Yamaha - KX-330 Audio-cassette deck

Very neat and well-playing Yamaha KX-330 stereo cassette deck.

A versatile and reliably performing cassette recorder from the early 1990s, ideal for enthusiasts of analog sound reproduction and mix tapes, or as a replacement or upgrade for older decks in audio systems. The Yamaha KX-330 combines solid build quality with clear playback performance and noise reduction that was above average for its price range at the time.

Main features
Stereo cassette deck with 4-track, 2-channel recording and playback.
• 2-head mechanism (1 × record/playback + 1 × erase) for organized recording and playback.
Single-capstan transport for stable tape transfer.
Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction to reduce tape hiss and improve dynamics.
HX Pro headroom extension for better recording quality, especially on metal tapes.
Automatic tape type detection (Normal/CrO2/Metal), so that the equalization and bias are automatically adjusted for optimal recording.
Digital tape counter & peak level meters for better control over recording levels.

Technical specifications

Feature Specification
Tape speed 4.76 cm/s (standard)
Supported tape types: Type I (Normal), CrO2 (Type II), Metal (Type IV)
Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz (Metal tape)
Signal-to-noise ratio ~76 dB (Dolby C)
Wow & flutter 0.05%
Total harmonic distortion ~1%
Input 50 mV (line)
Output 0.36 V (line)
Dimensions (W×H×D) 435 × 117 × 273 mm
Weight ~4.6 kg
Accessories
Optional: RS-K3 remote control

Sound quality & performance

The Yamaha KX-330 is known for a clear and dynamic sound, with Dolby systems effectively suppressing noise without losing too much fine detail. The deck delivers a pleasant sound with a wide frequency range, especially on metal tapes.

Physical & connection
Classic stereo line-RCA inputs and outputs.
No pitch control or auto-reverse (manual cassette flipping for the other side).
Robust metal casing with Yamaha’s Natural Sound design philosophy.