Unit sent back and refunded, though less than straightforward, seller not happy, but all sorted.

Just purchased another JVC HR-S9600EU in good condition and at a good price. Will take several days before I receive it. Hope this one works with the UK mains. I dread powering it up to be honest in case I get the same issue but I have never seen an EK model for sale anywhere.

Wish me luck!

Received the unit today. Powers up fine.

Very occasonal slight bearding on captions, end credits, anything close to peak white. I suspect the white clip level in the luminance circuit, where the AGC circuit clips peak luminance, is set a touch too high and needs a slight tweak to get rid of it.

Anyone know where in the VCR this adjustment can be tweaked on the HR-S9600EU? Is it a pot somewhere or is it handled electronically and tweakable only via a special remote commander?

JVC decks do use a special service remote for some settings, though I haven't been able to find any white clip or FM level adjustment in the service manual, so I don't know if it's possible.

Also have some slight bearding issue, mainly with SVHS on a Philips and a JVC SVHS vcr, so also curious if anyone were to find something.