This Sony Walkman is in fantastic condition apart from some tiny marks and signs of cosmetic wear, as seen in the photos. All buttons are present and work as they should; the battery compartment is clean, and the volume raises/lowers without crackle and is fully operational.
Product Description and Further Details:
There is no belt clip on this unit, and it's missing the left-hand lid cassette guide; however, this has little effect on the look, operation or usability. This Sony Walkman is in excellent working condition with only a few marks on the outer casing, typical for its age. Overall, it looks great and functions perfectly, delivering fantastic sound quality with very minimal wow and flutter (explained in detail below).
Work Completed on This Unit:
- All internal dirt and dust have been removed and cleaned.
- New belts have been fitted
- New idlers have been installed where needed.
- New pinch rollers have been fitted or cleaned as needed.
- Capstan cleaned and checked.
- Operational parts have been re-oiled/greased where necessary.
- Any dry solder joints have been re-soldered.
- Capacitors have been replaced where needed.
- Contact cleaner has been applied to all switches, contacts, and potentiometers.
- The play head has been realigned where necessary (azimuth).
- Playback head and tape path have been demagnetised.
- Speed has been set with a lab reference tape and oscilloscope.
- Full external sanitisation and cleaning have been done.
- Any other bespoke servicing or repairs as required have been completed.
- All functions have been checked where possible.
Please Note:
The unit is fully operational and functions as intended. Everything shown in the pictures is included and accurately represents the unit's condition. I have made every effort to describe the item to the best of my ability.
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. This can result from changes in the angular velocity of the capstan or issues like the dragging of the cassette shell. The terms "wow" and "flutter" are often mentioned together, with flutter being a higher-rate version of wow.
All tape players have some degree of wow and flutter, and most manufacturers indicate their measured tolerance for specific players when new. Be cautious of claims of zero wow and flutter when purchasing these units. Various factors can increase wow and flutter, primarily due to age and usage, such as dirty or dry moving parts, including the capstan, pinch rollers, heads, and motor wheel—especially after a belt change. Worn belts, size, quality, and pinch roller issues are also significant causes of wow and flutter. All these potential causes are meticulously checked during my refurbishment process. Additionally, deformations in the cassette compartment can lead to issues, but this depends on the quality and condition of the cassette used. I always recommend performing a complete rewind and fast forward of an older tape before playing, which can help minimise playback issues.
