Feature:
Rack mounting hardware.
Quality:
It does contain a linear power supply with a heavy transformer. The display unit is foggy. Very loud, clunky tape handling makes longevity seem unlikely.
Value:
No.
Desirability:
Rack mounting rates high. It looks and feels cheap. My 20 year old Teac deck is made much better.
Sound:
The 102 MKII is used for shortwave utility work. It does have excellent signal to noise, and wow and flutter. Also, it is advertised as having two motors, the included manual states one motor, and I believe the manual. The front of the unit is all plastic, providing little or no shielding. It seems the VU meters are probably out of calibration.The display unit is foggy. Tape handling is loud and cluncky. This deck does not deserve the "professional" moniker.
Support:
I emailed Tascam about the "two motor" advertising two days ago, and have had no reply thus far.
Overall:
I would not buy another Tascam product. Signal to noise was my highest requirement, but I would be willing to sacrifice that for better overall quality. I wish I knew it had 1) two motors, 2) a metal face-plate, 3) a smoother tape handling system 4) better harmonic distortion (unspecified by manufacturer). Best parameter is S/N ratio. I feel robbed.
