Dismantling the Hitachi D-85S Cassette Deck

[@velvetcondom]

I've owned D-85s in the beginning of 80s, second owner after harsh using, and used it every day for several years. It never chewed, but much worse - it never kept azimuth on different cassettes. You could adjust everything well on test cassette, and this adjustment was kept on some exact cassettes only. You could insert a cassette of the same brand, and suddenly it goes out of focus - seamingly, the problem of bad pinch roller that you described. The 2nd problem was a condition of take-up roller used for RW/FF - it's intended to be of some exact friction moment, which is impossible to achieve for even a basic set of cassettes - depending on temperature or tension the RW/FF may not work at all or be too strong. But in general, the deck has left a very good impression - mostly electronic part - much better than most other brands of the same price category at the time.

[@kikurass322]

I used to have the D-35-S back in 1983 I had to sell it along with the rest of my kit, I was unemployed at the time and had to sell it to pay bills, it was coupled to the HA-2700 a D-550 and a Technics SL-1500 Turntable. I am currently trying to buy a D-90S dual capstan 3 head machine. I am slowly building up my old system, albeit with higher end Hitachi gear than I had back in the 80's, so far I have bought a HA-4700 a FT-3400 tuner, the turntable I am currently using is a full auto Akai AP-D40. I just last week bought my original HA-2700, it is pretty darn basic in comparison the the HA-4700, quite under powered, but it's a blast from the past, I have repaired it and am giving it to my son as his first amplifier :) I am wondering what your opinion is on the HA-4700, I loved mine when it was working, it failed a few weeks back from over temperature on the right channels 2SC-2525, I have ordered almost every component in both the pre-amp stage and the finals, also filter caps for the PSU etc etc, not all parts have arrived yet so it will be a little down the track, but I can't wait to get it back up and running because I am using the HA-2700 right now as a replacement and it just sounds weak and well not altogether horrible it sure lacks in a lot of areas. I assume you like your 4700 as you remark that you are still using it, I found it has awesome sound, and some of its features are quite brilliant. I love old Hitachi gear and hope to have a very decent system before too long. Great video mate, I love watching you work, you should have an apprentice, you're a very good teacher. Cheers from down under.

[@MichaelBeeny]

I remember that deck quite well, chewing up tape could be a problem even when new!! The only fix was, as you found, bending the pinch wheel support. Very technical I know. This was a very common way to repair cassette decks as there was often nothing to adjust. Some cassette decks did not like some brands of tape and even less liked the C120 as the tape was very thin and easily rapped it's self around the capstan. Give me a reel to reel any time!!

[@CC6842]

Does anyone know where a capstan belt for the D-85s can be purchased now?

[@breezebenitses397]

Hi there joules great video. I picked Hitachi system deck amp cassette and tuner for£15. Absolute bargain. I need to change the belts on D 35s. They'd melted. Any videos or suggestions would be gratefully received. Do you have an email? Regards

[@t0nito]

Very helpful video, thanks, I need to replace the belts but I can't find a kit anywhere.

[@JoulesperCoulomb]

The smaller belts were selected from a generic kit of many sizes of replacement belts. So, without taking them out again, I can't tell you their dimensions, but I don't think you should find it difficult to obtain replacements. I used one of these for the capstan drive belt: cpc.farnell.com/_/belt6/belt-flat-72-0x3-5mm-diaxw-0-5mm/dp/AVBELT6

[@CC6842]

JoulesperCoulomb would you know where to get the flat belt from now? The link is dead now and I’d love to get one thanks

[@TheDutyPaid]

I have a Hitachi D-550 can the front door be removed the same way?

[@JoulesperCoulomb]

TheDutyPaid I've never worked on one of those, so I don't know. I recently made some repairs to a Hitachi D-E57. Rather than sliding up and off, its outer door was held to the inner plastic frame by two plastic pegs that I had to push out from the inside. My advice is to use a bright light and make a close examination of everything and hopefully you'll be able to work out how to take it apart. If you can find a service manual, that might well have disassembly instructions or an exploded diagram of all the parts.

[@TheDutyPaid]

JoulesperCoulomb Thank you for the fast reply, I've seen a service manual on ebay and was not too sure how helpful it would be, but will get it now as I need to replace the bands. I repair typewriters for a living and have training in electronics but this will be my first cassette deck.

[@frazzleface753]

Recording your voice was a nice touch :)

[@Landotter1]

I always HATED repairing cassette decks... Kind of a goofy design, using 2 motors. plenty of high end and cheap stuff used only one motor for everything including engaging the head and reverse.... It amazes me how many intricate parts involved with a cassette player and how inexpensive they were.... VCR's and CD players were too.... Damn, come to think of it, that was 20 years ago.... OOF... :-D

[@vanrutgar6536]

They are a nitemare ,takes me back to the early 70s ,anyone who can perfectly retro engineer and mend a cassette tape player ,is a genius

[@airsetsuna1162]

Great video