Recently, I've been looking for a low Serial D6C with the original Laser Amorphous head.

So, I got a low-hours one online for a reasonable price. The seller described it as perfect condition, sounds great, and aside from a slightly loose window, it was fantastic. It looked great in the photos too. Then, I received it.

Playback quality was stunning- a rather remarkable amount of clarity vs my newer Permalloy head D6Cs.

Then I noticed something odd-  an extra jack had been installed on the left side.

I have no idea what it is, but I had a hunch- I flipped the MIC ATT switch and pressed record.

On the 0db setting, the D6C behaved like a normal D6C. On the -20db setting, a low frequency signal was recorded through the right channel. I remember reading about D6Cs being modified for film usage.

I did a search online and found out that it is a crystal sync D6C.

Specifically, it was made by The Film Group for synchronization to a film camera.

It originally retailed for $799, or $1040 with its Resolver. (very expensive stuff)

http://www.webtfg.com/sync2.htm

Unlike the picture above, the D6C looks completely normal with no crystal sync plate on it.

I did some tests using my test tapes. Azimuth was spot on, no discernible wow and flutter, tape speed was in spec, Line out Balance was ok, but the Headphone output was louder by about 1db on the right channel than the left.

This meant that the headphone amp circuit may have been modified to suit its crystal sync purpose.

Now, I have no idea what to do with it.

Should I return it, as it is not a normal D6C as the seller described, keep it and attempt to "undo" the mods that make it a crystal sync machine, or sell it off to a person who would appreciate it more? I remember seeing a crystal sync D6C sell on ebay before but I can't remember what it sold for.

I just want a nice sounding early D6C...

I will post pictures soon.

Is this not a 'nice sounding' D6C?

I don't understand the problem.

Sounds like a win.

Is it a low serial D6C? If so, then maybe.

If it is not a low serial D6C, do you want to keep a D6C with the crystal sync mod?

Very, very low serial. About 10k. Laser Amorphous head (the reason why I bought it)

It sounds great!... through line-out only, as on headphone out the left channel is 1db lower than the right channel, making it suitable only as a desktop machine. Recording Bias is a little too low perhaps.

I have no need for a crystal sync machine, but I appreciate its history.

If you have another early D6C (ie discrete components, but non-pointy LA head), then swap the head/transport out and run this modded crystal sync unit with the non-LA head one.

Or, run this D6C via the line out with a headphone amp.

That should sound brilliant Plop; good idea. You also get to enjoy it while keeping this little bit of history intact. Sweet.

Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread a bit, but while the experts are about I wonder if I might ask a question?

I have in my hand one of my 3 WM D6's and this one is the D6 (Dolby B only) version. It has a pointy head that looks a lot like the one in the pictures above but without the sticker on it. Also, no mention of amorphous heads on the casing of this one. It is S/N 42105, is immaculate and sounds fantastic. What type of head does this one have?

Sorry again, and thanks for any guidance offered.

Nick

According to Walkman Central ...

http://www.walkmancentral.com/products/wm-d6

the WM-D6 has ferrite head.

Unfortunately, my other two D6Cs are late models- SMT glass epoxy board versions, revisions 3 and 4 respectively. Out of these two, I have transferred the more balanced Rec pot from the 3rd revision to the 4th, and wish to keep it that way.

Basically, I have the following options:

1: Attempt to get a refund/partial refund as the seller described it as a normal D6C.

I feel like I should contact the seller and try to resolve it that way.

2: Open it up and find out what is causing the unbalanced headphone output (Just checked the service manual, the area is likely to be between IC301 (Line Amp, which is ok) and IC 102 (Headphone amp).

3: Buy another early D6C (These early models are pretty difficult to come by and tend to cost a bit more)

4: Attempt to sell it off and try to make a profit (provided it is worth much more than what I paid for it)

5: Do what plop has suggested and create a frankenD6C: The board revisions I have are quite different than the original 1st revision D6C, which might mean that it has been changed to better fit the newer, cheaper permalloy head.

Anyways, here is another picture of the head, showing off something unusual: a small screw on the side of the head. Anybody knows what this is for?

My standard early serial D6C has that screw too.... Don't know what it's for. But you could turn it and see what happens....

Btw got nothing but problems with it anyway.... After fixing the muting board it worked very nice for a couple of weeks, but now it got some annoying low volume sparkling noise on the left channel while recording on CrCr or Metal settings. The best accessory to get next to a low serial D6C seems to be an oscilloscope....

Maybe it's usefull to check for (mechanical) problems with the volume slider concerning the headphone out balance?

Most likely to tune the inductance on the head. I would leave well alone, unless you want extra playback and recording problems.

I am currently looking for a D6C and here's what I've found:

No info about this jack (from seller) but obviously it's just another modification of the same crystal sync