I have just been given an AIWA DAT recorder which is faulty.
I'd like to use it for mastering some of my own backing tracks, if I can fix it - it came with over 60 tapes, so I don't care if it's obsolete...
The machine accepts tapes OK, but as soon as you try to play or wind them the 'CAUTION' light on the front panel display lights up and then nothing works but the eject button.
It laces up the tape properly and the head drum spins briefly when the tape is inserted, but nothing else happens.
It seems to be able to find the start of the tracks by winding the tape, but won't do any more...
Does anyone have any experience with these machines?
Graham
I'd like to use it for mastering some of my own backing tracks, if I can fix it - it came with over 60 tapes, so I don't care if it's obsolete...
The machine accepts tapes OK, but as soon as you try to play or wind them the 'CAUTION' light on the front panel display lights up and then nothing works but the eject button.
It laces up the tape properly and the head drum spins briefly when the tape is inserted, but nothing else happens.
It seems to be able to find the start of the tracks by winding the tape, but won't do any more...
Does anyone have any experience with these machines?
Graham
Did you ever find out how to cure the 'caution' indicator? I have the same problem on an S110 that I've owned for years but lost the manual.
Cheers Andy
AIWA DAT Recorder problem
November 2008 update.
I only had one reply - from another owner who has the same problem.
The machine has been in its' box in the loft since I posted the question and now I've got to decide if it's worth keeping any longer.
I can't locate an AIWA service centre in the UK and HHB who used to support these machines for professional use won't talk to me, so I don't know where to go next.
I can't locate a workshop manual and no-one can tell me what the Caution light is there for.
One final plea for help...
November 2008 update.
I only had one reply - from another owner who has the same problem.
The machine has been in its' box in the loft since I posted the question and now I've got to decide if it's worth keeping any longer.
I can't locate an AIWA service centre in the UK and HHB who used to support these machines for professional use won't talk to me, so I don't know where to go next.
I can't locate a workshop manual and no-one can tell me what the Caution light is there for.
One final plea for help...
Some old machines based on spinning heads had an humidity sensor. The function of this sensor was to avoid mayor problems if due temperature changes humidity condensation on the drum makes the tape to adhere to the drum.
May be the Humidity sensor got bad.
Just an Idea...
Cheers..
Jorge.
May be the Humidity sensor got bad.
Just an Idea...
Cheers..
Jorge.
Caution LIght
Hi Jorge,
thanks for the suggestion.
I can't locate anything like a humidity sensor, but I may have found some help by thinking laterally...
SONY bought AIWA and I've been in touch with them to ask for help.
They told me that the workshop manual is available through CPC, and also any spares I may need.
CPC have confirmed that they can get me the manual, the only downside is they operate a minimum order charge of £25.
Fortunately, I was thinking of ordering some replacement piezo tweeters from them for another repair job I'm doing, so the bill may be high enough to avoid paying an excess.
I'll report further when I make any progress.
Hi Jorge,
thanks for the suggestion.
I can't locate anything like a humidity sensor, but I may have found some help by thinking laterally...
SONY bought AIWA and I've been in touch with them to ask for help.
They told me that the workshop manual is available through CPC, and also any spares I may need.
CPC have confirmed that they can get me the manual, the only downside is they operate a minimum order charge of £25.
Fortunately, I was thinking of ordering some replacement piezo tweeters from them for another repair job I'm doing, so the bill may be high enough to avoid paying an excess.
I'll report further when I make any progress.
Caution warning
Hi Graham,
Have you still got it ?. I've just looked it up in the manual (I own an XD-S1100). I suspected the "humidity" problem as VTR machines often have these. However the manual states "cassette shell is DEFORMED or IMPAIRED, replace cassette". If it does it to all tapes it could be a mis-aligned tray, perhaps it has been "forced" at some point in it's life. Out of interest, when the take up of DAT as a consumer format (As opposed to pro-audio) was not going well, Aiwa sold all of it's remaining stocks of DAT machines to Julian Richer for clearing and I got my brand new machine for £350 if I remember right. I think the previous retail price was around £699.
Hi Graham,
Have you still got it ?. I've just looked it up in the manual (I own an XD-S1100). I suspected the "humidity" problem as VTR machines often have these. However the manual states "cassette shell is DEFORMED or IMPAIRED, replace cassette". If it does it to all tapes it could be a mis-aligned tray, perhaps it has been "forced" at some point in it's life. Out of interest, when the take up of DAT as a consumer format (As opposed to pro-audio) was not going well, Aiwa sold all of it's remaining stocks of DAT machines to Julian Richer for clearing and I got my brand new machine for £350 if I remember right. I think the previous retail price was around £699.
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