The Denon DR-M24HX is a mid to high level tape deck built in 1988 It has a frequency response of 25-20,000 Hz (Metal/Type IV), signal to noise ratio of 73db (dolby C), and has a 3 head, dual capstan transport with 2 motors (the spec website says 2, and it doesn't list 3 motors on the tape window, as a feature). It also has fine bias tuning to calibrate your type of tape, for recording, and HX PRO to extend your dynamic headroom. This is obviously, a great tape deck, that has everything most enthusiasts could want, shy of a Nakamichi that can produce a high-end frequency response of 20,000 Hz out of cheap ferric bias tapes (which older pre-recorded tapes had as standard..until about the late 1980's, when chrome tapes became standard)! With all of that said, this is still an analog format, and listening to my cheap, ferric based, pre-recorded tapes is a little disappointing. I'm so used to digital CD and online sources such as Spotify, that I kind of went "Wow, really?" when I put my first tape in. I'm glad to be able to play my old tapes, that are not available digitally (on the internet, or otherwise), and there is definitely something positive to be said for that, but even if you purchase a good quality tape deck like this Denon, that I just purchased, don't expect it to sound like the digital sound you are probably used to...with your old pre-recorded ferric tapes. Now, regarding chrome, pre-recorded tapes, they are a big improvement in sound quality over ferric...very close to digital sound, and this tape deck is the way to go if you have an extensive collection of tapes from the late eighties on up. I'm sure this deck is also the one to get, if you want to record from CD/digital sources to chrome or metal grade tapes. It is 3 head, so you can monitor your input source, after it is recorded unto the tape (you"re actually listening to the tape itself play, as you're recording)! I'm going to record some digitally-based sources on to tape format, and I wanted a high quality deck to accomplish that with, and this deck will do that like a champ. This deck cost me only $130. out the door, on ebay, and I have no regrets in spending that amount on a deck that was $450. back in 1988, when it was new. The control layout is full-logic, easy to understand, and also, the appearance of this deck is nice too! I like the black front panel, with flourescent meters, and the rosewood imitation side..very beautiful. Get a high-end Denon like the model 24, and you can get started converting your old tapes unto CD's, load into your computer, and then transfer unto your phone/hand-held device!