I found a DD9, in great condition from a first-time owner. The seller is asking $500...is that about right for a working DD9? Or should I attempt to haggle it lower? Thanks. 

Personally I'd say that's too much but really it's all about what's it worth to you.  There's no set value for these things but as a guide a clean, working, non-boxed unit with no headphones is worth about $250.

Thanks agentorange. I could definitely swing that kind of price. The seller mentioned that they've seen them go as high as $900 on ebay, and that there are 4 other buyers interested. I hate to see one go, as I've really wanted a DD9 for a long time and they really don't come around very often, but feel like $500 is a bit out of my reach. 

they can go as high as a milion - but are they worth it too you?

I think realistically - and it IS a good unit - if you find one in GWO - it;s worth TOPS 300 bucks or 200 quid

I wouldn't sink more than a 150 into a walkman - they WILL go wrong at some point

and unless you are a whizz with a magnifying glass and steady hands I wouldn't recomend getting aquainted with the inards

trust our men RETRODOS or DOCTOR WALKMAN on this site - they will do excellent repairs - but for a price

The one that went for $900ish on eBay was brand new in box never used, but OTT price I think.

I say he / she is playing you saying 4 more users interested. Offer what you think it’s worth if he / she does not take it, call their bluff and let it go more will come up some time.  

Gah, you're right. I'm sure you all know the feeling of risking not seeing one again for awhile. My WM-D6C is still playing very well so it's not like I'm out in the cold with nothing to listen to. Was just really hoping to finally hear the walkman that everyone says is the best of the best. 

I just brought up some sick

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-W...?pt=Cassette_Players

65 bucks BIN

I am going to get shot down in flames it a minute as most people think the DD9 is the best, I have a DD9 and the D6C beats it hands down. 

I hardly ever use the DD9, in fact I use the DC2 everyday.

I hear that on here everyday...that the DD9 is superior in quality, but only if it is totally maxed out mechanically and technically (which be honest, few of us have the ability, time, or money to do that to a 20 yr. old device) but that the DC2 is strong, and once you complete the main gear adjustment, will last for years. I wish I could find a DC2 for sale, but when this came up I figured what the hell. Why do you like your D6C more? I always thought it sounded great but all this talk that the DC2 and DD9 have extended dynamic range, I just wanted to hear it. 

And wow Claret Badger...I'm going to save that post and send it to this seller, hopefully that helps them make a decision to drop to 250 or 300 instead of 500. 

My DD9 has been updated by dottor walkman and it still lags behind the D6C.

See what is wrote about it here

index.php?board_oid=193392314111653483&content_oid=245045710425854976

Simply amazing. With your contribution, I now think I will pass on the DD9 and instead have dottor walkman improve my D6C, and use it as my playback device. These walkmans are all I have- I don't have a good quality deck to listen to tapes off of, and from the sounds of it, I won't need one as long as I have my D6C. How does one go about contacting dottor walkman for his upgrades? And do I need a list of what I would like done, or can he do an all-around tune-up?

Just send him a PM, I have just had 2 DC2’s and a D6C come back from him. I have just sent him 2 more DC2’s.

I think he is just about to go on holiday, so you may have to wait for him to work on your D6C.

must get my D6c looked at now

my DC2 was serviced by RETRODOS and is amazing now

makes my D6c sound muddy

D6c has a powerful headphone amp - if not the most powerful

I'm sure having 6 AA batteries helps the dynamic range and grunt as well

just a bit heavy to carry around in summer months

I will certainly do that. I'm sure it's well worth the wait, I'll just have to suffer through digital mediums or stay at home and listen to my LPs. Thank you guys so much for your help. Now, to message the good Dr.!

Does RETRODOS do D6C repairs and upgrades as well? If dottor walkman is too busy or going on holiday, would it be more efficient to send it to RETRODOS? Will the upgrades be of the same quality? 

I can only vouch for dottor walkman has he has done a lot of work for me, but people do say good things about Retrodos

Sounds better still if you take the line-out into an external amp.

always tempted to buy a mustang - never pulled the trigger

Do it you know you want to

I'm looking at a CMoy amplifier to use for mine. I have Ultrasone headphones that need a bit more oomph. 

The P-51 is sadly too much for me. I used to have a Headstage Arrow 12he3G but sold it back when financial times got a bit stricter. Now that I have a bit of extra cash the money would probably be better served through upgrading my WM-D6C than getting an amplifier. Although dang, the reviews on that mustang are out of this world. 

I have heard good things about the CMoy and also the Headstage Arrow is meant to be good too.

Which Ultrasone do you own? I have only heard the Edition 10 and Edition 8, the 8 I like a bit but too bass heavy. The Edition 10 is the biggest pile of junk I have heard. See below

wow, the way that guy was acting, that was the worst listening experience he's ever had. and for 2,750... I guess you don't always get what you pay for? 

I'll probably check with the CMoy just because of cost. The Headstage was $300. And I have the Ultrasone HF-580 right now as my main headphones for hi-fi listening. I've wanted to get a set of Grados for a while, yet haven't pulled the trigger yet. I can't vouch for those Ultrasone models the 8 and 10, but my 580s have a great balance between highs and lows, nothing overly bassy or trebley like in that video. I just sometimes wish the lows were a bit more boomy and felt and there were a bit more midrange warmth. 

$500,- in box complete?

Otherwise... no go.

on one side, there are market prices, which depends on asks and sells... this are going crazy sometimes..

on the other side, there are FAIR prices. but these days, there are impossible to get -.- ... wouldn`t pay 500 $ for a 20 yrs old device.. never ... there are no new cassettes out there, so it doesn`t make sense to me ...

How Do You?  Get Six (6) AA Batteries in to Your Sony D6C

This way?

Or this way?

I think he means 6 volts not 6 AA

Before you buy the Grado’s, have a listen first. Grado’s create an in your head sound which I don’t like. I like dimension to my sound. You don’t want to spend your money to find out you’ve made a mistake.

Love the photos

I did see that post from Claret earlier, but I wasn't cheeky enough to take photos to retort.

laugh it up brothers - someone replied before I could be bothered to edit it

I was thinking 6 volts but ended up putting AA

I've had 3 margeritas this morning and feeling rather louche

Word of the month.

So, seller was convinced by my arguments (thanks to you guys) to reduce the price to $250. Decided that I should go for it. Will fill everybody in on my thoughts regarding sound quality in general and then sound quality vs. the WM-D6C (no mods). I may still send my WM-D6C to dottor walkman to be upgraded, and might even include the DD9 to be souped-up as well. Then I can have a good side by side comparison! Now all I need to complete my Sony collection would be a DC2- and if anybody sees one of those for sale....dangit, need to stop my gear acquisition syndrome. Next I'll be wanting to get an Aiwa hs-px303 for cross-brand comparison. 

Cool, I am happy you called his / her bluff and got it at a better price.

Excellent! It's a reasonable deal!