A cassette recorder amplifier system with a two stage preamplifier having direct current forward feed from the first to the second stage and direct current feedback from the second to the first stage to cause the second stage to operate without overloading as an input stage. The power amplifier has high direct current feedback and lower alternating current feedback for better linearity and more gain. Switch circuits and extra input terminals provide for recording on recording, aural monitoring of recording, and higher speed on fast forward and reverse.