Tape deck produces terrific sound quality. It has a linear digital counter that is not listed in the manual, so unless you are a professional, you have no idea how it works or exactly how to benefit from it. If you need a REAL time counter (that counts by seconds), forget it. The linear counter is often used for professionals, so Sony tells me, but this is a home audio unit, and the counter has absolutely NO value to the average consumer. Also, it is difficult to determine which buttons are the play buttons, and the reverse buttons often make you lose your place on the tap because it constantly switches your tape to the other side.