferguson3T18

Ferguson3T18

Member (SA)
jimmyjimmy19702010 said:
There are a few radios I could recommend but only if you get the non euro versions with RCA line inputs. Sticking with Hitachi, the TRK -8080 US version has a proper line in, good sounding tuner and deck.
I know there are 5 Din units out there that can work as a usable line in but none that I’ve come across. (In Australia). I’ve even seen a euro M90 that has no useable line in (except the phono in via an attenuator). When I say ‘usable’, I mean a line in that requires no involvement what so ever with the tape deck.
Also keep an eye out for the early AIWA TPR series units that, despite not having a switch for line in, actually do have usable RCA inputs in the rear that function as a line in on tuner mode (the tuner is muted in favour of the RCA input signal).
Click to expand...
There is a AIWA TPR-968k on EBay at the moment, is that a good box?
 
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