Hi. I have recently acquired a Technics M85 cassette deck. Not sure if this was a wise purchase after contemplating the work that needs to be done and my lack of experience in cassette mechanisms.
Here is some of the work i plan to do:
1. Test and replace dry capacitors (around 100 capacitors to check / replace).
2. Clean all switches and potentiometers by dismantling them and polishing the contacts if possible.
3. Service and repair the mechanism.
The mechanism is direct drive so when it does play, it plays well but here are some of the other issues i have encountered so far.
1. The headphone level potentiometer works more like a filter with treble increasing with volume.
2. When playing there is no hum bit when paused or stopped the output has an earth hum (probably faulty capacitors).
3. Very weak FF and RW planning to try to revive or change the rubber on the idler wheel found parts on ali ex but not sure if compatible yet.
4. No dimming action from the pot on the rear that is supposed to dim the meter.
5. Many bad switches, i assume it's the switches. Play sometimes works FF works most of the time, everything works if you try long enough, at first many other switches seemed unresponsive but now they seem to be working mostly or from time to time.
I think this sums it up. I do not service cassette mechanisms and regard this somewhat as a watch-smiths job but i guess i'll give it a go. Demagnetize heads, fit new belts to the counter / sensor, lube up various pinions / shafts, try to fix up the idler wheel.
Well that's about it. These seem to sell for between £200 and £500 but i don't think i've seen any advertised as renovated as planned here. I wonder if the value would increase. To be honest i only have some old mix tapes and a few originals but it's a cool looking unit albeit a bit heavy. Unfortunately it's not in mint condition but it's not bad either.
Does anyone have any experience with these or similar Technics units?
Here is some of the work i plan to do:
1. Test and replace dry capacitors (around 100 capacitors to check / replace).
2. Clean all switches and potentiometers by dismantling them and polishing the contacts if possible.
3. Service and repair the mechanism.
The mechanism is direct drive so when it does play, it plays well but here are some of the other issues i have encountered so far.
1. The headphone level potentiometer works more like a filter with treble increasing with volume.
2. When playing there is no hum bit when paused or stopped the output has an earth hum (probably faulty capacitors).
3. Very weak FF and RW planning to try to revive or change the rubber on the idler wheel found parts on ali ex but not sure if compatible yet.
4. No dimming action from the pot on the rear that is supposed to dim the meter.
5. Many bad switches, i assume it's the switches. Play sometimes works FF works most of the time, everything works if you try long enough, at first many other switches seemed unresponsive but now they seem to be working mostly or from time to time.
I think this sums it up. I do not service cassette mechanisms and regard this somewhat as a watch-smiths job but i guess i'll give it a go. Demagnetize heads, fit new belts to the counter / sensor, lube up various pinions / shafts, try to fix up the idler wheel.
Well that's about it. These seem to sell for between £200 and £500 but i don't think i've seen any advertised as renovated as planned here. I wonder if the value would increase. To be honest i only have some old mix tapes and a few originals but it's a cool looking unit albeit a bit heavy. Unfortunately it's not in mint condition but it's not bad either.
Does anyone have any experience with these or similar Technics units?