Sony WM D6C Walkman belt repair & recording test

[@Raptor50aus]

I have the D6C fully restored 5 years ago and its a great player and recorder but its not the best sounding walkman ever made. I had the repair the DC converter and replace the speed chip when the wrong AC adapter was used. Working perfect now and like new. The Sony DC2 or D100 Boodoo Khan are better. Then there is the AIWA PX10 which I have fully restored which is considered one of the best sounding. The Sony DD9 is overrated and over priced. Just restored the famous AIWA HS-P7 very nice too.

[@JanusCycle]

Can I adjust my wording to 'One of the best sounding' to be more accurate? Thank you for the info. Your collection sounds great. I have always wanted a smaller DD series Walkman especially a Boodoo Khan because of the branding. For now I'm really enjoying the D6C. I'm about to do my first ever recording in Dolby C.

[@Raptor50aus]

@@JanusCycle yes I started my collection 18 months ago and over 50 walkmans later still collecting. All of mine are fully working. :)

[@TokyoScarab]

How does it not sound the best?

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Do you mean "Budokan"? LOL

[@lostboii3588]

@@BlueBeeMCMLXI It quite literally says Boodoo Khan on the unit, but yes it refers to Budokan.

[@tomproctor.archive]

Thanks! My D6 has been broken for years, and I was wondering if I’d ever be able to use it again but I just replaced the belt in about 15 minutes. Thanks to your helpful video. 🎉

[@JanusCycle]

Great to hear, thanks for letting me know. It's a fine machine, I hope you continue to enjoy using it.

[@tomproctor.archive]

I got two of them. I'm doing the other one tomorrow. The belt in the first one was dried and crispy. They just don't last more than twenty years. Such a great machine. I made this recording with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYLUoXybhc5qh5o

[@JanusCycle]

@@tomproctor.archive I'm listening to some songs from your Doc Watson recording. Really nice clear recording. The third track 'St James Infirmary' is amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@LaurentValette1234]

The very best sounding walkman is the 701 C but more audiophile is the DD-9 ! And one of the best recording portable recorder is the TCD-5M. I have three WM-D6C.... I discover Marantz CP 430 and that is excellent !

[@JanusCycle]

Nice machines you have there. I have an R707, like the 701C but no Dolby C.

[@LaurentValette1234]

@@JanusCycle Yep ! And also Aiwa, Panasonic etc....But i reconize that i don't use them everyday ! 😁

[@JanusCycle]

@@LaurentValette1234 Oh Aiwa, they were cool.

[@TitoMariategui]

Hi, Someone is trying to sell me a Sony TC-D5M, and I wonder if this could make hifi recordings to chrome and metal tape at the same level as a 3 head deck can. Thanks in advance!

[@JanusCycle]

@@TitoMariategui The Tc-D5M is known for being as good as a quality full size deck. www.tapeheads.net/threads/how-does-a-tc-d5m-compare-to-the-best-of-the-decks-in-recording.94697/

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Welcome to the club. I enjoy my wm-d6c greatly and completely agree with it being one of the best sounding Walkman's out there. Bit unwieldy to take out and about, even if I do have the shoulder strap and case but for portable around the house listening it's perfect. Enjoy it! Remember to alter the bias correctly for the tape material it looked like you had it on metal for the chrome tape (could explain the cut outs, driving it too hot for Chrome) and your final recording on metal showed clipping in audacity from a line out feed, so maybe dial back the recording levels a tiny bit. Metal loves it hot, but not too hot :)

[@JanusCycle]

Thanks, I really though I had selected the correct bias at the time. I like to learn from really pushing limits and now I know what can happen. I have recently acquired some more chrome tapes to test. Also I've never tried Dolby C before, looking forward to experiencing the good and the bad with that.

[@delroyshay5870]

I have this walkman AFAIK it still works almost full kit including rechargeable battery pack made by Sony.. The only thing that's missing are original headphones. Sony also made a tiny stereo mic that plugs directly into the unit, but this is lost even online, ie there are no photos of it on the WWW, but it's out there, extremely, extremely rare.

[@danmcbmusic]

These things are absolute beasts. By the way, with these - if it runs from batteries, the batteries are good. They have a tiny custom build DC/DC converter so falling battery volts doesn't trouble them. Pretty damn advanced for the 1980s!

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Bud... a team of people bright as anyone alive now ... made .. this.

[@orun4k737]

Wow, the results sound so amazing 😲👌

[@stewarthumphreys8960]

Great video.. Been thinking of buying one of these or the tcs 300 but kinda put off doing so because of the maintenance and repair factors but after watching this I'm feel more comfortable in going ahead and buying one.. Thank you..

[@JanusCycle]

Sony designed these to be serviced. There are also service manuals. Take it slow and careful, it's not too hard. Enjoy your tape deck :)

[@scheist4]

thanks so much for your detailed conveyance ( great graphics )of the belt replacement ,,I was able to succeed in replacing my belt !!,,

[@sergiosimonetti5242]

Ho anch'io un WM-D6C. Devo cambiare le cinghie. Ho visto il tuo video fatto molto bene, chiaro sempre a fuoco e immagini dettagliate anche nei particolari e quindi mi sono iscritto .Ho fatto a quei tempi molte registrazioni di quartetti di strumenti a corda ed ha un ottima qualita' come suono .Continua cosi Grazie

[@JanusCycle]

Thank you I really appreciate knowing this is helpful. I hope you enjoy the music.

[@LillyPadPwnz]

Just acquired one of these from GoodWill for cheap, haven't gotten around to test it yet but I want to assume the worst and just clean it/fix it/repair it before any handling. Thank you for this

[@JanusCycle]

Nice find. There are quite robust mechanically. A new belt may be all that's needed. I have seen one with bad audio which I believe may be the capacitors. But I have more to learn.

[@LillyPadPwnz]

@@JanusCycle before I begin ordering parts, would you recommend only replacing what's needed to be replaced? Or should I order everything replaceable (belts, tires, pinch roller, etc. etc) and just go ahead and replace while I'm in there?

[@JanusCycle]

It might depend on how much you want to use it. With the quality of the tire and pinch roller, I found the belt only needed replacing.

[@35014]

Very good video Janus, particularly as I have just followed it to repair my WM-D6C. I am delighted to say it is now working as good as new.I followed you 'frame by frame' but what a job with those small screws. Two points. First don't attempt this without a magnetic set of screw drivers; I did not and getting the screws back in places was a nightmare. Second be careful to reattach the spring to the bracket holding the flywheel or the eject will not work. My only unease is that a small white plastic toothed 'bit' fell out and I only found it when it was all reassembled. It does not seem to affect the operation but no doubt I will find out in due course what it does!!!!!

[@JanusCycle]

That's a great story and some good tips in there, thanks for sharing.

[@roneystapes]

Great video, brought back good memories! 👍🏻

[@vladb1378]

I have TCS-350, from 1983.

[@TheDjcarlos67]

Thanks for this. I just ordered some new belts so I can repair mine

[@JanusCycle]

I hope the repair goes well, happy to help if I can.

[@JohnAranita]

When recording live audio, Metal type tape is the best option! Some audiophiles say that don't use Dolby NR with Metal tapes.

[@MakeTechPtyLtd]

Great video!

[@kdsnext5550]

Awesome test, thanks dude, going to buy one after your review

[@melvinch]

A travesty to record from a phone to this marvelous piece of engineering !

[@JanusCycle]

I know right, no DAC is worthy

[@RetroPlus]

The inside of that thing is a nightmare, imagine trying to repair that if something went wrong with the circuit

[@JanusCycle]

It's definitely a scary labyrinth. But these were the days of complete service manuals. I do have a faulty D6 with bad sound. One day I might be brave enough to try :)

[@jon123423]

You selected Chrome for Metal tape, Why? @ 13:05

[@Raptor50aus]

A full recapping is also strongly advised.

[@JanusCycle]

Thanks, it may not be soon but that's on the list.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

Do not recap this, unless you're someone like Carlson's Lab and have an incredibly steady hand and the patience of a saint. You've witnessed the finesse shown by the manufacturer at assembling these units after taking yours apart and noting the wiring. This is one of those times where "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes into play. Recapping something that is dealing with large voltage, makes sense. Big PDs make for big booms, a short at B+ voltages with a mains psu current source behind it = valves blowing, magic smoke being let loose and perhaps fire. Small voltages such as those in the d6c are far more likely to fail considerably more gracefully, and it's just not worth it unless it's already broken. Edit: just caught some more of your vids, you've a new sub and you do indeed appear to follow in Carlson's labs footsteps so perhaps my concerns above aren't warranted in your case :)

[@nikineebay1778]

Thank you for the valuable video, but I still need help. I have the same problem you have in your video , I changed the belt, but I still have the same problem. Any suggestions please. Thank you again.

[@richc4074]

Great video mate, thanks.

[@garethonthetube]

A few sneaky edits there! Mine plays but doesn't rewind or fast forward. Some other belts hidden deep down I fear!

[@JanusCycle]

I believe the belt I changed runs the take up spindle in play mode and I thought it also did fast forward and rewind. There is another belt for the tape counter. I don't think there are any others. The main part of the mechanism is direct drive. Hopefully the editing helps to make my experience clear. I wish you luck finding what is wrong with yours.

[@garethonthetube]

@@JanusCycle Thanks for replying. I found another video which shows a seized pivot to be the culprit which was stopping the idler wheel moving against the flywheel. Just needed to be cleaned out and re-greased. A bit fiddly but looks possible.

[@izwanshaari9854]

That is a bloody good recording quality. Better than some home decks I would say. I wonder if WM-D3 will be able to produce near same result. I do know it could only record into Type-1.

[@montana01971]

And type 2 also

[@izwanshaari9854]

@@montana01971 You mean the WM-D3? That's good to know.

[@montana01971]

@@izwanshaari9854 yes I do. The D3 can record on both type I and II but not III or IV

[@LapisandHamtarolover]

​@izwanshaari9854 I'm sure the D3 outperform many modern day cassette decks from the 2010s and the 2020s.

[@darcybowyer5743]

Wonder if a new belt would fix mine, worked fine 2 years ago and now it has a warbling sound on playback/record but all functions work fine. Seems to be too easy to stop the mechanism when playing tapes.

[@JanusCycle]

The capstan that regulates the speed is direct drive, while the belt only drives the take up reels. You might want to check the rubber direct drive wheel for smooth running against the motor.

[@Struja_51]

whats is the music in 13:07? It so good stereo.

[@kennarajora6532]

3:05, The Walkman looked like the notes I made in my schoolbook.

[@johnnyhansen3761]

Thanks for great instructions :-) I also need to replace the belt om my WM D6C - but impossible because of one screw is stuck- see the video at 5:41 - I have all FixIt tools, but no solution How can I remove that screw? Any advice?

[@luckykennedy7364]

God I’d love to get one of those.

[@bletheringfool]

These are super expensive even just for parts. But I want one!

[@Budgiebrain994]

I don't think I've ever heard a cassette sound as good as that did. Granted I am barely a millennial.

[@JanusCycle]

Most cassettes including pre-recorded ones generally used Type I Ferric cassettes. When combined with average or cheap decks didn't sound amazing. Using a decent deck and a decent cassette you could get sound recordings that started to approach something comparable to vinyl or CD quality. In fact, I believe using a Metal Type IV cassette and Dolby S noise reduction, the quality was indistinguishable from CDs. That was expensive though. For the average user, a Chrome Type II cassette and a decent quality Walkman sounded great and didn't cost too much.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

They're also mastered at like 96x speed. If you've ever compared a high-speed dubbing copy of a tape to the original, you can tell the faster copy is defo not as good.

[@Shrebina-kq4cs]

that's the track you chose to test recording with? A track in which both the snare and the guitar are heavily distorted ? :-))))

[@JanusCycle]

I know. I'm a madman :)

[@dianasmith23]

Hi, I got problem with a volume. No noise . All the buttons work but no volume. Any idea what could be wrong. Thanks

[@JanusCycle]

My first thought is bad capacitors.

[@nickjames205]

Just found one at a thrift store for $5 had to order the battery holder and I'm hoping it will work.

[@JanusCycle]

Well done. These are built to last. Except for the belt which is easy to replace.

[@raulgonzalez139]

I hope it worked as many of them are broken because of use wrong power adapter.

[@zoltansolymos706]

It is all ok! But where did you order the new belt from?

[@JanusCycle]

I used one from an assorted belt pack from eBay. In the D6C the belt is used for fast forward and rewind only, so the belt does not need to be exact.

[@LucyVi_]

I accidently loosened the whit plastic screw of the part you are unscrewing at 5:44. How do I now know if its to tight or not? I think the mechanism ist louder than before.

[@JanusCycle]

I had a look inside my D6C. I'm not sure what you mean by white? plastic screw. The metal screw is done up hand tight in the metal post.

[@LucyVi_]

@@JanusCycle i mean the counter screw for the capstan

[@ruskiwatts4091]

The tape counter digits do not seem to work, apart from that looks and sounds great

[@JanusCycle]

Well spotted. The tape counter uses a different belt. Which I didn't have on hand.

[@giuseppelavecchia775]

Il tape selector e' impostato su type2,la metal-xr e' una type4.il contatore non va

[@thisislilraskal]

Ahh, now I know why the audio on all your videos sound so good. What is the name of the song?

[@barrypark1881]

Recently found one of these for 8 bucks at goodwill, the belt is spinning but won't fast forward or rewind, I dont hear any audio either

[@JanusCycle]

Well done, even in that condition they are worth a lot more. Play turns the tape but no audio at all? or a faint buzz or hiss in the headphones?

[@hongleiming9752]

I have a WM-D6 with the same problem. I was going to junk it but after seeing your video I will try to fix it . Where do I buy the bend/belt? This model has been discontinued.

[@JanusCycle]

I bought a packet on eBay by searching 'assorted tape belt'. For other models you would usually need to find the exact match. But for D6/D6C models using the assorted pack works well.

[@hongleiming9752]

Thank you. I ordered an assorted pack of bands on eBay. I’ll watch your video again when I get I get the belt.

[@JanusCycle]

@@hongleiming9752 If you have any more questions please ask me. I hope it goes well.

[@4130aykut]

@@JanusCycle i will repair my d6c the next days. It makes some strange sounds when i press play. I hope its not something that is damaged.

[@matteobarsanti8139]

@@hongleiming9752 did you succeed?

[@farlord9264]

I know im late but what is record level? what number should i use depending on various cassette tape?

[@themultichallengeteam1654]

Where can you get screws for the wm-d6 and I was wondering if I had it sent off to you if you could fix it, the play button works but it slows down after like 2 seconds and then stops. You can't reverse it, even when the button is pressed and when you fast forward it its like the play button, slows down then stops. And there's a bad hissing sound when you listen to tapes and when you record tapes too, maybe even worse. Can I send it in to you to get it fixed

[@JanusCycle]

I'm sorry, I'm in Australia, too far away and too expensive.

[@ratte6398]

hey janus... where did you get your belts ? my belds i ordered are in bad quality so i have a lot of wow .... thy for repley

[@JanusCycle]

I bought a set of 'assorted tape belts' from eBay. Very cheap. Not sure why you would be getting lots of wow though. The D6C is direct drive. So the capstan doesn't use a belt, only the take up reel.

[@VeritasKonig]

Yo Janus, cool vids -keep up the good work ! Curious about that cool tune you recorded on that metal tape ...what is that ? Shazam can't catch it...

[@JanusCycle]

Hi, thanks! That music is a 49 second clip that was given to me 20 years ago. I also don't know the track name or artist. I was told it is an unreleased Depeche Mode outtake. But I don't think that's correct. I'm hoping that by including it here, to one day find someone who knows.

[@planet_oith]

I used to get "synth magazine" back in da 80's and sometimes a free cassette came taped to the cover. As I can recall one time the first digitally remastered "passenger" by Iggy pop and a Cocteau twins tune. ( Who Recorded digitally) But also tunes using the latest synth's etc. Not saying it's from synth mag but I think I've heard it before.. Mummy's letting me have her Sony walkman, similar to yours. Play on it is slow so thanks for the video and will update you on model and fix results. Cheers!

[@ollybrian]

Hello, Greetings from Mexico, that model you have, how can I have it? or where can I buy it?

[@JanusCycle]

I buy stuff from eBay mostly. Also occasionally on Japanese Yahoo auctions, but that can be expensive.

[@pureblanc9957]

The Best is DD2 with MDR-51 or Aiwa HP-V9

[@JanusCycle]

Very nice machines, that Aiwa looks fantastic.

[@pureblanc9957]

@@JanusCycle yes :))) the D6C is Nice. I have 260 Walkmen ??? And all Headphones but no V-9 🥲

[@hongleiming9752]

Let me remove the cover and try to find where the spring goes. Someone on KZbin said the spring controls the EJECT function. If I can’t get it to work properly I’ll consider selling it.

[@godsownkannur]

A friend of mine gave me a non working unit. It's battery had leaked and completely destroyed the battery case. Anyone knows how the + and - splits into 3 contacts in the player? If i can get an idea i think I can fabricate a case for the batteries.

[@SPARE4RATIONS]

I would give an arm and a leg just to have one

[@german_dude_]

Just shot one on eBay for 300 Eur, what a bargain 😀

[@stevenmann9769]

The parabolic head being better is just a myth. All models that say amorphous head have an amorphous head.

[@JanusCycle]

The folks at tapeheads.net are quite passionate, I'm not going to tell them :)

[@stevenmann9769]

@@JanusCycle (sigh) I already have…

[@nekoprince9621]

No idler tire, capstan ring or pinch roller replacment. Yeah its not going to sound the best without a full restoration.

[@JanusCycle]

Analogue is hard, because where do you draw the line in effort vs quality?

[@ОлекйФоменко]

Hallo. Können Sie denselben Player für mich wiederherstellen?

[@JanusCycle]

Unfortunately I can't. Be sure to check the stereo2go and TapeHeads forums for people who offer these services.

[@ОлекйФоменко]

Vielen Dank für die Informationen.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

You didn't de-magnetise the head.

[@potassiumchloride6968]

12:55 music title please?

[@JanusCycle]

No title, lost song on the internet, or a Depeche Mode demo.

[@4130aykut]

I also got one in a used condition. It has some issues, i have to fix it. But only god knows if i will be successfull;-))

[@JanusCycle]

Take your time and enjoy the experience. At the very least you will have gained new experiences and learned something. Good luck!

[@4130aykut]

@@JanusCycle but what,if i damage it? Or i forget which screw to the right place?

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Be a HERO, make it direct drive.

[@manashara2504]

There is quiet horror inside!

[@shaneanagrams]

Laughs in DAT

[@shaneanagrams]

Joke, by the way

[@sililtatchu]

Can someone hacking the walkman?

[@acefrehley3797]

THERE IS ANOTHER SONY FIELD RECORDER/PLAYER. BUT NEW WE USE MEMO RECORDERS WITH CHIPS ON BOARD. HOW EVER THERE ARE AUDIO CASSETTES WITCH ARE SO LITLE. YOU MIGHT WANNA LOOSE IT. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

[@JanusCycle]

I lost it a long time ago

[@acefrehley3797]

@@JanusCycle THE SONY FIELD RECORDER/PLAYER. HAD A MORE EXPENCIVE PRICE. THAN THE VERSION YOU USE IN THIS VIDEO. IF YOU LOST IT. TAKE A WAY BETTER LOOK AT YOUR STUF. CAUSE IT IS MORE REARE THAN THE VERSION IN THIS VIDEO.

[@thezogs95]

What do you want for it? I'll pay $$$

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

You have offended the gods.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

But now you are listening to digital, and could have had natural analogue sound. You just busted the whole point of having the Walkman on cassette. 21st Century people do not understand what sound is ...

[@JanusCycle]

Pure analogue sound is a religion. The good news is that we hear a specific bandwidth of analogue frequencies, that can be recorded as digital Nyquist-Shannon sampling. When played back the digital information melts back into perfect analogue waves, and we hear only the natural analogue sound again. It's a beautiful experience.

[@acefrehley3797]

I TOUGHT THAT WE NEW ARE COMPLEATE: "DIGITAL." SO WHY DON'T YOU TAKE A SONY PORTEBOL MINI DISC RECORDER/PLAYER. AND NO NOT A SONY DIGITAL TAPE RECORDER/PLAYER.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

The choice of Bootleggers. Get a man dead.