Ricatech R-PR85-UK 80's Tape Recorder - Cassette Player - MW/SW & FM Radio - MP3 Play-back (SD Card & USB Stick) - Microphone Recording to Tape (Mains Electric or Battery) - UK Plug Model (Package 1)

There are two very unwanted background noises. The first comes from the machine being turned on but on standby mode - this is a like a quiet, constant buzzing sound. The second noise comes when the actual cassette is playing - this is a much louder humming sound. Both sounds make listening to a story tape or music tape an uncomfortable and disappointing experience. The refund/return process is not easy either. I've tried twice, but have now given up. My sound and honest advice would be: DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.

Was quite pleased with this Ricatech. It's a good handy little player and radio. And as I still have a lot of old cassettes that I've held on to then I'm enjoying listening to them again. There is a slight flaw in that when I actually record the radio straight on to cassette tape, the playback doesn't sound that good. The best I can describe, and I've tried it several times, is that when recording music from the radio onto cassette it sounds similar to the sound when you're playing a radio with it's batteries very low and about to die out. Oddly enough it seems to record talking shows on the radio. But it seems to have a problem recording music. But as I've got so many tapes to enjoy I'm not too fussed about this flaw. I had hoped that it might have had a tone button. But it doesn't. But I'm still pleased with it. One final thing I managed to do was to remove the 8 watt speaker and replace it with a same size 10 watt speaker just to slightly improve the sound. But of course it does add an extra bit of weight, so even more pleased with it. I would also have to say that it plays my old tapes, some of which were shop bought prerecorded, much better than the ones you might make by recording on this machine. I would also like to add that I don't get a humming sound when the cassette is playing, as was mentioned in a review by another Amazon customer. But yes there is a faint humming sound when you switch off the radio and cassette, which is why they have put a handy light switch close to the product on the actual electric lead. This then stops any humming sounds when not in use.