Just got this tested.

It records on Analog and digital AC and on optical, I checked playback on analog only.
I think the test tape was "new", it had nothing recorded on it when I started.
TAPE NOT INCLUDED. It isn't even mine.

Things were a little confusing at first (I did NOT look for and read a manual and did not test everything!)
It appears to be signal sensing and if the recording sucks, it drops out.
The first recoding was analog signal from FM and I did not have the level set to MAX indicator level.
The recording must have been crap because the playback kept dropping out.

On optical, it must self set to MAX level and it worked perfectly on playback. The level adjustment dose not change the level, so I assume it adjusts itself!

I had to re-try digital RCA because the Metallica DVD has a "forbidden" signal that made the player NOT record it. When I went to a regular CD, the digital RCA worked perfect and I set the input level to MAX indicator level.

The tape transport seems to work fine. From what I read, that is the one place that can be troublesome. The door must be missing a clip, it does not pull the door shut. The door shutting is reason enough to call it PARTS NOT WORKING!

Case is scratched up. This was a recycler rescue.

NO REMOTE, NO MANUAL, JUST WHAT YOU SEE.

I think it will work well and you can enjoy some quality time with it.

But it is NOT new and you should not expect perfect, OK?

Thank you.