Sony DD portables genealogy

A rare accessory for sure!
The end of production dates of most of the Walkmans are relatively hard to establish.
So the DD-100 was for sale till ‘87, the D3 was still going strong 1988, and from feedback here on S2Go D6C till end 2002.

 

I am looking at the genealogy tree picture, and there is no link from TC-D5 to the DD. This page says that " the first DD combined the compact electronic of WM-2, the disc drive capstan servo mechanism similar to the TC-D5 and the case from WM-5". This page confirms that TC-D5 has purpose-built disc drive mechanism. So, there should be a line from TC-D5M I think, to the first DD.

You trace the first DD from WM-2 and WM-5, which is in line with the two above websites. But reading about the WM-5, it seems that it is just the same as the WM-2, only with metal case. It does not say that the WM-5 uses different electronics than the WM-2. So, I think you can simplify the tree by removing WM-2 to DD line.

TCM-600, TPS-L2, WM-3, WM-2 and WM-5 all have gray color, this gives an impression that they are similar. But WM-2 and WM-5 are direct predecessors of the DD line in terms of exterior design, so maybe you want to color them a different color.

Also, the DC2 having quartz-lock mechanism should be slotted between D6C above and DDII below, and should inherit from both.

DDIII has quarz-lock but does not have mega bass, so I think it should inherit to DD, not to DD100.

Also, while I understand that the DD9 has two motors, it still is a logical continuation of the DD lineup, so it should inherit from one of the DD, not sure which. Maybe from DDIII as the closest?

Overall, regarding the use of colors, it would be great if you followed the spectrum distribution from red to purple. I understand this is not a linear chart, but still... I am going to re-color your picture to show what I mean



The sports model is not yellow anymore, but in my defense these were made in different colors, and there was an Okinawa model.

Maybe the colors of WM-2/WM-5 and WM-F5 can be swapped

 

Thanks CDV for the review and improvement suggestions!

• I am looking at the genealogy tree picture, and there is no link from TC-D5 to the DD. This page says that " the first DD combined the compact electronic of WM-2, the disc drive capstan servo mechanism similar to the TC-D5 and the case from WM-5". This page confirms that TC-D5 has purpose-built disc drive mechanism. So, there should be a line from TC-D5M I think, to the first DD.

Confirm, I have drawn a line from TC-D5M to DD.

• You trace the first DD from WM-2 and WM-5, which is in line with the two above websites. But reading about the WM-5, it seems that it is just the same as the WM-2, only with metal case. It does not say that the WM-5 uses different electronics than the WM-2. So, I think you can simplify the tree by removing WM-2 to DD line.

Removed, looks less cluttered.

• Also, the DC2 having quartz-lock mechanism should be slotted between D6C above and DDII below, and should inherit from both.

I have moved the DC2 up, allow the line from the D6 to the DC2 and DDII to DC2. Since D6C are released in the same year, I think the quartz lock line should be from the D6C predecessor.
They also use the same IC, as a lot of the DD models do.

• DDIII has quarz-lock but does not have mega bass, so I think it should inherit to DD, not to DD100.

According to the service manual, the DDIII inherits from the DD-100: amongst others the tape transport mechanism. See service manual page 1.
Bass expansion seems to have skipped one generation, going to the DD30 instead of the DDIII.

• Also, while I understand that the DD9 has two motors, it still is a logical continuation of the DD lineup, so it should inherit from one of the DD, not sure which. Maybe from DDIII as the closest?

From a component perspective, I have to disagree: only the DD9 and DX100 are really closely related, sharing almost all ICs to the exact version.
On the other hand, one DD portable at least should have been influential for the DD9 development. I will draw an arrow from DDIII and would like to hear from other members.

• TCM-600, TPS-L2, WM-3, WM-2 and WM-5 all have gray color, this gives an impression that they are similar. But WM-2 and WM-5 are direct predecessors of the DD line in terms of exterior design, so maybe you want to color them a different color.
• Overall, regarding the use of colors, it would be great if you followed the spectrum distribution from red to purple. I understand this is not a linear chart, but still... I am going to re-color your picture to show what I mean
• The sports model is not yellow anymore, but in my defense these were made in different colors, and there was an Okinawa model.
• Maybe the colors of WM-2/WM-5 and WM-F5 can be swapped

As I am not a designer I'm happy to change the colors and improve the layout.
Exact RGB values would be appreciated so I won't make mistakes while recoloring.

I did a quick update, see the draft below. Let me know if I missed something.
Later today or during the weekend I can look into changing the layout and tweaking colors.

 

What does dotted line mean?

 

I used that to indicate a very likely relation, but without real proof points.
Not the same mechanisms but close, or not true matches in the service manual.
Shall the line between DDIII and DD9 be dotted too?

 

In this case, I guess it makes sense.

The line from D5 to DD goes under the WM-2, which may look as if WM-2 inherits from the D5. Can you re-route it, maybe? Maybe space out them more horizontally, and make the connection going between WM-3 and WM-2 ?

 

Hugo writes, "the SONY WM-DX100. It combines all those features, except the DD system" - so, the DX100 is not disk drive? So, maybe it should not inherit from the DD9?

 

The mechanism features the DD system: the disc driven brass rotor (bottom right) is driving a belt that takes care of the rest of the mechanism.
It seems a bit complex and appears to have only been used by Sony for DX100, and perhaps the WM-EX99R.
That one looks very similar but I don't have the service manual to verify.
@Valentin: do you have picture of the entire mechanism assembled?

 

Given how this device is constructed, I won't consider it a DD unit, although a DD system is used, but not for driving the capstan directly. Capstan flywheels are belt driven, hence I consider this to be a belt driven unit.
My observations when I repaired this devices were:
1. The motor is very small compared to the typical MNF1600B; given how small it is (this was done to make the device very slim overall), an FG coil could not be fitted inside the motor, as it was the case with MNF1600B;
2. The FG coil is underneath the brass disc (a flex cable going to it can be seen in the pictures); newer walkmans would abandon this system in favour of a 3 phase brushless motor (which is simpler and also more cost effective);

I have only 2 more relevant ones, besides the one you already posted. In the one above, the only things missing are one of the flywheels and the belt.

 

@CDV: what about this layout? I used the eyedropper to copy the exact colors you used.
Since I moved the WM-2 and WM-5 below the DD line, I switched the colors.
By moving them down, the line between TC-D5M and WM-DD is clearer, does not go underneath a box at least.

 

Thanks Valentin.
I'll leave the DX100 as I can't find another Sony unit that uses the DD mechanism to indirectly drive the capstan flywheels.
As I already stated above and obvious from the overview table, the main ICs of the DD9 and DX100 are identical.
A few differences: microcontrollers, DD9 has a battery level IC, and the DX100 has a mute detector IC for blank skip.
The WM-EX99R seems to be released for the Japanese market only, I can't find any picture of the mechanism or PCB to compare it with the DX100.

 

From the genealogy perspective, it should be there because it is clearly related.
I didn't say to remove it, just stating that in real life, it won't perform as a DD (in terms of wow&flutter). So people having one or willing to spend thousands on one (if they're able to spot such a walkman for sale) will have realistic expectations.
The sound is indeed very good on it, although the headphone amp is a little low on power, but that's expected given it only runs on a single AA battery/gumstick.

The WM-EX99R has missing Dolby C and it's possible to use a different mechanism (even if just slightly). We just don't know at this point. And probably never will unless someone buys one from Japan, which won't be cheap.

 

So, maybe DX100 should inherit from DD9 using dotted line? Or maybe dotted lines should all be replaced with solid lines, as it is hard to decide is it direct or indirect relation?

BTW, is the DX100 auto-reverse? It seems that it is auto-reverse judging by two flywheels where the capstans should be. Sony used two flywheels on cheap models without auto-reverse, but I think that this expensive model is for real.

And the DD9 also has autoreverse? This is not reflected in the legend

--

This says, "Unlike the WM-2 based DD models ... the controls were “direct acting”, there was no power assistance with any function", which to me implies that "real" DD models have servo. But as it was explained in the Walkman Designers thread, they do not. So, these guys are wrong?

Also, they write, "The traditional DD virtue of very low wow and flutter was present in full measure too." I wonder is it true. Does anyone have a DD1 or its relative to verify this claim? Ah, found on this very forum. I am surprised that the DD11 is marked simply as "DD". But it does have disc drive! it drives the capstan. Then it also has a belt to drive a take-up reel I suppose, and for FF/REW, but the main part - the capstan - is driven by DD system. And W&F - tada! - is below 0.08% WRMS, super awesome!

I suppose this DD from wikipedia is actually a DD1 or its relative?

 

DD9 and DX100 are the 2 auto reverse units of the DD line. Somehow a column got hidden when I created the table in the first post, I’ll correct it in the next release.
The cost reduced DD1-10-11-22 have amongst others a belt in the mechanism. The photo of the unit you show is indeed from this line.
For more specifics like plastic components, check the overview
There are many incorrect or incomplete articles and pages about the DD line online, one of the reasons why I wanted to get a clear overview in one place.
I don’t believe W&F to be at 0,08% for any of the cost reduced versions, see table.
The only assumption is that the W&F value of the DD10 is equal to the DD1 - there is only 1 service manual page available for DD10 that lists the differences and W&F is not mentioned.

 

The DD11 service manual specifies a wow&flutter of 0.15% WRMS. Given the similarity between DD1, DD10 and DD11, I can assume there could not be a significant difference between the 3.
There is that orange mylar capacitor, that was upgraded from a yellow film capacitor. This could have improved wow&flutter, but it's hard to tell without measuring it.
I have not measured any of the 3 units, but given the similarity of servo circuit with other DDs and the fact that it uses a DD system, the wow&flutter is probably lower than what the DD11 manual states.

@CDV The one in the picture I would say it's a DD11, given the lack of Dolby level adjustment trimmers and also that orange mylar capacitor. More details here: https://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-wm-ddi-sony-wm-dd10-differences-guide.7489/

 

Are you guys listening to these units or just measuring them?

I am more interested in listening to music, if the unit sounds good to my ears and I cannot detect the W&F. I don’t care what the measurements are, I don’t even care about the units I will listen to anything that sounds good. I am too busy enjoying life and my music to care about what the oscilloscope says, life's too short. I guess to each his / her own.

 

I do listen to them, at least the DD units @Valentin restored completely for me.
I noticed the W&F only in the test tape (prior and after service) of the DX100.
However, when listening to Guns N’ Roses, I can only say it sounds good! The DC2 and DX100 are close matches, but tbh also the ‘super Walkmans’ like the EX-618 sound good. W&F of the 618 is well above 0,4%, still Coma sounds great.
The D6C I only use occasionally due to the dimensions and weight, but the Sony passive speakers are doing great when combined with it.
I do like the DC2 and DD33 better although the DX100 makes the tape sound more open, for the lack of a better word.
For best sound quality, one should not pick up a cassette or minidisc player.
My iPhone and relatively cheap DAC + IEMs deliver clean high quality audio.
It just doesn’t not remind me of high school..

 

One of my DC2’s has now developed noticeable W&F while on the move, it’s now out of my weekly rotation and has been sent to Deb64 for service.

 

I would be interested to know what the pre measurement is, plus the type of music you listen to most frequently.
Until @CDV, @Valentin and others started the discussion, I did not really pay attention.
Nevertheless, I noticed on my 2 beloved EX-618 the performance was not as good the DD33. How far off? No clue. (Well, after measuring I know a bit more.)
It does not really matter, since I use them to enjoy music on physical analog media, not the best quality or anything close.
This is also one reason not to go for the DD9 at current prices. I would love to get one just for the sake of DD and the mechanism complexity, but properly serviced ones are almost impossible to get at a decent price. With properly I means, proven.

 

Emiel i listen to everything, here is my music collection.

Why get a DD9 "just for the sake of DD and the mechanism complexity" ?, well I guess I would never understand that as I am not a collector.