Its unlikely (although not impossible!) that its anything to do with the head, as the head is also combined for video purposes, so there would have to be some comprehensive tests done to find out where the fault is originating, in other words like for instance playing back any tape you record in another machine, or your machine playing back something recorded in another camcorder, as it has to be positively determined if the cutting out is during the recording process or just purely on playback. (that is even although cutting out might not be observed via the monitor during recording) Its not beyond the bounds of possibility that a bad internal connection on one of the boards exists, that is to name but one possibility!, so with the camcorder sitting in the camera mode (no tape inserted) and with some source of audio nearby (e.g: radio), preferably with the aid of headphones monitoring whats being picked up by the microphone, carefully jolt the side / bottom of the camcorder and listen for any audio glitches, as if you dont observe anything that cuts that possibility out. This kind of problem really requires a two way "off" web. (i.e: e-mail)