Released around 1990, the JVC XD-Z507 was a domestic Digital Audio Tape recorder produced during the early 1990s, a period when DAT was being positioned as a high quality digital recording format for serious home audio use. Manufactured from 1990 to 1995, the JVC XD-Z507 sat within JVC’s consumer DAT range and carried an original price of approximately 1,798 DM, placing it firmly above entry level cassette and CD playback equipment of the period.
The JVC XD-Z507 used the R-DAT recording format and supported the main sampling modes associated with domestic DAT operation. It could record and play at 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 32 kHz, with the 32 kHz LP mode providing extended recording time. It also supported 44.1 kHz wide track playback, allowing compatibility with certain pre-recorded or externally produced DAT material. As a digital recorder, it was designed to handle both analogue and digital sources, with optical and coaxial digital connections allowing direct digital transfer where compatible equipment was available.
Conversion was handled through JVC’s 1-bit Delta Sigma A/D conversion for analogue recording and 1-bit PEM-DD D/A conversion for playback. This placed the JVC XD-Z507 in line with the digital conversion technology being promoted by Japanese hi-fi manufacturers at the start of the 1990s, as DAT decks moved from professional and semi-professional use into domestic audio systems.
The recorder included SCMS compatibility, reflecting the copy management requirements applied to consumer DAT machines. It also featured Auto ID Edit, allowing track IDs to be written or adjusted for easier navigation. A sampling monitor function was included, along with a 20-segment digital level display with peak hold, giving the user a clear indication of recording level and transient peaks. These functions were especially important on DAT, where excessive recording levels could result in hard digital clipping rather than the more gradual saturation associated with analogue tape.
Operationally, the JVC XD-Z507 was equipped for integration into a JVC system, with COMPU LINK and SYNCHRO facilities. It also supported timer recording and timer playback, and was supplied with remote control operation. The combination of front panel digital metering, digital input/output, selectable recording modes and system control functions made it a capable domestic DAT recorder for users who wanted digital recording alongside CD and hi-fi separates.
Features
- R-DAT digital audio tape recorder
- 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 32 kHz recording and playback support
- 32 kHz LP mode for extended recording time
- 44.1 kHz wide track playback support
- SCMS copy management compatibility
- 1-bit Delta Sigma A/D conversion
- 1-bit PEM-DD D/A conversion
- Auto ID Edit function
- 20-segment digital level display with peak hold
- Optical and coaxial digital input and output connections