Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) includes a holder compartment (10) for a record carrier (2), a cover (13) which can be closed by hand against spring force to close the holder compartment (10), and a latching member (20) for retaining the cover (13) in the closed position, which latching member is movable by hand against spring force to release the cover (13). When the latching member (20) is actuated by hand to release the cover (13), electrical switching means (31) switches off electrical devices (30) of the apparatus (1) and keeps said devices switched off while the cover (13) is open. The switching means (31) includes a single switch (32) whose switching contacts (33, 34) are set to a first switching state when the cover (13) is closed, in which state the electrical devices (30) can be switched on, and which assume a second switching state when the cover (13) is open, in which second switching state the electrical devices (30) are switched off.