Sony TPS-L2

Hi,

I’ve gotten into cassettes by coincidence as I’ve listened to a Panasonic boom box (with equalizer) via my headphones (B&O H6) and I really liked the sound. I’ve then found a vintage Sony TPS-L2 which I’ve researched and now considering restoring. A couple of questions:
1) How is the sound quality of the TPS-L2? Knowing that it’s the first Walkman I imagine that it’s not the most sophisticated and specs aren’t great either. Would I be able to get a decent sound out of it if restored? I’ve researched it a bit and I understand that the DD is probably the better sounding one.
2) I came across some instructions about restoring it, I have some basic repair skills: is it something I can do by myself (including head calibration etc) or is it better left to an expert?

I would love to hear your thoughts on the above, thanks !!

 

1. There are 2 major downsides to the TPS-L2 in regard to sound:
- wow&flutter is on the high side: do expect a value between 0.2% WRMS and 0.3% WRMS depending on belt used. Depending on the type of music you listen to, this can be completely unusable or very acceptable.
- frequency response only goes to 12kHz on the upper side, which will be audible when you compare it to other walkmans;
- no real EQ on it, unless you change some component values inside it; meaning it will not play chrome and metal correctly;

2. In regard to restoring it, you will need the following:
- new belts;
- new rubber tires (these are very important to get replaced);
- new pinch roller (almost always needs replacement);
- cleaning and re-lubrication fo rotating parts;
- in some cases, capacitors may need replacement;

I suggest looking here:


and in my signature link in order to see how pinch roller is replaced (it is the WM-3 I show there, but it is mostly identical to the TPS-L2).
Note that the guy in the video is only replacing the belts and doing nothing else, which is not a proper restoration, despite it does work.
If you can repair it yourself or not, only you can decide that, as it depends on your repair skills and I do not know what those are.

WM-DDs are clearly better: wow&flutter is so low that you won't hear it even with the most demanding music, frequency response goes to 15kHz, output power is higher on some of them.
However, these are even more involved to restore properly. I suggest again looking at the links in my signature for common problems regarding them.

 

Thanks a lot for sharing, really informative video!

 

Well @Valentin has covered all the bases on your question. Generally anything with a belt will not sound as good as a DD Walkman unless of course it's a WM-D6 or D6C Walkman Professional but then most enthusiasts exclude those as non portable headphone stereos. I have the same issue with my Aiwa players which are beautiful to have and hold and packed with features. Some with 5 band GEQ sound wonderful unless you can't abide wow and flutter and you notice it no matter what you're listening to. So I would suggest restoring a TPS-L2 is about functionality rather than the sound experience. For what these cost now I'd rather buy a DD9....which has belts by the way, but the sound is rated by many as the best in a headphone stereo ever made.

 

I would add that it depends if that belt is driving the capstan or not. D6, D6C, D5(M), DD9 all have belts but the capstan is disc drive (DD).
In these cases, the belts are only driving the takeup reel during PLAY, which does not influence the wow&flutter.
That is why the above mentioned will obtain excellent wow&flutter figures, despite there are some belts in there.

 

@PeterKKB : the DD series at least are more consistent in terms of W&F.
The earlier heads / playback frequency range is not as great as the later units, also compared to the WM-700 series or later EX/FX/GX models.
@Valentin restored several Walkmans for me, including some DD units, and all came out great.

However, W&F of for instance the WM-2, WM-5 or DX100 of 0.25% or higher one might find high - when listening to rock and pop I am very happy with it.

The DX100 uses the same motor as the DD, and actually drives a disc (brass rotor).
As @Valentin pointed out above, what matters most is if the capstan is disc/direct driven.
In the case of the DX100, the disc driven rotor drives the main mechanism via a belt.
Although it was an expensive device at the time - and also now - I would recommend to go for the DD series if you can.

Any DD will do, although the DD10-11-20 have the highest W&F since these are cost optimized.
When you have time, see the link to the DD Genealogy in my signature for more details.

(I have a DDII and DIII for sale when you are considering to buy one.)

 

Thanks a lot for your answers, for sure I’m going to be restoring the TPS-L2 and I’m curious about its sound and I’m looking at getting at least 1 additional Walkman (ideally with some kind of equalization).

 

Sounds like a good plan, the TPS-L2 is an influential unit .
The only equalization you can get in the Sony DD range is either DOL (DD-100) or MegaBass (DD30 and DD33), see also the Genealogy overview.

 

They do have tone controls though right?

 

No, the DD series did not come with any type of other user configurable equalization except for the preset values (determined by the electronic components) in DOL and MegaBass / DBB.
As far as I know, even Panasonic's competing devices (direct drive: RX-S40, S41, S45) did not come with equalization.

 

Hi Peter,

Wow, you got yourself a little gem...

Definitely restore it if you are able to but as Valentin said, don't expect too much from it, this goes for the WM-2 and other early models.

The TPS-L2 is like the Lamborghini Countach, you will enjoy looking at it more than you would driving it...

If you are looking for a serious contender, get a WM-D6C, as you will have the luxury of recording and playing back on the same superb unit.

Enjoy the restoration, use good quality parts and you will have a great time when it come to life.

Wombat

 

The D6C is a great device, but not the cheapest to get acquainted with the DD series.
If recording capabilities are not needed, I would take any other DD with Dolby B NR (except the cost reduced 10-22) as a more affordable, and more portable, less power hungry alternative.

 

Surprisingly enough my TPS-L2 has tone controls. So Sony abandoned them down the line, quite a purist approach. My experience with portable devices is that equalization is important but I’m also curious to listen to a TOTL Walkman without one.

 

Wasn’t this switch used for different tape types? All DD models have the normal-chrome/metal (type I-II, IV) tape type switch.
Later Walkmans have fully automated tape type selection.
According to online resources, the notches for automated cassette type indication where made available in 1979. So early models could not automatically detect which tape type was inserted.
See also WA for more info: https://walkman-archive.com/gadgets/walkman_sony_01_tps-l2_eng_v3.htm

 

Indeed!

 

The TPS-L2 does not have Tone controls. Can you post a picture of your unit, I have never seen a personal stereo with Tone controls but I have seen plenty with graphic equalisers.

PS unless you call bass boost a tone control, I find most horrendous. The only one that worked for my ears was Aiwa’s DSL in conjunction with BBE.

 

its just a tremble-bass switch that was there mostly for better Type II reproduction. I have to disagree about tone controls however: I find them extremely useful for portable audio, both tremble-bass as well as equalizers and I am kind of purist (I have a relatively good home system that has zero tone controls).

 

Still not sure what you mean, can you post a picture of the switch?

 

I think the confusion is due to the way Sony labeled the same button differently in different models. It is labeled as such on the WM-3, but on the TPS-LS, it is indeed labeled as a tone control. Though I'm not sure if there's any difference in circuitry as I've never compared both model's internals in details. Here's a pic of the labels on an 1st gen. WM-3 and a 2nd gen. TPS-L2.

I was kinda curious, so I checked my copy of the 1st gen. TPS-L2 manual. Even if it's technically there to compensate for tape type differences, Sony did actually describe the feature as a tone "selector".

 

Well, you learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing.