This Sony Walkman is in excellent condition, showing only a few small marks and signs of cosmetic wear, as depicted in the photos. All buttons are present and function correctly. The battery compartment is clean, the volume adjusts smoothly without crackling, and the unit operates as intended.
Product Description & Further Details:
This unit delivers great sound quality and exhibits very little wow and flutter (see information below). While there are some marks on the outer case, this is expected for an item of this age. Overall, it is in outstanding visual and working condition.
Work Completed on This Unit:
- All internal dirt and dust have been removed and cleaned.
- New belts fitted.
- New idlers installed where needed.
- New pinch rollers fitted or cleaned where necessary.
- Capstan cleaned and checked.
- Operational parts re-oiled and greased as required.
- Any dry solder joints have been re-soldered.
- Capacitors replaced where necessary.
- Contact cleaner applied to all switches, contacts, and potentiometers.
- Play head realigned where required (azimuth).
- Playback head and tape path demagnetised.
- Speed set using a lab reference tape and oscilloscope.
- Full external sanitation and cleaning completed.
- Any other bespoke servicing or repairs done as needed.
- All functions checked wherever possible.
Please Note:
The unit is fully operational and functions as intended. Everything shown in the pictures is included and accurately represents its condition. I have done my best to describe the item thoroughly.
Wow and Flutter:
Wow and flutter refer to the wavering of a reproduced tone or group of tones, caused by irregularities in the tape drive speed during recording, duplication, or playback. For instance, changes in the capstan's angular velocity or dragging of the tape audio cassette shell can contribute to this effect. The terms "wow" and "flutter" are often described together, with flutter being a higher-rate version of wow.
All tape players inherently have some level of wow and flutter, and manufacturers usually specify their measured tolerance for specific players when new. Be cautious of any claims of zero wow and flutter in these units when purchasing. Various factors can increase wow and flutter, primarily due to age and usage. Some common causes include dirty or dry moving parts, such as the capstan, capstan bearings, pinch rollers, heads, and the motor wheel, especially after a belt change. Additionally, worn belts, their size, quality, and pinch roller issues can significantly affect performance. All potential causes of wow and flutter are meticulously checked during refurbishments.
Deformations in the cassette compartment can also be a factor, depending on the quality of the cassette you use. I always recommend performing a full rewind (REW) and fast forward (FF) on older tapes before playing, as this can help improve playback quality.
