Golden Sony TC-KA7ES Restoration & Upgrade: Reaching Nakamichi Sound Level

Sorry, had to reupload as an important part was missing.
Join me as I embark on an exciting restoration and upgrade journey with the Golden Sony TC-KA7ES, bringing this legendary deck to the same sound level as the best Nakamichi decks. In this video, I address issues with the tape transport, perform a complete recap, and upgrade the audio boards to significantly enhance the deck's sound capabilities. The result? Outstanding specs with Wow & Flutter (W&F) in the range of 0.022% - 0.028% and a dynamic, open sound that rivals the top-tier Nakamichi models.
🔧 Restoration & Upgrade Highlights:
Tape Transport Fix: Watch as I repair and fine-tune the tape transport for smooth operation and reduced wear.
Recapping & Audio Board Upgrade: I designed a custom capacitor upgrade to eliminate the compressed sound typical of older Sony decks, allowing the TC-KA7ES to 'breathe' and deliver a more open, natural sound.
On Par with Nakamichi: With this upgrade, the Sony TC-KA7ES now matches the legendary sound quality of Nakamichi decks, achieving the best possible audio performance from cassette tapes.
🎶 Performance Specs:
Wow & Flutter: The deck now boasts low W&F between 0.022% and 0.028%, ensuring ultra-stable playback.
Enhanced Sound Quality: After the upgrade, the deck delivers a clear, dynamic soundstage that rivals even the Sony TC-K555ESA and competes with reel-to-reel decks for the ultimate analog experience.
👂 Share Your Thoughts:
Join the Discussion: Have you upgraded or restored a Sony deck to match Nakamichi levels? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the Sony TC-KA7ES restoration and upgrade. Like, share, and subscribe for more high-end cassette deck restorations and audio performance tips.
🔍 Tags: #SonyTCKA7ES #CassetteDeckRestoration #NakamichiLevel #AudioUpgrade #VintageAudio #WowAndFlutter #SonyRestoration #BestCassetteSound

[@giuseppelavecchia775]

Amico hai le mani d'oro,tecnici del tuo livello oggi sono rari!

[@DarthMaul41]

Amazing W&F result! Good job!

[@marcdehaes]

Do you think I should do the same on my TCK-990ES, replacing the capacitors with the Wurth once?

[@mafon73]

Здравствуйте! Попробовал с Вами связаться по e-mail насчет ремонта моих дек, но уже неделю нет ответа. Может я что то неправильно или не туда послал. Как можно с Вами связаться? Спасибо!

[@HoYinLau-b8o]

Hi, I have many cassette recorders facing the same problem: tape folds appear after recording and fast forward. May I ask if this is a case of recorders having weak torque?

[@hifirulezzz]

@@HoYinLau-b8o it is hard to understand what’s going on from your description. Folds in a half or what?

[@HoYinLau-b8o]

@@hifirulezzz it looks like a series of crease lines perpendicular to the tape path. Gosh I wish I could post photos.

[@hifirulezzz]

@@HoYinLau-b8o understood now, if it happened over time and you did not change settings of the tape path, then I may see only two reasons - bad left pitch roller or poor back tension on the left reel.

[@HoYinLau-b8o]

@@hifirulezzz @hifirulezzz I see. Since this situation is happening on my Sony tc d5m, wm-d6, and wm-d6c, which only have one pinch roller and it is on the right, can I make conclusion that the problem is due to poor back tension of the left reel?

[@hifirulezzz]

@@HoYinLau-b8o I doubt all your devices do that. Maybe just one.

[@johnnyg1700]

What type and make of solid electrolytic did you use on your deck? Might try this myself. Thanks.

[@hifirulezzz]

Solid polymer capacitors from Wurth Electronic, available on Digikey.

[@mr.t8148]

unit for sale?

[@hifirulezzz]

@@mr.t8148 sorry, no

[@thinkgeeks]

I don't like nakamichi sound, so I don't like the mod. nakamichi sound: bass and highs are elevated unnatually.

[@hifirulezzz]

He-he, you should compare the original source and the recorded sound. And that is where we achieve a full match. Nakamichi was the best in doing this full match; that's why their decks are still appreciated so much. Don't be fooled. Nothing is elevated except some bass in earlier models. Sony did great decks before 1986, and then, suddenly, decided to go with the compressed sound.