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For tape playback, connect the cassette deck’s LINE OUT/PLAY L and R jacks to a matching analog stereo input on the receiver, then select that input. Use the receiver’s TAPE PB/TAPE IN jacks if it has them; otherwise, use a compatible analog RCA input such as AUDIO. Turn both components off before connecting.
What you need for playback
- A cassette deck with paired analog LINE OUT or PLAY jacks.
- An available analog stereo input on the receiver.
- A stereo RCA cable that fits the jacks on both components.
Labels vary by model. The Yamaha KX-690 manual describes connecting its LINE OUT/PLAY jacks to a receiver’s Tape PB (Playback/Input) jacks, while a newer Yamaha RX-A4A manual documents analog audio connections for an audio device. Check your receiver’s manual and rear panel rather than assuming it has dedicated tape inputs.
Connect the deck for tape playback
- Turn off the receiver and cassette deck. Yamaha’s KX-690 manual instructs users to switch off both components before connecting them.
- Find the playback jacks. Locate the deck’s LINE OUT/PLAY L and R jacks and an available analog stereo input on the receiver. Use TAPE PB or TAPE IN if available, or a compatible analog input such as AUDIO.
- Connect the stereo RCA cable. Connect deck L to receiver L and deck R to receiver R. On the paired cables described in Yamaha’s KX-690 manual, white is left and red is right.
- Turn on the components and select the receiver input that you used. Start playback on the cassette deck. The input-selection steps and wording depend on the receiver.
For the connection layout, see the Yamaha KX-690 owner’s manual and the Yamaha RX-A4A owner’s manual.
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Use an analog stereo input that accepts the deck’s left and right RCA line-level signal. A dedicated TAPE PB/TAPE IN input is suitable for playback when present. If there is no tape input, an available analog RCA input labeled AUDIO or AV may work; confirm the receiver’s manual for the specific input and how to select it.
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Do not connect the deck’s analog line output to a digital optical or coaxial input, or to a receiver’s PHONO input. Those are different connection categories in the manuals, not the analog stereo input described for this hookup. If the receiver has no compatible analog stereo input, check both manuals for the actual connector types before purchasing an adapter or converter; there is no single conversion solution established for every model.
Add a connection for recording onto cassette
Playback and recording use separate signal paths. To record audio from the receiver onto tape, connect the receiver’s REC OUT or tape recording outputs L/R to the deck’s LINE IN/REC L/R jacks. This usually requires a second stereo RCA cable. The connection is possible only if the receiver has recording outputs; check its rear panel and manual. Denon and Yamaha manuals show these as separate playback and recording connections.
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See the Denon AVR-2106 owner’s manual and Yamaha KX-690 owner’s manual for examples of the distinct signal paths. Receiver capabilities and labels differ by model.
If there is no sound or you hear hum
No sound
- Confirm the receiver is set to the input connected to the deck.
- Check that the cable runs from the deck’s LINE OUT/PLAY jacks to the receiver’s analog input, not from the deck’s LINE IN/REC jacks.
- Check that left and right are connected to their matching jacks at both ends.
- Consult the receiver manual to verify that the selected input is an analog stereo input and learn its input-selection procedure.
Hum
The Denon AVR-886 manual suggests moving the tape deck farther from the source of the noise. This is a troubleshooting step, not a guarantee that distance will resolve every cause of hum. See the Denon AVR-886 owner’s manual.
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