Hi,

Reading the info on pocketcalculatorshow site I noticed that they state that there were a Panasonic device called RF-H20 that had a feature called "Ultra-phonic mode" that amplifies the bass&treble. So I searched and someday I found a photo of a model called SA80 that features this misterious feature.

John explained that the RF-H20 is not a walkman, but a radio. After some research and with the help and collaboration of John Edward, I could get my hands on a Panasonic RX-SA80, and here it is:

And it's beautiful, indeed. Here there is the 'famous' switch:

In this thread I shared my question with John and a few time later we could confirm that it was released in 1986, so it's one year before the legendary Boodo Khan. and here there are the two first walkmans to include such a feature:

Thanks John for the help!!

Hugo  Always my pleasure to work with you and happy to help you with information or finding a Walkman.  What a magnificent clean looking example and boxed too with headphones.  Indeed a special find.   The Ultra phonic mode indeed boost bass and treble very nicely up to about vol. level 7 (which is LOUD on this player it has

15 mW x 2) then the bass become a tad over emphasized which the one year later Sony DD100 DOL circuit does a better job as you crank up the vol. it backs off the boost level so that you can turn the Sony to 9 and the bass is still boosted without causing distortion.   All in all a very nice sounding Walkman and a great example of how truly for me Sony and Panasonic were the two top mfg. fighting it out with technological developments.  Aiwa too in the very early days then they became a clone of Sony's tech.  Certainly in the 90's Sony/Aiwa and Panasonic were the two powerhouse mfg's. of quality Walkman.

   When I first read Hugo's mention of the Ultra Phonic mode I had never heard of this on a Panasonic. Did research and when I saw photo of the SA80 seemed in my memory I had this player.  Well far back in corner behind the huge early Toshiba's hidden away with orig. headphones was the SA80 WOW even surprised myself.  And it works great to boot.  It was one of the first Walkman I bought 5 years ago and had not been used since and fired right up.  Bravo Panasonic.  IMO of ALL Walkman from the early 80's Panasonic is the mfg. most likely to still work great even with orig. belts and I have found this true many times.

PANASONIC RX-SA80

Curiously I could not find a single model number marking on the headphones which seems unusual.   Definitely the old style with sliding band and plastic Dot at end of metal band.

I've just updated the Boodo Khan page in m website with a reference to this walkman and some photos...

Enjoy it!

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