The Personal Hi-Fi Blog: Sanyo JJ-P101

Sanyo Quarter JJ

Headphone Cassette Player JJ-P101

Player Highlights:

- Touch Panel controls.

- Full Remote Control.

- 10 Min. Charge for 2-hour playback.

- B.R.S.S. System.

- Dolby NR.

- Electronic Auto-Reverse.

- Compatibility with Metal tapes.

Sanyo Quarter JJ-P101 is a one of a kind Cassette player to have a sensitive Touch Function that uses a sensitive thin film technology instead of the regular touch buttons operation, it was first introduced in Japan in early 1989 but just two years later to the rest of the world, although it uses this top innovative feature, the JJ-P101 player is a very simple player, without any hi-end sound qualities as expected, although it sounds good, it has a very narrow frequency response, limited to 63Hz~10,000Hz, it is quite similar to players of that period (like the 1989 Aiwa HS-PX30), however, compare to other players in its range to have a Frequency Response of at least 40~12,000Hz (like the 1985s Aiwa HS-G8). There is also another downside to the JJ-P101, his amplifier is quite low, just 5mW per channel, compared to other brands which have between 15mW or 20mW per channel (like the aiwa 1989s HS-PX30 or the HS-G8, etc.). Quite surprisingly, considering its low Amp level the B.R.S.S. does a very good job and delivers a very smooth low bass with a nice presence, just right not too boomy like other brands offer. Also, it has very simple logic control functions, for example; it only remembers functions, and it wasn't programmed to think, for example; if you accidentally press the wrong button, or if you press fast-forward while playing a tape, for any function you need to engage you will need to press stop beforehand, otherwise, you'll damage the tape or the player. Just like the Aiwa HS-PX30, the JJ-P101 has pleasing electronic tones to confirm your tape operations.

B.R.S.S. system (Bass Raised Sound System)*

Until now the most serious problem that portable players had was the poor response of the bass frequencies. This little response was mainly due to the small dimensions of the speakers or headphones. To solve this problem, Sanyo incorporates the B.R.S.S. (Bass Raised Sound System*) that emphasizes these frequencies. With this, the resulting sound is more dynamic and deep.

* For the world version, the bass system is called E.B.S.S. (Extended Bass Sound System).

Full Logic Control Auto-Reverse.

The JJ-P101 is a full-logic portable player that remembers his current state, meaning, the "Logic" system ensures that when you press Fast Forward, the player will always move forward, regardless of which side of the tape is currently playing. Sanyo Full Logic prevents the activation of the "wrong button" therefore any faulty operation is prevented. The logic control circuit remembers which buttons have been pushed but permits only the correct sequence of machine operations to occur, thus eliminating any chance of operator-control error (damage to the unit itself). With this important feature of Logic Control, the FastForward or Rewind button can't be pressed at any time without going first to the STOP mode therefore without damaging the tape or the machine.

Rechargeable batteries.

One of the most common drawbacks of portable players is the high energy consumption that forces you to constantly change batteries. In the models of the JJ and ES series, it can be used together with the normal battery, a rechargeable battery that is supplied with the appliance and that allows continuous operation for up to 15 hours depending on the model. In the vast majority of portable players, you have to remove the battery when you have to charge it. Sanyo, on the other hand, has designed a direct charging system that allows the rechargeable battery to be recharged in approximately one hour, without having to remove it from its compartment. The supplied AC adapter makes this operation extremely easy. Rechargeable battery in 1h Charge provides 13 hours of continuous playback.

Sanyo Japanese Portable Catalog 1989

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Maxell XLII-S The Height of Precision and Performance

- Superior results with moderate-intensity music, especially when quiet backgrounds are vital.

- Recommended for recording CDs, direct-cut and digitally mastered LPs

- Use with highest quality stereo systems and components.

- Heavier SS-PA (Super Silent-Phase Accuracy) cassette shell for smoother tape handling, and improved sound quality.

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Controls on Touch Panel display.

The JJ-P101 has the operating controls located on the cassette front and in the form of a Touch Panel which replaces the conventional keys, allowing more precise operation.

Double Azimuth Head.

Thanks to Sanyo's JJ-P101 unique Double Azimuth head you can now enjoy a clearer and more dynamic sound, no matter which side the tape plays the head will always keep aligned to the tape feed providing a crisp and precise Hi-fidelity sound reproduction.