Recoton V-624 (1986)
The Recoton V-624 - often written simply as the V624, and sold under the name F.R.E.D. III - was a TV stereo (MTS) decoder with a small amplifier built in. HiFI-Stereo (August 1986, p.99) announced it at $199.95. It had all the features of the earlier V622, plus a 15-watt-per-channel amplifier and separate bass, treble, balance, and volume controls.
Like the earlier F.R.E.D. units, the V624 skipped the direct tuner connection. Its coupling probe picked up the stray i.f. signal leaking from any TV set, whatever channel the set was tuned to, and de-emphasis circuitry improved the audio signal-to-noise ratio. The front panel had four vertical sliders for volume, balance, bass, and treble. The rear apron held spring-loaded speaker-terminal clips, audio line outputs, and jacks for the probe. It had no SAP decoding, which the magazine judged a minor issue for most buyers.
In the magazine's test report (August 1986, p.54), 300-Hz stereo harmonic distortion at 100 percent modulation measured 0.32 percent with L=R (mono) modulation and dropped to 0.1 percent with L-R (stereo) modulation. The review also cautioned that the small amplifier could not support a maximum bass boost except at the lowest listening levels. It concluded that, MTS programming aside, the inexpensive V624 produced generally higher-quality sound on most programs, even the commercials.
Known facts at a glance:
- TV stereo decoder with built-in 15 W/ch amplifier — marketed as F.R.E.D. III
- Announced at $199.95 (August 1986)
- No SAP decoding
- Controls: four vertical sliders (volume, balance, bass, treble)
- Rear: spring-loaded speaker clips, audio line outputs, probe jacks
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