The Personal Hi-Fi Blog: 2021

AIWA HS-JX505

Stereo Radio Cassette Recorder

In 1990 AIWA has introduced the world's first advanced and innovative All-in-one AM/FM/TV worldwide tuning recorder with the BBE System a unique and versatile personal stereo for an attractive price of 39,800 Yen.

The AIWA HS-JX505/JX50 Evolved into an advanced worldwide model, it is A versatile model with BBE System that allows you to enjoy synths and professional sounds.

Recording & playback auto-reverse with 10 minutes fast charging, 15-Presets worldwide tuner with Multi-function sounding all packed in a small unit.

A Multi-functional Tuner

Direct 5 stations preset memory. Each band (AM/FM/TV) has 5 stations, and a total of 15 stations can be preset to memory. What's more, you can immediately call up a memory station and enjoy crystal clear reception.

Use our advanced radio overseas. Professional Sound BBE Multi-functional CassetteBoy is now international. Further advanced, auto-reset memory that allows presets from any station and multi-functional "sound". It is an advanced mechanism that automatically creates preset memory from any broadcasting station with the touch of a button. In addition to the preset numbers, he is also equipped with a multi-functional sound that tells you the tape running direction and the radio and TV scan status (VHF) all with a pleasant sound.

AIWA HS-JX505 5 Radio Presets world clock

A world clock that shows the time in the world with the touch of a button. In addition to the worldwide support for enjoying AM-FM-TV broadcasting overseas, it is equipped with a world clock that allows you to see the time in major cities around the world with a button. In addition, this multi-time display is packed with various functions such as the receiving station display, recording elapsed time, and all tape operation status display.

Professional BBE Sound System

Advanced Sound Features

Professional BBE Sound system*.

The BBE sound processing system gives exceptional definition and clarity to sound reproduction.

By making phase correction and adjusting frequency variables depending on the input signal, BBE processing brings out the special character of vocals and solo instruments. BBE operates by dividing the input signal into three bands - low, mid-range, and high. Correction is then made for high-frequency level drop caused by impedance variation from amplifier-speaker interaction. This assures an accurate balance between mid-range and high frequency, as well as the entire frequency spectrum. In combination with AIWA’s original DSL circuitry, the result is the creation of highly defined sound with full, rich bass response. Aiwa equipped the small body with the professional use function that had been used only in sound studios. Now, the same effect can be enjoyed. *BBE and the symbol mark BBE, are trademarks of BBE Sound Inc. This product is a licensed product of BBE SOUND INCORPORATED.

Aiwa HS-JX505 accompanied with the prestige AXIA XD-Master - Metal Tape

AXIA Master Series - rare Japanese Ads

AIWA's Dynamic Super Loudness

Though the HS-JX505/JX50 is a mere 240 grams (including battery) and only 28.8mm thick, the sound quality is superb thanks to AlWA’s DSL (dynamic super loudness) circuit which assures naturally sounding bass automatically varying the amount of enhancement depending on signal input levels.

Dolby Noise Reduction Playback
High-quality component decks can make tapes recorded with Dolby noise reduction for less playback hiss and greater fidelity. The HS-JX505/JX50 lets you enjoy these benefits when playing Dolby NR encoded tapes because there's a switchable Dolby NR playback circuit. You get top sound quality right from your pocket.

Advanced Cassette Capabilities

Bi-Azimuth Head Alignment*

This new feature automatically compensates for head alignment inaccuracies which are common to auto-reverse tape drive systems with fixed heads. When the tape reverses direction, its position shifts slightly, causing a shift in azimuth, the relative angle of the tape to the head. In either tape direction, absolutely precise azimuth alignment is essential for optimum response, particularly in the high frequencies. To assure this, the Bi-azimuth Head Alignment automatically adjusts the head to the proper position relative to the tape in each direction. Bi-azimuth Head Alignment is found on selected higher-priced models. *Available only in early versions of the HS-JX505/JX50. (more on that in the technical part).

Fine Gap Amorphous Alloy HX head. Amorphous alloy displays

exceptionally high maximum magnetic flux density, outstanding signal linearity, and minimal noise generation. Add to this a remarkable hardness for extra durability and you have one of the finest heads available. The HS-JX505/JX50 uses a slightly peaked contact surface to achieve greater signal linearity, particularly in low bass frequencies, for clearer, more accurate signal reproduction. Unlike most metals that have a uniform atomic configuration, an amorphous alloy is a non-crystalline material with a nonspecific, non-directional atomic configuration. It can display such ideal characteristics as a high maximum magnetic flux density, outstanding signal linearity, and minimal generation of electromagnetic noise when utilized as head material. Add to this a remarkable hardness for extra durability, and you have the finest head available.

3-Phase Full-wave Motor. Produces high sound quality due to stable

rotation. Smart playback - Regardless of the front and back of the tape, FF for fast forward and REW button for rewind. For easier operation. Recreation memory - Memorize the running direction of the tape before it stops. When played again, it will start from the last run before the stop. Quick Auto-Reverse even for recording.

Full Remote control for all Functions. The JX505/JX50 comes with a wired remote control RC-J50 for all tape functions including; Play, Rew, FF, Reverse, Record, and even a mono A microphone that lets you dictate to. The RC-J50 also has some Tuner functions like AM/FM/TV switch, Tuning Up/Down, Volume control, and even a Headphone socket. To prevent accidental operation the RC-J50 has a hold switch. all packed in a lightweight and compact design.

RC-J50 Full remote control and its unique plug

Other Fine Features

• Flex charging • 10 minutes fast charging • Super Charging Cradle.
• 24mW high power • AIWA's Pipe phone.

• Low Sound leakage ear pad (40% reduction) included.

• Metal tape compatible (for playback).
• 3-Way Auto-Reverse and Reverse Recording.

• Recording/playback auto-reverse • Multi-function sounding.
• Full remote control • Timer recording • Sleep timer.
• Sleep prevention alarm • Direction memory Easy operation System.
• One-touch speaker SC-H5 compatible.

• Two colors offered Black and Titanium Silver.

Rare AXIA (FUJI) Master Series Brochure

Left: Battery Compartment. Right: JX505 in its leather-like case.

Special Features

In 1990 when AIWA introduced the HS-JX50 In Japan it was offered in two colors; Black and Titanium Silver, At the same time, Aiwa also introduced the HS-EX50/JX2000 which is exactly the same unit but in a limited edition gold color to commemorate Aiwa's 10^th anniversary.

AIWA has made two versions of this hi-end model; one was offered with a Bi-Azimuth head and the other with a Fixed Head. The HS-JX50 was initially designed with the bi-azimuth feature (based on a-2 transport from 1989), however, later they were replaced with a new version of Fixed Head (based on a-2J Transport).

AIWA HS-JX50 Bi-Azimuth Head (Titanium Silver)

Bi-Azimuth head (also known as Double Azimuth head) offers very high and accurate Hi-Fidelity sound reproduction. On the other hand, Fixed Heads are not equal because they are compromising the reproduction of the original sound quality. since they are manufactured as fixed heads they cannot be adjusted as they are set in a plastic house, therefore, they cannot be accurate enough like the Double azimuth heads. If one considers himself a Hi-fi aficionado, his first choice would be to have a Double Azimuth unit.

AIWA HS-JX505 Fixed Head (Black)

The initial JX50/JX505 version was actually manufactured for a period of 9 months beginning from January 1989 thru September 1990, later on, they were replaced with a fixed head from September 1990 and on. In most cases, you would consider this as an upgrade, but in this case, it is surely a downgrade.

Besides omitting the bi-azimuth, AIWA also discontinued the Titanium Silver color after just nine months, therefore, all Titanium Silver models only have the double azimuth feature.

If we look into the serial number on the units, they indicate that so-called upgrade and when they took place. You can see that the last recorded bi-azimuth units have serial # of Z008xxxxxx, (the first three figures are '008'; the first one, represent the year, the other two represent the months. reads; 0 = 1990, and 08 = August) these are the latest serial# for the Bi-Azimuth Head that we can find.

All units afterward without the Bi-Azimuth, their serial numbers date from September 1990 thru December 1991; the serials start from Z009xxxxxx thru Z112xxxxxx.

The reason for these changes was an executive decision due to budget cuts, at this period in time Sony was in the process of taking over AIWA co. furthermore, at this period a meaningful decision took place for replacing the Aiwa logo from upper case lettering: 'AIWA' to lower case lettering: 'aiwa', this decision was symbolic and reflects the Sony takeover of Aiwa, which was the last nail in the coffin.

It is unclear to me, why would AIWA (ie Sony) go for such a length to change an already manufactured product? It seems to me, that such changes are far more costly. Anyhow, in my opinion, and other aficionados it's a poor decision. Even though this looks like a matter of improvement and probable insignificant to consumers, AIWA (and Sony) engineers had to go back to the drawing board to redesigned this model, they had to make some very radical changes to the a-2J tape transport, the whole gear assembly had to be replaced not to mention the PC Board itself. Of course that all we have discussed above also apply to the EX50/JX2000 golden versions as well, there are quite a few HS-EX50 (Japan) with double azimuth and others with fixed heads in the same manner. More info on the Bi-Azimuth feature you can read in my article "Is It All in Your Head?" here

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Catalogs, Brochures, and Ads.

(Smaller pictures are the catalog covers)