Won this walkman off ebay for just GBP 5.50  - Auctioned as not working and no external battery holder.

http://www.ebay.com.my/itm/121...id=p3984.m1497.l2648

Thought the parcel gone missing but finally it reach me in 6 weeks time.

 There was a slight dent on the cover and minor paint scratches. Wouldn't complaint much for such a price.

----------------------

No gumstick and no external battery holder, can't really do much except dismantling for some maintenance. Overall the walkman is clean from inside out and nothing was suspicious. Lub up, clean the battery terminals and check the belt still ok!

--------------------------------

Hop in to the local electronic store the next morning try to find the gumstick. Lucky though got one replacement battery from China (NiMH 1.2V 1400mAh)

Give it a 3 hrs charge and ready for the showcase.

---------------------------------

To my surprise, the walkman still working as good as new. The transport is quiet ,all buttons actually function including XBass, ASC, hold and auto reverse. This is one of my best find so far!!

--------------------------------------

Here's a short clip

Very nice at virtually no expense. I'm considering a Panasonic model also as I believe they don't give a whole lot of problems. The retro Sony's on ebay are either going for silly money or sold as "not working". What's the SQ like??

This unit is from the 90's generation a little bit soft in phone out but match perfectly with earpiece rather than headphones. In term of transport mechanism, it does has its superiority. 

Does it have the option to run off a double AA battery or is the gumstick the only option?

Great find BTW...for that $$ thats a steal!

Great bargain to be sure and the RQ-S series of Panasonic are my favorite.  Very high quality build.  Little weak on amps but they are Bi amped one for each channel so clarity /soundstage is excellent.   

According to a manual I downloaded the RQ-SX56 ( I'm watching one)  "is designed to playback Normal tapes but is unable to take full advantage of High and Metal tapes characteristics". Does anybody know of any downside to playing pre-recorded Metal tapes on these devices? 

It does able to support  using an external single double AA battery holder.  there is one selling in ebay now but the price is rather pricey

Metal tape in itself is much more abrasive to the head than normal or CrO2 tapes.  That is why the better and best Walkman or decks have much harder alloy material on the head to stand up to wear better.   But you can play pre recorded metal tapes on players not having bias adj. manual or automatic.  The highs will be boosted but personally on a lot of players that is a plus.   Hundreds of hours of playing with metal tapes on machines without hardened heads ( Amorphous, 12 layer laminated, permalloy etc.) you may start to see and hear wear.  Just rotate use among players.

Many Thanks for advice.

I Just purchased a Pannie RQ-S15D.... Does anybody know the difference with the version without D?

I think that the RQ-S15D was a German/European release version?

this was my first Panny

great bit of kit

well built like a jewel - and cultured sound

turn xbs to mid

Nice, it will be here in a couple of days... I planned it for a daily device, hope it does still work. No slipping belt like lots of my other pannies...

Another one I'd like to have again.

I remember that RQ-S15D was in the shops when I purchased my Panasonic which is a slightly different model (without the 'wave').

Can't find it on a search so far.

What a nice place this forum is. A whole new universe!

Unfortunately the only pic I have:

Be aware that it needs a new belt if you get one... Got several RQ-S walkmans and they are all in need for a new belt... These are not easy to work on either...

Welcome here btw...

Yes that might be a problem.

Maybe it's just only I have my nostalgic day today.

Thanks for that warm welcome!

Usually I'm active in other forums on a completely different topic. But yesterday I was talking about 'lost' walkmans with a friend of mine. And I recalled all those little machines I owned in former times.. F.e. I was stunned to find something about my Cybernet PS-101 here.

Take a look on eBay! You will find lots of nice Walkmans there. You can get a lot of them cheap! it's a nice nostaligic feeling to play with one again... But big change you want more after having one....