Hello everybody! I'm rookie in here... I used to read this forum sometimes and now decide to get registration. My name is Roman, I'm from Moscow, Russia. 31 years old. I can consider myself as audiophile... I dont listen to MP3's and rarely use to listen CD's. I love analog sound! At home I listen to vinyl records (Technics SL-1210MK2 / Shure Whitelabel cartridge / SONY SS-K10ED speakers), outside of home I listen to cassette tapes on some high quality level. I'm always looking forward to get as much as possible from audio systems to receive perfect sound!

My main question - is it possibe nowdays to find SONY WM-550C anywhere?

And another one question - $300 for DC2 in perfect condition - is it really fair price or overpriced ?

I know that DC2, DD9, D6C is some of the best, but I want to get 550C so bad... Any chances to find it in good working and cosmetic condition?

By the way, right now I use next system (look at my sign)

...but still want to upgrade it... Anyway sound quality is amazing compare to MP3 and even CD's.

Welcome Aboard Roman

Thanx))

Hi there, and welcome X3

The WM-550C doesn't seem like a popular model. But it's a nice one indeed, and it's most certainly not a bad one as far as I've read the specs. Keep an eye out on eBay and such; you might spot one that's affordable and working.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I have the Sony WM-F550C. Basically the WM-550C, but with AM/FM radio built into the door. Not sure why you are so keen to want this particular model. The mechanical transport in this series has suffered badly due to plastic shrinkage in particular to the clutch plate for the take up reel. Symptoms of this are the take up reels stop working during playback, fast forward and rewind. Repair is difficult, but possible.

Nevertheless, good luck in your quest to finding a good example.

Welcome!

Thanx a lot for responses! I read somewhere that 550C is very nice and almost stay near together with DC2 if compare sound quality... But it can be wrong also... I dont know...

The DC2 uses no belts to drive the take up reel, or any other part of its transport for that matter. It has direct driven capstan, which is quartz controlled.

The 550C uses a standard belt drive design, seen in many walkman.

Both suffer from issues due to ageing plastics shrinking.

Fully restored, I'd choose the DC2 over the 550C. The DC2 beats the 550C in terms of tape stability and the build quality is much much better compared to the 550C.

Wow, it is explain a lot to me! Thank you very much! I think I'm going to change my mind and stick with DC2 !

What price will be fair for DC2 nowdays? If player in full working and good cosmetic condition? $300 is fair or overpriced?

I have a 550c for sale. It doesn't have a battery though.

Hi! Can you provide more information, please? Pictures, condition, price etc.

Hi Roman,

Before you buy the DC2, you must ask the seller if it has the cracked main drive wheel.  Chances are that it does (they all do) but bare in mind that this is a difficult repair and might add to the cost.  It will run with the crack but it won't be perfect.  In this respect I'd say 300 is a lot to pay for one.

Thanx a lot for that information! My target is - to buy player with best quality of sound! Because I'm going to make my own records from vinyl to cassette tapes through the best vinyl equipment. So I want to hear this records through the one of best sounding walkmans! Analog sound all the way !!!

Am I the only one who thinks the Aiwa HS-PX303 or 505 or even the 101 with the BBE and DSL sound better than the DD9 and the DC2?

I use to have the Aiwa’s i.e. HS-JX101, HS-JX303, HS-JX505, HS-JX707, HS-JX909 and HS-PX1000. They are better then the DD9 maybe but not better than the DC2 from memory.

I loved the BBE system on them, just top class and the DSL was not bad either.

plop posted:

Fully restored, I'd choose the DC2 over the 550C. The DC2 beats the 550C in terms of tape stability and the build quality is much much better compared to the 550C.

DC2 is bigger, heavier and thicker than 550C and therefore better built even if it is made of plastic even though it is made of aluminum.