I believe this is a unique and rare model with few still existing. Like help from members on any information on this RX-S40 model.
Questions
1. Is this quartz locked capstan servo ( note elaborate capstan)?
2. Any one else have one and opinion of sound?
3. How rare is this model and did any one other than Sony and Panasonic (National made this model fellow member has the national model) make a DD walkman with Amorphous head?
4. What year was this made and how much sell for new?
5. Anyone repaired the cracked gear on this think it is available on partstore and how hard is it?
6. Anyone have a service manual for it ?

I snagged this on ebay for $21.50 USD. Seller only had one poor picture and little description and not working. When arrived I tried to put tape in could not open player what gives... OMG !!! it expands like the WM-10,20,30,40 series then saw marking on slide out panel AMORPHOUS HEAD I WAS giddy like a child happy. Dare I put batteries in and try it? To my dismay the DREADED gear click of the DD's was there MY GOD could Panasonic not figure out not to fall to this fatal gear disease? Well I took out the blank cheap test tape and put in a metal tape with my favorite soft instrumentals and behold the sound is astounding. I must side by side compare it with my DC2 and say the Sony has sharper almost harsh mid to highs to string and piano. The Pan has this amazing clarity yet softer with attention to detail...as if sitting next to the mandolin and hearing the pluck of the string and the gentle vibration fade vs. most players the sound is like sitting 50 ft from the instrument lacking the music subtle details. The cracked gear can be ever so slightly heard in headphones on blank passages and the tape speed is nearly perfect but on string instruments can sometimes tell not true steady speed. The FF and RWD buttons actually work but was hesitant to have cogs go flying like the toshiba's but thankfully Panasonic did the door actuated mechanism right on this one at least. Also of odd note is the clicking is present on FF but rewind it is not?
Enjoy the pictures and a close look at this unique piece of history. My apology pictures are not up to my standards of clarity new camera had to be shipped off for repair Yes some of my recent acquisitions in background. Now at 212 Walkmans. Will be taking pics and post entire collection soon.

Here are comparison pictures for size against my near mint WM-10RV and also the DC2.

To wet your appetite some here is my list of Panasonic Walkmans. A post in few weeks of all of these coming.
PANASONIC
1. RQ-210S
2. RS-J3
3. RQ-J11 NIB
4. RX-1960 Stereo Recorder/FM
5. RX-SA80 Digital Radio w/presets, A/R w orig. headphones
6. RQ-JA63 5 Band EQ, A/R, Dolby B Red/Black
7. RQ-S75 Blue, Japan Release
8. RQ-SX52 Blue, European Release
9. RQ-SX43 Blue
10. RQ-S25
11. RQ-SX70 R Blue Recording Dolby B
12. RQ-X10
13. RQ-JA5
14. RX-1930
15. RQ-S44
16. RQ-X05
17. RQ-J6
18. RQ-X21
19. RQ-NX60V
20. RQ-SX91 Blue
21. RQ-J6 all accessories
22. RQ-J36
23. RQ-SW99V NIB
24. RX-S28
25. RQ-V520
26. RX-S35
27. RX-2700
28. RQ-S44 BOXED
29. RX-1950
30. RQ-SX72
31. RQ-345
32. RQ-X05 Silver NIB
33. RQ-SX10 Blue
34. RQ-X05 Silver
35. RQ-X11 Black
36. RQ-X11 Silver
37. RX-1930
38. RF-10 Boxed FM radio white
39. RQ-SX99F Blue Recording
40. RX-S40 Direct Drive AM/FM

NOTE CAPSTAN DESIGN

USES 2 AAA Batteries

quote:

ional model) make a DD walkman with Amorphous head?

This looks familiar! This one is a gem John. But to be honest, I don't think it's quartz locked. Doesn't say anywhere but it isn't such a big deal anyway... it's direct drive and the amorphous head is what makes the difference.

I have a silver one which is broken

Wow-what a unique Panasonic.

How many companies made cassette layers with a amorphous head?