Hi everybody,

I'm new here. I used to use a walkman constantly in high school listening to my bootleg tapes, but that faded away with the digital boom. But having learned from my mistakes as my digital products begin to function in a way that isn't too rosey, I'm going back to the walkman and the nearly indestructible power of cassettes (as long as I stay away from large magnets).

The 2 walkmans that I have are from the 90's. They're some sort of sony's that I don't think really matter too much, plastic and clunky. I've been searching for months to find a wm-10 which is why I'm here today. True engineering and design beauty.

I'm basically looking for a small walkman, like the wm-10, to play my cassettes. Seeing as how some really great bands are putting music out on cassettes I think I should have the right to listen in style.

Long story short, I'm here to find out which models are the so called "smallest" in the walkman world and where I might be able to find them.

Cheers!

Hello and Welcome!

Yeah, Sony WM10 was really something but it is not the smallest player ever made. When it was released it was in fact the smallest one and even today it's size is very impressive but there are smaller and lighter models available. If it has to be THE smallest one and size is a paramount for you, then I suggest you look at some of the more recent Panasonic models such as RQ-SX71, 72, 73 and 76 models. RQ-SX71 is as far as I know the smallest cassette player ever produced. It is actually quite astonishing how they managed to pack everything inside it! Size really doesn't matter as it is feature-packed and so auto-reverse, dolby, music search, repeat and the rest are a given. Also, an backlit see-through lcd remote control and the rest. Also, Sony models of the recent years were pretty small (though Panasonic was actually smaller) so I'd say models like Wm-EX9, 900, 910, 20, 2000 are a good choice. But bewre - Sonys are far more expensive and are harder to find. I wouldn't necessarily call Sony better in sound, just different. INO Panasonic (some models) are highly underestimated in that respect when for a fact I know the Panasonic SX75 blows away any modern Sony player.

Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for. If you need advice I am sure someone here will help you out! And be sure to upload some pics of your new walkman when you get it!

Regards!
Tuna

Thanks for the info Tuna.

Guess I was wrong about modern designs being clunkier. I have much to learn.

Looks like I have a few more models to search for. Thanks!

You are welcome! I have found some nice ones for you

http://cgi.ebay.de/Panasonic-W...?hash=item1e5a0a668c

http://cgi.ebay.de/Neu-Panason...?hash=item255857998f

http://cgi.ebay.de/Panasonic-W...?hash=item3ca959db42

Generally, I would suggest getting one with the original box but not new, unless you are prepared to change belts because if it sits unused for a long time, belts stretch. But be sure what's available from Sony as you might get lucky and get yourself a great one for little money - but don't tell anyone I told you so Good luck!

Tuna

Forgot to add that I live in California. We'll see if these sellers are willing to ship internationally. Thanks for looking these up. I checked ebay.com and found nothing. Looks like ebay.de has all the lovely walkmans.

Hello Doober a Warm welcome from the otherside of the USA Florida. Great to hear a convert back to our analog walkman technology. You are at the right place. First you may want to browse through the Walkman & Personal Stereo Photo Gallery postings as many not only show great photos of the player but talk about the sound quality.
Second as for the smallest walkman there have been many a posting over years on the debate of the smallest. Recently many members participated in a exacting measuring to find the smallest. you may view the results here
What is smallest walkman
Take note that the smallest walkmans IMO tend to have less reliability long term if you intend to actually use them. Sony's are definitely higher cost to purchase mostly because of name. Do a search on ebay putting in Sony WM-EX there are many models most all smaller with better ones say EX HEAD on inside of player.
For dependability and reasonable cost to but $20 to $50 the Panasonic RQ-SX series is very good. The RQ-S series is thier highest quality sounding but my luck with good working examples is not as good as the SX series. If you can find a RQ-S75 wonderful unit. When you find a unit you think you want to buy put in the model number in our search engine and see what is said about it as you may find information that would steer you away such as the Sony DD models that have problems with center gear cracking eventually causing player to fail/eat tapes. The Sanyo JJ series is smallest but both mine the belt needs replacing which is most difficult on these and some function problems which is as said more common in the very smallest. If you find nothing on a model you want to buy post a topic with picture if can and model number asking opinion. Am sure you will get responses. We are a smaller but very helpful community of dedicated to fanatical collectors me being one of the latter having now 285 cassette walkmans.

Thanks for all the info. Looks like I've got a ways to go to catch up to your 281 Walkmans. Time to get searching. Groovy!