Hello from lock down 3, tier 5! So, with the record shop closed (www.analogueoctober.com), I have been busy teaching myself all I need to know about servicing my rather large collection of walkmans.... Today was a joy. I not only recapped my DD-100. All new Nichicon caps. This player has irked me since I won it in an auction years ago. It never really lived up to the hype. Marions new gear improved things, but it was always blighted with a duller sound compared to my DC-2's and D6C's. It also sounded "warbly", despite the new gear. Today, I sorted all that out. Turns out the motor was tired. I replaced the motor from a donor DC-2 and the weird motor noise and instability was gone. But despite carefull adjustment of the head usings ANTS calibration tapes, it still sounded duller compared to all my recently restored DD units. So, back to the donor unit. Its playback head was just begging to be swapped and used in the DD-100. Upon close inspection, its clear this DD-100 and DC-2 used a different head. But I thought, if the test failed, I could just swap it all back. Well, the recapped, re-geared, re-motored and replaced head DD-100 is now now really delivering what I had always hoped it would. The soundstage is vast, the dynamics (not DOL engaged) are just too sweet. And whilst I did concern myself with the fact that the new head from the DC-2 isnt as spec, its certainly ten times better and that equals a win, in my book. Ive been on a recap frenzy since being gifted a great desoldering station. Starting off with the lowly WM-22 and 24, and working my way up to the DD's via TPS-L2's, WM-3's, WM-II's, DD-22 & 33's, HS-PC202's P-05's (both marks) and more. The results with the new caps across all the units is astounding. The entire purpose of the exercise was to get the collection (about 100 units) ready for sale. But every upgrade just tightens the bond between me and the collection. Especially with the DD units. Of course, I would never sell the 18th birthday present D-3 or all of the DC-'2s and D6's, but thin the collection down, I must. This weeks project will no doubt be the 4 D6-c's I have. My originals and two later gen SMD units that were late night impulse buys. Thinking ahead, I think I will enjoy the challenge of recapping the denser early board version of the D6-C. The later boards look like a quick in and out job, where as the earlier board looks perfect for getting ones head down and zoning out for a hour or so. Ive already stripped them all back to the gear posts and rebuilt with new lube and all sound great. Im sure the new caps will elevate them further. Will post pics later in the week.
That's a great way to pass some time, I've been working on too many bigger projects to get to some of my electronics. Show some photos of your soldering iron, I've been thinking about trying out the new TS100 model that's really getting popular.
Hi. That's awesome. Would be great if you could post pictures or videos of you doing the recapping / repairs with commentaries. I'd certainly be interested in seeing that!
Hi, good stuff. I too have a dull sounding Boodo Khan and would be very interested in your detailed description with pics. Also my oldest D6C could need some TLC, so any info here on that would be welcome as well.
