Tascam CD-BT1 "Bass Trainer" CD player device

[effclef]

Disappointment! Calamity! Gnashing of teeth!
 
Picked one up at a local dealer this afternoon, and on trying it, I am sorry to say I might have  a defective one.
 
First sign was new (additional) tape holding the machine in the bag. After unpacking, unplugging, and trying it out, I find that someone has highlighted the OUTPUT heading of the manual in yellow...
 
CD functions work fine. As for the slowdown feature, -8 and -16 are not too bad, but you get lots of DSP artifacts going any slower. But -8 and -16 seems slow enough for me for now.
 
However, it doesn't seem to amplify my bass enough to be worthwhile playing along with a CD! It makes me think someone zorched the input stage.
 
I tried with my bass, and also a friend's today, same effect.
 
I've got the input maxed and it's barely loud enough to practice with, having the CD off. If I try to practice with the CD, I need to set the MIX level to like -3, and max out the input level, or nearly so. Switching my (active) bass to the passive input doesn't do anything worthwhile, just increases distortion. In the active setting, there is some distortion, especially on a strong attack note. Effects settings do work, but they sound wimpy. With no effects, the sound of the bass is weak, and fairly thin.
 
Someone, please tell me their Tascam does better than this!
 
I am going to pop back to the dealer, probably tomorrow, and ask for a refund - or at least an exchange, since this was obviously an opened package. (Did you have to cut the blister pack open? Mine just popped open at the dots without resistance.)
 
If the bass input were up to snuff - so I can mix my bass at the same level as the original CD's bass - then I would keep it.
 
EffClef

[effclef]

OK, dealer couldn't find the second one they should have had in stock, so they are getting one in this week for me. I am going to try to give it a shot IN THE STORE and it better be an unopened package this time.  
 
I guess my question is this: with an active bass, in the active mode input, can you mix such that your bass is as loud, or louder than the CD, without distortion?
 
I am talking about with the EQ set flat, mix level at like 0, and input and output wheels at reasonable levels. CD Bass Boost (not Enhance) probably ON, as that seemed to really assist in picking the bass line out of the mix.  
 
Played alone (no CD), does the bass input sound loud and clear?
 
EffClef

[xlrogue6]

My Rogues produce plenty of clean level through mine--sounds like the one you got was someone else's problem child already.

[effclef]

Thanks, XL - I hope you're right. I would think that in a quiet room, you should hear the bass you're playing just fine, with plenty of tone. This one sounded weak and fairly thin. The effects (like autowah) seemed to track OK, which makes me think that it wasn't the input stage itself, but some later stage where the bass signal + DSP are mixed with the CD.  
 
What level do you set the input, output, and MIX settings to, with your Rogue?
 
I am already thinking that cabling up headphones, AC adapter, and instrument is going to be a little cumbersome. Perhaps mounting the unit on a mic stand would help. The footswitch is a good idea but if the replacement unit works properly, I'm already thinking of opening up the unit to rewire the footswitch to the I/O (loop) button instead of the CUE button, which is what I think I would use much more often.  
 
I wish Tascam had also assigned the > buttons such that a single press was search, and hold was skip tracks. I see myself backing up and skipping ahead much more often.  
 
Let me know what your levels are set to, that would help a lot. (Let me know if you use the EQ also.) Thanks!
 
EffClef

[xlrogue6]

Input and output levels are both right around 5 with the level switch in the active position.(In most circumstances I run my basses into passive rather than active inputsbecause I usually like the sound better that way.  The BT1 broke up a little too easily set to passive.)  Mix setting is factory default--never needed to adjust it.
 
Headphone selection undoubtedly makes a difference.  I'm using AKG K55s, which are somewhat bass heavy, which of course is why I bought them.
 
I run the BT1 EQ flat.  Minor experimentation with the EQ and FX sections during my learning curve phase yielded a verdict of never mind--YMMV.

[effclef]

Thanks, XL. It sure sounds like this one is defective. I'll make sure I can try it out in the store. My headphones are not the best but where the CD audio bass sounds fine, I would expect the instrument-bass to sound just as loud.  
 
EffClef