RCA RP5013 Digital Voice Recorder

While the device is easy to use and set up (time etc), the sound quality, even in the highest mode (HQ) is horrendous. I used the device in a dead quiet room (no white noise etc in background) and the playback of any and all recordings is almost painful to the ears. There is some sort of screeching electrical noise which is made worse when you put headphones in as the electric resistance is actually audible. I am returning this device and warn you against purchasing this device. In all honesty the playback is worse than that of older microcassette recorders as the feedback and electric noises are less sharp on those and muted.

Hello,

I agree with the other reviewers: the sound quality on this item is inexcusably poor.

After 30 years of playing with sound gear, part of that as a professional sound technician, I can say this is the worst-sounding piece of recording equipment I have ever laid hands on, and I include in that assessment a vintage 1988 Casio SK-1 8-bit sampling mini-keyboard. With a half-decent external mic and recording on "High Quality," the level of warble and self-noise is almost bearable. Almost. I honestly don't know what kind of diabolical mind distributes a product this annoying for sale to paying customers. It should have been decked out in cartoon colors and given away for free in cereal boxes. But since RCA (whoever that storied brand name belongs to now) saw fit to go to market with this abomination, it will be the last RCA item I buy for a long time.

I was wondering where to find the specs for this device, but then I realized no company in its right mind would publish them. It would be like publishing a picture of yourself committing murder.

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