Now that I'm back from vacation, it's time to start resurrecting cassette decks again. Today, I'll be working on my Technics RS-M88, a quartz locked direct drive two head machine from 1980 intended to become my main playback deck from here on out. This particular line of decks is known for being extremely well built, so I want to see how this one performs.
Every Technics/Panasonic/National deck of this vintage requires a 100% recap. The capacitors used in them do not last. So this job will take me a while.
Belts used:
Counter A - 173mm IC x 1mm round
Counter B - 100mm IC x 0.7mm square
Lamps: 6V 3mm "grain of wheat" - the deck uses five of them. Idler: Fix Your Audio.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theweatherwolf
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/oklawolf/
My Favorite 5 Cassette Decks for Sound Quality:
1 - JVC TD-V931
2 - A&D GX-Z9100
3 - Aiwa XK-007 / Carver TD-1700m (tie)
4 - Yamaha KX-1000
5 - Sony TC-K666ES
0:00:00 - Intro
0:03:24 - Pre-service check
0:06:09 - Recapping
0:11:47 - 100V to 120V compatibility
0:17:06 - Transport removal
0:21:50 - Button switch service
0:34:57 - Transport service
0:46:37 - Idler
0:56:56 - Pinch roller
1:03:10 - Reel tables
1:13:28 - Erase head polishing
1:17:13 - Cassette door clean and lube
1:20:59 - Belt shenanigans
1:26:06 - More problems
1:33:24 - Capstan motor alignment results
1:37:13 - Wow and flutter check