Stereo2Go Forum Reader

Hi everyone, just giving some of my Walkmans a quick test (I test 94+ walkmans twice annually), however have encountered a few problems one of my Sony w800's won't play on the record side unless you hold the play button down. I have opened it, regreased it, unscrewed the circuit board checked it and replaced the belt but this has had no effect, the unit still won't play unless you hold the play button down. Also Sony wm-7 won't play at all, when you press play the head and pinch roller engage the tape but then it cuts power the other one works perfect, this is very frustrating, I dn't expect to put fully working Walkmans away only to find that they have developed a fault at a later date. Aiwa cs1 had problem with rewind jamming when ever I pressed it but now it functions perfectly, what's going on.

Great news problem with W-800 now rectified, it seemed the head was misaligned and catching on the cassette case whenever I pressed the play or record buttons, dont know how i missed before. Going to use it for the rest of the week just to make sure fault doesn't reappear, however problem with AIWA unit not yet rectified, hope my persistence pays off.

how about some pics

Its a good idea to cycle through the Walkman and run them once or twice a year. With over 400 it has become something I dont get done as much as should. But have noticed last few go rounds testing Walkman that worked perfect before have problems other than belt. Seems time is now becoming a mortal enemy of our beloved machines.

Agree very frustrating knowing last use the player worked great and just sitting in display case it ceases functioning correctly

Your right will get some pics up soon but must warn you pics will be from my moby as I dn't yet have a decent camera. Some of the pics I've seen of other members Walkmans are truly amazing. As for time reducing functionality, I totally agree. At best you will only get a maximum of 20 yrs life from a belt driven unit although 10-15 yrs is more realistic, when going through your twice annual cycle or should I say my twice annual cycle, I tend to come across a particular unit that I just can't put down, hence testing time becomes play time. At least you can be sure DD units will last 2,3,4 or more decades which is considerably longer than today's mp3 players my 1,2 and 3 gen iPods all require new batteries and software upgrades. Even when they were current I always seemed to be at the mercy of the nearest apple store but there customer care was descent. It's worth the head scratching, the irrational talking to yourself, telling the family I'll be with you in a mo, because the feeling of relief that overwhelms you when finally fix one of your fav walky's can keep me on high for a surprisingly long time.

well.... this devices were never made to survive decades... cassette player were a fashion and hipster thing like the ipod is today. once something jammed, the design changed, or some more cool features appeared, you threw it in the bin or gave it to your little bro.

so thats the reason, why i don`t want to go too professional in collecting these things (and don`t want to pay more than 50 € per unit). its not the same like collecting watches. i have some 50 yrs. old wristwatches which any watchmaker is able to get parts or make service. theres no plastic inside, just metal and glass all around.

i`m looking forward for the new 3D printers. maybe in a few years, we are able to print our own spare parts such as center wheels for the DD ... that might be a rescue ...

/edit: servicing around 100 walkmen needs a lot of money o.O ..

True these units were'nt supposed to last more than a few years, but the design and build quality of certain units suggests otherwise. There have been many other products that have followed a similar ethos of overly well designed or acceptionally constructed electrical components, e.g TV's I'm still using a CRT in my bed room (purchased back in 1994) and considering buying 40" second hand one as main living room LCD (5 or 6 yrs old) is miss behaving. Today's is a less considerate mind set in some circumstances, ideally i feel we would all like to repair curtain goods but cost, time and the allure of a shiney new prevents many of us from doing so. I have to confess i also have a secret admiration of vintage time pieces, have about 10 of various designs from my younger days, although these only go back to the early 80's some digital some analogue some with dead LCD displays but i still won't throw any away (i maybe a bit of a hoarder). Happy to reveal all my most treasured Walkman function perfectly for now at least.

Originally Posted by type2tapehead:

I have to confess i also have a secret admiration of vintage time pieces

every man needs a good watch ..

Originally Posted by type2tapehead:

True these units were'nt supposed to last more than a few years, but the design and build quality of certain units suggests otherwise. There have been many other products that have followed a similar ethos of overly well designed or acceptionally constructed electrical components, e.g TV's I'm still using a CRT in my bed room (purchased back in 1994) and considering buying 40" second hand one as main living room LCD (5 or 6 yrs old) is miss behaving. Today's is a less considerate mind set in some circumstances, ideally i feel we would all like to repair curtain goods but cost, time and the allure of a shiney new prevents many of us from doing so. I have to confess i also have a secret admiration of vintage time pieces, have about 10 of various designs from my younger days, although these only go back to the early 80's some digital some analogue some with dead LCD displays but i still won't throw any away (i maybe a bit of a hoarder). Happy to reveal all my most treasured Walkman function perfectly for now at least.

I have a 28" Sony Trinitron CRT TV complete with remote, for playing my Master System, Megadrive, Dreamcast and original XBOX consoles, cost me £10 from The Heart Foundation charity shop, weighs about 3 tonne