WANTED: Sony WM-D6 or D6C (1st gen)

As per title.

Preferably something that's been well looked after and maintained/serviced. Would also like it to include at least the case.

What do you have?

 

Any particular reason you want the 1st gen over the 2nd?

 

I'm not that fussed really.

Do you have a D6/D6C for sale?

 

You'll find a lot more of them at the moment which I can see around are the Gen 2. It's not too hard at all to find them with the case because they all came with one. Most people were careful enough to generally always use the case and it did do a great job at protecting the device. So this model at least is generally in a lot better exterior condition than many other portable cassette players.

In short what I know about the difference is that the original D6 has 2 headphone outputs (but no Dolby-C). The D6C Gen 1 "often" has the pointy head, but much more complicated inside to repair. The Gen 2 has the curved head and the insides were redesigned making them much easier to repair. Most of the ones you'll find anywhere are all Gen 2. There is also a Gen 3 which you might want to avoid. All D6C only have 1 headphone port.

Personally I would ignore anyone who has a preference between Gen 1 and Gen 2. I really don't think it matters... The Gen 3 is probably really not worth the price anyone would ask for it though.

How you easily tell them apart without opening:

1. Gen 1 - Most have the pointy head, and low serial number on the head. "Amorphous Head" printed on the case. These are generally very rare.
2. Gen 2. Curved head. "Amorphous Head" printed on the case. The most common to find.
3. Gen 3. Curved head. "Amorphous Head" has been removed from the case because it's only a cheaper permalloy head. Actually quite hard to find.

I'd check the usual eBay and Yahoo Auctions for one. Taking into account that this model has an extremely inflated price at the moment. More than double what it really should be worth (in my personal opinion). They are also quite a popular model for daily playing, so regardless of the generation or head, it's really hard to find them in perfect head condition.

I don't have one sorry. Was just curious why you wanted a Gen 1 specifically. I was really unimpressed with the perfect cond. Gen 2 one I got a few years ago and the weight and battery life were also just so troublesome I sold it and replaced it with a DC2 which I still use to this day.

Good luck!

P.S. You probably know all this but it's good info for people who stumble on this thread.

 

Thanks for all the info.

I was already aware of most of what you've said having done lots of reading and communicating with a member on another forum.

That's why I would like a Gen1, because of the head. I will settle for a Gen2 though.

I agree about the pricing, but I think the days of getting one of these for £100 fully working and in good condition are long gone. Even non-working units are in the region of £300.

Appreciate your post... thank you.

 

Good information about the differences. I'll have to look at mine again of which I have two d6 with their boxes cardboard, and two d6c but only one with a box cardboard.

 

Here is my version of the history of the Sony Walkman WM-D6C. Compiled from postings on Stereo2Go and tapeheads forums, as well as eBay listings of units for sale. Dates and serial #s of changed units are somewhat incomplete.

• February 1984: Original Sony Walkman WM-D6C released. Amorphous "pointy" parabolic PA259-3602A head marked "Japan", with screws on the side. Some say the earliest ones with parabollic head are the most desirable. Brown/green phenolic PC boards 1-611-494-11 with through-hole components. X-3305-830-1 Motor. Yellow indicators for Tape Type and Dolby NR Yellow Roman numerals for Tape Type; Only Sony logo on the leather case. Tape drive mechanism MT-D6C-20.
• January 1985: Generation 2: Supplement 1 notes Dolby chip change from CX20068 to CX 20218, as well as surrounding component value changes. PCB now -12. Serial # range undetermined.
• Mid 1986: Generation 3: Change from "pointy" parabolic to rounded head 35711 @ ~serial # 72000.
• Spring 1988: Change to Dolby sticker color from white (silver) to black ~ serial # 117,000.
• March 1994: Generation 4: Supplement 2 at ~ serial # 267,201 notes change to double-sided green glass epoxy PCB 1-651-545-11 with SMD components. Muting modules and EQ modules and DC-DC converter are part of the PCB, a lot less wires. Change to 1-541-851-11 motor.
• April 1996: Service Bulletin 395 issued. The motor was changed from X-3305-830-1 to X-3370-805-1. There are some component changes and the addition of a resistor and capacitor.
• April 1999: Supplement 3 shows two resistor values were changed to lower the headphones maximum output to make a French model.
• June 2001: Generation 5: Supplement 4 shows main PCB changed to 1-651-545-14; motor drive servo circuit redesigned with servo IC CX069A. The servo controller is now a smaller 8 pin IC and is protected which is switched by several other transistors and a MOSFET, to prevent damage. Comparator IC added. Change to Dolby IC #2002176. Rev. 1.1 service manual was issued.
• Generation 6: Change to permalloy head 35712 in serial #s ~514xxx and above. Marking "amorphous head" on the case is no longer present (date undetermined); however, only later units had the “amorphous head” script removed from the badge on the front of the machine so it cannot be used as a reliable guide to which type is fitted. 2002: WM-D6C production discontinued.

 

Did you ever find one? I'm actually helping a client of mine sell off a bunch of her late husband's belongings and just came across a WM-D6 with case in great condition that was in a ziplock. Runs/plays/records fine.