cw (08/13/82)
Some time ago I asked for information on Walkman-like cassette units. Here are the two long replies I received slightly edited. I also got a few short notes. I would be interested in any more comments and would be happy to summarize them. I did listen to an Aiwa CS-J1 today and liked it. Tape hiss was fairly noticeable on some tapes; it was attenuated by the metal setting. (Any purists who shudder at what I did to the equalization should not worry; it seemed sufficiently musical to me and I don't expect absolute hi-fi out of such a small package.) The test tapes were recorded on a very bad set of tape recorders and their distortion was noticeable. However, the Aiwa did not seem to add any at all. Except for the question of Dolby mentioned here and in net.audio, I thought the Aiwa probably met the bill. One more question, though. Has anybody recorded with the Aiwa by dubbing and how were the results? ******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* I'm afraid that if you look for a home deck with high signal to noise ratio, low wow and flutter, and that sounds good with classical (read lots of dynamics), you will probably wind up looking at decks which in also happen to have great high freq. response and mid to high prices. I have a Sony walkman with mic inputs. It is possible to use these inputs to record from a home stereo by using preamp outputs (hence adjustable output level) or from the tape outs. You might need some sort of attenuator/buffer circuit if using the tape outs. The one problem I have noticed is with tape hiss and hum, but since I only use the walkman when I'm out and about it is not terribly annoying. Subject: Re: Walkman ***************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************** Buy a Sony Walkman Professional (WM-D6), if you can spare the $250 (best discount seen so far; lower probably possible). It's the only Walkman- like unit with Dolby B noise reduction, manually settable record levels, etc. It's capable of recording on ferric, chrome, or metal bias tapes; the Aiwa CS-J1 (labeled "metal tape capability" in nifty diagonal lettering) can only \play back/ chrome or metal tape with proper equal- ization. There are lots of outboard tuner packs available, although I understand they don't sound very good (and obviously, make it impossible to record from FM on the Walkman). I have a CS-J1 (built in FM, capable of recording off the air), which I like well enough. They go for around $120 now, and are somewhat more compact than the WM-Pro above. This is probably the most reasonable choice unless you're very finicky. But the WM-Pro seems like a home-quality deck in Walkman's clothing, there's not much comparison. Sony has another one called the WA-55, with built in AM and FM, built- in stereo microphones, and a dinky (mono) speaker. It's quite a bit bigger than most Walkmans, however. Around $170 discounted. I don't know anything more about these (I looked at it in the store). PS. Re AC line operation: I can't speak for other units, but the CS-J1 runs on 4.5 VDC, and there is no detectable speed variation all the way down to 3 volts or so. The WM-D6 allegedly has a crystal oscillator governing motor speed. Most units have AC adaptor jacks however. PPS. I haven't seen a WM-D6 yet (I've gotten some advertising glossies), but am considering buying one. My CS-J1 may become available at that point if you're interested the used route, but I don't know when and I may decide to keep it as a spare (I use it for live recording). If you want to listen to it sometime, let me know (you're at MH, right)? ******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* Thanks for the help. Charles