I'm back to share with you something very special: the upgrading of a Boodo Khan to a 'Super Boodo Khan' that now I have.

Some time ago I sent to Dr Walkman's lab in Italy my best Boodo Khan to repair the 'in-famous' cracked center gear.

As you maybe know, this is a common problem in almost all DD models by SONY. There are many ways to repair it, but I believe that the one that Dr Walkman uses is the best one.

Tuna wrote an interesting article about that in my website:

http://www.walkman-archive.com...ir_by_drwalkman.html

NOTE: After a doubt came to my mind, I realized the story was slightly different:

Meanwhile I was waiting for him to repair my loved DD100, I found on the bay a DC2 head part. And I had an idea: what if... we put an EX head on the Boodo?

I explained to the Dr my idea but he explained me that the only head that he thought it was possible to put is the DC2 head. So I started to search for that head and in a lucky strike, I got one new, and then I sent him. After a few days he contacted my back to give me a bad new: he could mount the head but the performance was a crap. Definitely: no way.

I was sad that it didn't work at all... so I simply let it go and wait until he could finish the work on the gear.

But, some weeks later, he contacted me back: he discovered the reason why the head didn't worked at all: it has a remaining magnetism. So he demagnetized completely and the miracle came out!

The performance was superb, in Dr's words. And, believe me: if he says the performance is excellent, you can be SURE it really is.

This week a very heavy package arrived home with my desired 'Super Boodo Khan'. As soon as I opened the pack, I quickly put two AAs in it, my reference UX-Pro recording and what I can say is that I don't remember many times in my life that I have been blowed out as happened here.

OMG! This thing doesn't sound good... sounds absolutely incredible!!

The highs are cristal-clear to a level I never experienced in any other walkman in my collection. Last night, when I had some free time, I spent two hours comparing it with other top-models of my collection that are in perfect-working condition.

I picked out my best AIWAs: PX101, PX303, PX505 and also my working D6C (but not the 'Super D6C'.

After comparing it with my 12-min reference recording (more info here), I quickly realized that this beast blow them all out. The sound is more detailed, much more wide and way more powerful and loud. And all this, WITHOUT the DOL system.

With the DOL on, you better lower the volume or you may have to call the doctors to assist your heart... OMG!

The bass gain is indeed very heavy, so I leaved my Sennheiser HD280 and picked my BOSE AE2, because the bass is lower.

The W&F is simply unhearable, even with classical music or delicate music with many vocals.

Another thing I realized is that connecting my portable amplifier, the famous CMoy BB, which has a very good reputation for it's good sound and excellent price, something incredible happened... the sound is worse!! I couldn't believe it!

Almost any portable player sounds a bit better with this nice amplifier, that has a design inspired in the Grado amplifier, but the DD100 surpasses it, so you better avoid use it with this marvel!

The last test was to compare it with my SONY K909ES and Nak Dragon decks. Looks too much for a walkman, but let's see...

And guess what? I couldn't hear many differences!! Comparing with the K909ES, the DD100 has a slightly clear highs and more neutral sound. The K909 gives a slightly enhanced bass (that I love so much). Comparing with the Dragon... I really found them very very similar. A bit more detail on the Dragon, but both offer a very wide sound, extremely well detailed sound.

The only one clear difference is the background sound: the DD100 has noticeably more that the decks, but it's also true that when you are listening not to classical music in a quiet environment, you don't hear it so much.

So, I think now I have an excellent companion for high-quality listening, but also for street use, when you normally loose a lot of bass and the background hiss doesn't bother you...

So... I hope I made you dream a bit with this wonderful gadgets.

Now I'm thinking: Can this be the world's best sounding walkman?

Many audiophiles say that the best ones are the DC2 and the DD9, followed by the DD100, DDII and the rest of DDs as well as the best PXs from AIWA.

I don't have my DC2 or my DD9 here, but I guess the real difference between the DD100 and the DC2 is the head. So... what if the head is the same?

You have the DOL system in the Boodo... and boy, if you never heard the DOL by yourself, you definitely will be blowed out when you do.

So this is probably a Boodo Khan vs DD9 matter...

Any thoughts?

TooCool, we know you have excellent and perfectly serviced units and also an excellent ear. What do you think?

thanks for this very interesting topic --

i have a few D6C s and one working// NOT clicking D3 --

and its hard to believe than any other walkman can ever blow

these away -for detail, etc -

but - never heard the boodo khan --so , taking your word on it

Beautiful!

I think we must find a new title for our Italian friend. I think Prof. Dr. would be more appropriate.

I am in the process of writing a DC2 review. The DC2 was restored and heavily modified by him and is as good as I have heard it. On par or better than most high quality 3-head cassette decks. But you will have to wait for the full review!

Tuna, I can't wait for your review, specially after seeing how detailed and amazing they are...

Thanks mate!

But I am still far off from finishing it. Our doctor will have to take a look at it before it is published of course.

I think it will be interesting and I doubt many people realize just how good analog can sound when it is executed properly. Let's make them understand!

Best regards,

Antun