This Sony Walkman is in excellent condition, with only minor cosmetic wear evident in the photos. All buttons are intact and function properly. The battery compartment is clean, and the volume adjusts smoothly without any crackling. Overall, it is fully operational and functions as intended.
Product Description & Further Details:
The playback quality is outstanding, exhibiting very little wow and flutter (details below). Given its age, this unit is in remarkable visual and operational condition.
Work Completed on This Unit:
- All internal dirt and dust have been removed and cleaned.
- New belts have been installed.
- New idlers have been fitted where necessary.
- Pinch rollers have been cleaned or replaced as required.
- The capstan has been cleaned and checked.
- Re-oiling and greasing were performed where necessary.
- The play head has been realigned (azimuth adjustment).
- The playback head and tape path have been demagnetised.
- Speed has been calibrated using a lab reference tape and oscilloscope.
- A thorough external sanitisation and cleaning was completed.
- The silver trim has been tastefully and expertly touched up.
- All functions were checked where possible.
Please Note:
The unit is fully operational and works as expected. Everything shown in the pictures is included and reflects its condition. I have endeavoured to describe the item accurately.
Wow and Flutter:
Wow and flutter refer to the wavering in a reproduced tone or group of tones caused by irregularities in tape drive speed during recording, duplication, or playback. For example, changes in the angular velocity of the capstan or drag from the tape audio cassette shell can cause these issues. Generally, wow and flutter are measured together, with flutter representing a higher-rate version of wow. All tape players experience some level of wow and flutter, and most manufacturers specify their measured tolerance for specific players when they are new, so be cautious of any claims suggesting a unit has no wow and flutter.
Several factors can increase wow and flutter, usually related to age and use. These include dirty or dry moving parts (such as the capstan, pinch rollers, heads, and motor wheel), as well as issues with worn belts and poor-quality pinch rollers. All potential causes are meticulously checked during my refurbishments. Additionally, deformations in the cassette compartment can contribute to these issues, but this depends on the quality of the specific cassette used. I recommend performing a full rewind and fast forward of older tapes before playing them to help mitigate these effects.
