You talked about wow & flutter, but you had the NAK T-100 software set to display the audio level, not the wow & flutter, and you didn't turn off its built-in test tone oscillator.
I was actually flicking through the video looking for the W&F test given he is meant to have a calibrated 3kHz tape + appropriate software! what a disappointing review.
@@wch346that is not too terrible all considered. Still sounds a bit warbly, though! A frequency response plot would have been nice too (no way to do that)
@@anadialog 100%!!! I LOVED cassettes. Also loved my mini discs, mp3 players, it goes on. But a new really good tape player would be awesome! Nothing cooler than making a mixed tape.
@@rikimiki12 Not necessarily, just because they don’t have the original factories or parts available on hand doesn’t mean they can’t remanufacture them again. It just means they won’t mass produce them like back in the day. Probably be one of those limited quantities releases like Audio Techica did with their rerelease of the Sound Burger portable turntable which came with some modern perks in it like Bluetooth connection. The biggest issue I would have with Sony though would be pricing of such re release, knowing how they have been lately it be some ridiculous price of over $1000
@@anadialog $ONY shall not redo what she used to do. If you were a big shareholder of that PLC entity . You would be able to say what you prefer, Remember, you better express in Japanese first during these formal meeting.
I believe the small plastic part included in your box is a screen protector for the front window to keep it pretty. it appears to be the screen protectors that you can find online but cut to fit the viewing window.
I have the "We are rewind" & have had it for about a year. It cost me an arm & leg to friggin' get it here! That said, I'm glad I have it. After an azimuth adjustment, it works fine. The loudness & quality of the sound depends on the tape being played. But all & all, EXPENSIVE but fine. I'm happy with it.
What exactly do you mean by "azimuth adjustment"? I already received a third replacement and all of them sound like absolute garbage (especially treble) due to the azimuth. I find out that is gets better when I pull the door slightly, but it feels absolutely ridiculous to do things like this with such an expensive device. Matthieu from the company wrote me that they have never heard about this before from other customers, are they deaf? Because three units with the same fault in a row, that cannot be a mistake. Overall, a huge disappointment. So anything that would improve this would be greatly appreciated.
Yes please explain the azimuth adjustment you made. Please create a video showing us how to do it. This would be very helpful to anyone that owns one. Thanks!
Azimuth is a pretty common adjustment on most cassette players. There will be a screw near the play head that will be exposed when you hit the play button, and you adjust this with a screwdriver or other tool while playing a tape and listen as the sound gets brighter/duller. You're aiming for the brightest sound you can get, so listen for cymbals and hi-hats. On portable cassette players like the We Are Rewind or FiiO CP13, to adjust azimuth you need to play a cassette with the door open in order to do this, this means opening the door and putting the cassette in the "wrong" spot so that the tape ends up sitting where it would be if the door was closed, but with the door still open.
Thank you for the review! I did buy this and just received it. I didn't have high expectations just something decent. Yes I own a number of the vintage Sony's already but I like to try new things as well. The price was right for the venture.
@@anadialog It is a protector for the plexiglass window. There is a film in this protector to help you apply it to the window. It is a two step process like when applying a screen protector on a mobile phone.
Grazie infinite Guido, per questi video preziosi e per il tuo canale! Sei a conoscenza di qualche novità o upgrade interessante e significativo per le nuove cassette di tipo 2, ad oggi deludenti???
Planned to buy one next month as a fiio fan and I liked the compact design. However, I got some negative comments from other people which leads me to reconsider buying the CP13. Thanks for the information anyway. W10C is not very good after all.🙄
Well, I did do a video on the DD9 (ua-cam.com/video/Xr32QSNKFY0/v-deo.htmlsi=Ve2DOTSwbtwG0r3a), but also the DC2 and D6C, which I also have are top notch!
Wonder what the oldest Compact Cassette recording is? i.e. someone who bought a recorder in around 1963 and did their own recordings even if they were voice of family or some copies of Vinyl records ?
Hello Guido, there you are the analog expert as your yt channel is called, and i enjoy a lot of your content you post.There i now have a question about vinyl playback. I have an vintage Philips 777 turntable which is a fantastic device in my opinion. But my dac and amplifier are from the new generation, a combi of NAD c658 and c 298. What i find when i am enjoying an evening listening to my vinyl records is a good and detailed sound with enough mids and highs, and the soundstage is also excellent. But i always experience a lack of deepness and bass, whichever quality record i listen to. Can an update to a modern turntable in a reasonable pricerange solve this problem, or is my vintage turntable from the golden age of vinyl good enough. So there you are the analog specialist, do you have any suggestions or tips for my situation? Thank you again for all your great movies, and i personaly looking forward to your next needledrop movie👍🏻
My YT channel is not called analog expert! I am analog passionate! The turntable is the last thing to change IMO, I would start from a good phono preamp and good cart. That will already help a lot!
You can but remember that a headphone output is a very strong signal, much more than line so pay attention. Distortion is around the corner and may create problems with low quality gear.
Hello and Ciao, Is a Super important Video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 From FIIO, I couldn't have imagined that they would bring an analog music playback device onto the market. Maybe Sony will come up with the same idea and build the Walkman with a cassette.
As explained I used a normal 3.5mm stereo jack inserted in the headphone output (not good but it’s the only output) and connected it directly to the camera.
I couldn't figure which video to watch first yours or WVestlifes on these. I chose yours. There both great channels. I still would rather prefer a vintage Walkman but these are great starters.
In my opinion, at this point, i don't mind any new modern analog cassette player as long as it provided with decent quality stereo output whether with cheapest hardware or cheaper than cheapest. I already bought we are rewind player and it was average.
When talking about whether to buy something like the Fiio vs buying an 80s or 90s Walkman, it's important to remember that your mileage may vary enormously with buying vintage devices. For every five supposedly "working" vintage walkman I've bought, i might get one that lasts beyond the first six months and it's not always a case of replacing belts. This should be factored into any decision on price. At least with the new devices, you're going to get a minimum one-year warranty. On that topic, there are people claiming the Fiio is too expensive. I bought mine for £99 in the UK, which, looking at an inflation calculator, is equivalent of about £40 in the late 1980s, which seems perfectly fair for a device of this build quality. (The walkman-type devices you could get for, say, £20 back then would have been plastic, with even cheaper mechanisms than the maligned Tanashin one, and I bet very few have survived.) I think it's encouraging to see the Fiio and We Are Rewind devices. We may not get anything better in the future but at least there are two decent new personal cassette players to choose from for anyone who doesn't want the hassle of maintaining a vintage device.
If you think on using them without any service, you are perfectly right but there is no point in doing that also for you stated besides the most important part, sound. You must do an overhaul, meaning replace belts and capacitors. Not too expensive just hard to find people who still do that. At that point you’re good for another 10/20 years!
hi i'm looking for a portable cassette player without bluetooth but has bass boost and a decent size window so you can see the cassette inside could you recommend anything thank you.
I really like my Fiio digital audio players, but I can't make myself want one of these huge things with low-end playback. Having lived the '90s, it's really hard to see these big honking things coming out lately that look like drug store budget models of yesteryear, and sound even worse. I know it's impractical, but I keep hoping somebody is going to really put some hardware design into a new unit and also develop their own playback mechanism so we can get some quality sound out of our tapes again. I would pay a lot for that.
I'm new to your channel, sir. I'd like to ask a question slightly off topic. Is any manufacturer making a cassette deck for American users? If so. I'd be curious as to price points. TIA.
There is but the specs and ultimately the sound is pretty bad. I made a video on this topic: ua-cam.com/video/NjLUDQpLcTc/v-deo.htmlsi=rDz9WRGVHKJ1ZtlG In any case it’s always better to look for a serviced vintage deck. You have a piece of history in your hands and a killer sound.
The tape almost ate itself during the movement you put it though, but it was stable enough. If they put an EQ or even a preset EQ it might make it better.
Very exiting that there are new cassette players, i like the colour. But i think there is still a lot of work to be done just to be able to compete with a WM-DD33 or WM-10. Moreover i dont like the "fixed" battery. Why not rechargeable NiMh AAs just like a lot of portable CDs in the late 90s??
@@turokforever007 True but to be fair both Teac/Tascam and Sony source the best currently available mechanism from CSG. The W1200 performs fine for playback, as does the Sony CD-S70, not able to compete with older high quality decks from the 80s,90 and early 2000s but comparable to budget or even some lower mid range decks from that time period. The W&F from these mechanisms is perfectly acceptable but the lack of proper noise reduction is one major issue. Both companies also do OK when it comes to recording on unused ferric cassettes because they use AC bias recording whereas others use DC bias which introduces unacceptable noise. Having said that It may be CSG don't make a smaller version of their mechanism for these portables so Fio had to go with the same crappy mechanism all the others that make portables also have to use.
a sony from the late 80's or early 90's. The mechanisms manufactured today are junk. Every cassette deck has one of 3 mechs made by the same company and they are all junk.
metal tape ? these cruddy players can't handle anything like that. see the other comment by jesse which is accurate. You don't even have to go Sony there are many manufacturer from the past that made players capable not just sony. Sanyo is an amazing choice or Awai ..ect.
it's a shame that with Fiio's resources, they couldn't do the R&D for a better Mech. I'm so sick of the Tanashin mech. It isn't that it sounds bad, it's just stupidly unreliable and prone to breaking because of it's flimsy construction.
Why have we gone backwards with size and design? I once had a JVC that, when empty, was actually thinner than a cassette on one side! Now, 30 years later, they're big like a garden shed. It's curious.
@@anadialog that's great, because, following #techmoan, he has stated in numerous occasions that there are no modern manufacturers of proper stereo cassette heads. Chinese are the current ones making them, and I think just one or two.
That's why you have an equaliser in your hi-fi system, you boost the bass and treble as desired during recording of your personal mix tape so that you have the bass and treble response on whatever you listen your tape on!
I'm using this fiio cp-13 less than 1 month and already have issue with play autostop - it has stopped working at all. It start curling tapes. So, tape transport mechanism is really poor.
A few weeks ago some people called bullshit on me for calling out on the shitty mechanism on What Hi-Fi? Facebook page. I know one when I see one. Now it's evident in this video.
I wish Sony or Aiwa would bring back their amazing personal cassette players from the 90s, I'm sure with the resurgence in interest for audio tape they would sell millions of units. The new stuff is soo basic with no auto reverse, dolby noise reduction or even an eject button. Come on Sony/ Aiwa/ Panasonic you are all missing out here!!!
Unfortunately as I always say, we are missing the entire chain and it is an extremely difficult and complex chain so no Walkmans until a ton of people buy cassettes again, which only medium quality versions are currently produced. Turntables are easy, cassettes mechanics aren’t!
Good to Know their is a new Portable cassette player, I remember back in the day I'd tweek the screw by head to adjust azimouth , I also had a car cassette player in my bedroom in the early 90's that sounded quite good through my 70's Sony Amplifier, and a little azimouth adjustment was required for pre-recorded tapes in particular was happy with sound. its a pitty this new device did not invset just a bit more on the mechanics like sony did, but guess cost is high now and demand lower, to coin a phrase , tape is for the average person not the latest meal of today ! like CD, s DVD,s are old school but nice to own your one tapes & hardware to play them on.
Actually almost all new portable players have auto reverse but it was a wise choice NOT to put it because the tape head azimuth goes to hell that way. Noise reduction is out of the game because Dolby does not license it anymore and dbx doesn’t do it anymore.
Ich verstehe die schlechten Kommentare nicht wirklich zu den Geräten von WAR und FIIO. Fakt ist das Sony und co. die besseren Geräte Hergestellt haben, diese sind aber zum teil 45 Jahre alt und waren gemessen am verdienst damals immer noch teuer. Klar wir können die alten Geräte kaufen, die Chance einen guten zu bekommen ist bei weitem nicht so einfach. Defekte Kondensatoren, Riemen, Ausgelaufene Batterien, Sprödes Plastik, kaputte Zahnräder, Brüchige Kabel, all das sind in alten Walkmans zufinden (und das sind nur meine Erfahrungen). Ganz ehrlich die meisten legen sich den WAR oder Fiio einfach neben sich hin. Keiner fängt mit dem Teil an zu Joggen, das kann ein Handy oder Garminuhr besser. Ich hab den WAR und er ist völlig in Ordnung, der klingt gut, die Aufnahme ist zwar nicht der hit aber ist mit einem Ferro 60 Minuten Band erträglich. Sinnvoller ist es mit einem Tapedeck sowas zu machen wie früher. Was das laufwerk betrifft.... welche alternativen gibts aktuell? Eine kleine Anmerkung zu Dolby, ich habs bei meinen Tapedecks nie benutzt weils die aufnahmen verfälscht hat, mit oder ohne ich hab da keinen riesen unterschied gehört.
It's maybe a step nearer, but that thing is so underwhelming in it's design. That's the problem really, because Sony (for instance) had top designers for their Walkman's, and if we just consider the early WM models, they were gorgeous, and have not been surpassed since. But, that's not to say some clever young designer will come up with an ultra sleek model using quality parts.
How disappointing , I was really looking forward to a positive review of the Fiio Cp13 can't understand why this company would make something that seems not as good as the We are Rewind product, embarrassing if you ask me.
I know my comment won’t be popular but I have a device that is portable/has no wow and flutter/good quality sound and battery life/virtually endless choice of music/no moving parts to wear or degrade the sound. It’s called a mobile phone! (humour). I can see hackles rising. Tape players were the thing of my past and some portables were as cheap as chips. Often needing a little tweak of the playback head to get the best treble. Do they still use Dolby to reduce the hiss? Eventually the heads would wear down or the gizmo went into tape chewing phase destroying your prize recordings. So I’m afraid I won’t be going back there even though I love boys toys. I always respect each to their own as no doubt people think I’m a vinyl dinosaur-but I love it . In my ignorance is there much new recorded music out there on tape or is it for playing your own recordings/vintage tapes? For those who love it-enjoy. 👍 I do appreciate the channel is mainly about analogue devices and so understand the interest in such devices.
Those late 80s Sonys with the little green button all have gears that are prone to breakage and seem to have w&f problems no matter how much u refurbish them. Will avoid if anyone is looking for a more fuss free old Walkman.
Both Fiio and WAR (We Are Rewind) are using same cheap'n'crappy chinese tape drive mechanism. It's an awful drive, with enourmous Wow & Flutter, crappy tape head and shitty brush motor. Better to get an old SONY or Panasonic portable cassette player, invest some money into it's refurbishing (replacing a belt and pinch rollers, disassembling, cleaning and regreasing) and you will get a player, which WILL outplay these modern kid toys with ease.
![ANA[DIA]LOG](http://yt3.ggpht.com/K0qr1ndqDdGUyxbMUYesdA0KM3wZ-_upZ4bvQR8Vi_Ie1773eXoIXY2VblfzWYRJnwxd5pVrbXw=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
You talked about wow & flutter, but you had the NAK T-100 software set to display the audio level, not the wow & flutter, and you didn't turn off its built-in test tone oscillator.
I was actually flicking through the video looking for the W&F test given he is meant to have a calibrated 3kHz tape + appropriate software! what a disappointing review.
I captured the 3kHz audio from this video and measured its W&F, which is about ~0.18% WRMS @speed: +0.6%
@@wch346that is not too terrible all considered. Still sounds a bit warbly, though! A frequency response plot would have been nice too (no way to do that)
@@davealancaruana6727 TBH, the w&f is better than most of my vintage portable players today. I’m also curious about the FR plots.
Please do a review, we need a true pro on this
Sony should just re-realease the Walkman II and call it a day. That thing was gorgeous.
I hope that if we continue to insist on this the will, sooner or later!
@@anadialog 100%!!! I LOVED cassettes. Also loved my mini discs, mp3 players, it goes on. But a new really good tape player would be awesome! Nothing cooler than making a mixed tape.
they can't. the factories are gone, tools are gone, parts suppliers gone. and reinventing the wheel is too expensive now.
@@rikimiki12 Not necessarily, just because they don’t have the original factories or parts available on hand doesn’t mean they can’t remanufacture them again. It just means they won’t mass produce them like back in the day. Probably be one of those limited quantities releases like Audio Techica did with their rerelease of the Sound Burger portable turntable which came with some modern perks in it like Bluetooth connection. The biggest issue I would have with Sony though would be pricing of such re release, knowing how they have been lately it be some ridiculous price of over $1000
@@anadialog $ONY shall not redo what she used to do. If you were a big shareholder of that PLC entity . You would be able to say what you prefer, Remember, you better express in Japanese first during these formal meeting.
I believe the small plastic part included in your box is a screen protector for the front window to keep it pretty. it appears to be the screen protectors that you can find online but cut to fit the viewing window.
Great video, man. Loved being able to listen to each one audio output, I was looking for that
I have the "We are rewind" & have had it for about a year. It cost me an arm & leg to friggin' get it here! That said, I'm glad I have it. After an azimuth adjustment, it works fine. The loudness & quality of the sound depends on the tape being played. But all & all, EXPENSIVE but fine. I'm happy with it.
What exactly do you mean by "azimuth adjustment"? I already received a third replacement and all of them sound like absolute garbage (especially treble) due to the azimuth. I find out that is gets better when I pull the door slightly, but it feels absolutely ridiculous to do things like this with such an expensive device.
Matthieu from the company wrote me that they have never heard about this before from other customers, are they deaf? Because three units with the same fault in a row, that cannot be a mistake. Overall, a huge disappointment.
So anything that would improve this would be greatly appreciated.
Yes please explain the azimuth adjustment you made. Please create a video showing us how to do it. This would be very helpful to anyone that owns one. Thanks!
Azimuth is a pretty common adjustment on most cassette players. There will be a screw near the play head that will be exposed when you hit the play button, and you adjust this with a screwdriver or other tool while playing a tape and listen as the sound gets brighter/duller. You're aiming for the brightest sound you can get, so listen for cymbals and hi-hats. On portable cassette players like the We Are Rewind or FiiO CP13, to adjust azimuth you need to play a cassette with the door open in order to do this, this means opening the door and putting the cassette in the "wrong" spot so that the tape ends up sitting where it would be if the door was closed, but with the door still open.
@@WillWill56 thanks for this! Much appreciated :)
Pop open the door, and you can see where to do that adjustment. There is a cutout in the plastic
I was looking forward to you doing a review on this product Thank-you
Thank you for the review! I did buy this and just received it. I didn't have high expectations just something decent. Yes I own a number of the vintage Sony's already but I like to try new things as well. The price was right for the venture.
Still use my old cassette decks so I can make mix tapes.
Me too, all the time, I listen at work on my Walkman.. screw streaming fees
Honestly waiting for the old casette player days
Think you could be waiting forever, sadly
Nice, thorough, and honest analysis. Thank you!
4:00 is that film is front glass protector? Like screen protector for phones?
It could be (that is what I also thought) but it says use it to remove the film...strange
@@anadialog It is a protector for the plexiglass window. There is a film in this protector to help you apply it to the window. It is a two step process like when applying a screen protector on a mobile phone.
I got mine translucent and it’s beautiful I love it and it sounds incredible.
Incredibile? Have you tried true Sony Walkman or other brands of the golden age?
@@anadialogwhich one do you recommend that won't break the bank?
I also got the pre-order with the case, i'm pleased with it, if they ever do a follow up i'd include Anti rolling.
Grazie infinite Guido, per questi video preziosi e per il tuo canale! Sei a conoscenza di qualche novità o upgrade interessante e significativo per le nuove cassette di tipo 2, ad oggi deludenti???
Grazie a te! Macché, nulla!
thanks for the review ... but, for me its just not up to scratch with the earlier walkmans
You’re not alone! ;-)
It would have been a good idea if they added a belt clip to make it truly portable. Even if it was just on the case.
Planned to buy one next month as a fiio fan and I liked the compact design. However, I got some negative comments from other people which leads me to reconsider buying the CP13. Thanks for the information anyway. W10C is not very good after all.🙄
thx for the review !!! what are the best walkmans ever for you ?
I've not heard it but I expect he will say Sony DD9, the tech is next level compared to others and so are the prices for vintage units!
Well, I did do a video on the DD9 (ua-cam.com/video/Xr32QSNKFY0/v-deo.htmlsi=Ve2DOTSwbtwG0r3a), but also the DC2 and D6C, which I also have are top notch!
That volume knob sticks out like a soar thumb, They could have opted for one similar to "We Are Rwind" for more compactness.
I'd rather they have an electronic control for the volume consisting of two buttons.
a bass boost button would have been nice does it sound tinny. after watching your video the we are rewind does sound much better
Wonder what the oldest Compact Cassette recording is? i.e. someone who bought a recorder in around 1963 and did their own recordings even if they were voice of family or some copies of Vinyl records ?
Big thank you.
Hello Guido, there you are the analog expert as your yt channel is called, and i enjoy a lot of your content you post.There i now have a question about vinyl playback. I have an vintage Philips 777 turntable which is a fantastic device in my opinion. But my dac and amplifier are from the new generation, a combi of NAD c658 and c 298. What i find when i am enjoying an evening listening to my vinyl records is a good and detailed sound with enough mids and highs, and the soundstage is also excellent. But i always experience a lack of deepness and bass, whichever quality record i listen to. Can an update to a modern turntable in a reasonable pricerange solve this problem, or is my vintage turntable from the golden age of vinyl good enough.
So there you are the analog specialist, do you have any suggestions or tips for my situation?
Thank you again for all your great movies, and i personaly looking forward to your next needledrop movie👍🏻
My YT channel is not called analog expert! I am analog passionate! The turntable is the last thing to change IMO, I would start from a good phono preamp and good cart. That will already help a lot!
@@anadialogoffcourse i know your channel is not named that, but it presumes your an expert, and your answer proves that. Thank you Guido 👍🏻
Will it be possible to connect the output jack into an external speaker ?
You can but remember that a headphone output is a very strong signal, much more than line so pay attention. Distortion is around the corner and may create problems with low quality gear.
Hello and Ciao, Is a Super important Video.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
From FIIO, I couldn't have imagined that they would bring an analog music playback device onto the market.
Maybe Sony will come up with the same idea and build the Walkman with a cassette.
May I ask you what that white cable is that you connected when playing back and how am I able to hear stereo music?
As explained I used a normal 3.5mm stereo jack inserted in the headphone output (not good but it’s the only output) and connected it directly to the camera.
I couldn't figure which video to watch first yours or WVestlifes on these. I chose yours. There both great channels. I still would rather prefer a vintage Walkman but these are great starters.
id love to see you review the retrospekt cp-81
It’s always the same stuff unfortunately… :-/
In another video it was found that after a certain time the tape speed increases from +1% to +3%. Were you able to notice that too? Thanks!
No, but it does surprise me. The mechanism is very poor, no quality control. If that comes up in the future I will pin it in a new comment.
Oh wow. I just felt a recording option also should have been there
In my opinion, at this point, i don't mind any new modern analog cassette player as long as it provided with decent quality stereo output whether with cheapest hardware or cheaper than cheapest. I already bought we are rewind player and it was average.
When talking about whether to buy something like the Fiio vs buying an 80s or 90s Walkman, it's important to remember that your mileage may vary enormously with buying vintage devices. For every five supposedly "working" vintage walkman I've bought, i might get one that lasts beyond the first six months and it's not always a case of replacing belts. This should be factored into any decision on price. At least with the new devices, you're going to get a minimum one-year warranty.
On that topic, there are people claiming the Fiio is too expensive. I bought mine for £99 in the UK, which, looking at an inflation calculator, is equivalent of about £40 in the late 1980s, which seems perfectly fair for a device of this build quality. (The walkman-type devices you could get for, say, £20 back then would have been plastic, with even cheaper mechanisms than the maligned Tanashin one, and I bet very few have survived.)
I think it's encouraging to see the Fiio and We Are Rewind devices. We may not get anything better in the future but at least there are two decent new personal cassette players to choose from for anyone who doesn't want the hassle of maintaining a vintage device.
If you think on using them without any service, you are perfectly right but there is no point in doing that also for you stated besides the most important part, sound. You must do an overhaul, meaning replace belts and capacitors. Not too expensive just hard to find people who still do that. At that point you’re good for another 10/20 years!
That transparent plastic is "screen protector" for the front window, perhaps?
It would be not bad to compare the sound with a cheap DAP to see where we are going, even if we can bet the answer.
Anyway, very good presentation.
I believe the plastic clear piece is a protector for the window.
hi i'm looking for a portable cassette player without bluetooth but has bass boost and a decent size window so you can see the cassette inside could you recommend anything thank you.
I could recommend you Panasonic from the RQ-SX Series they perform better then Sony's and are cheaper also.
On the newer side I can't recommend anything...the best is to hunt for ANY serviced Sony walkman and it will win hands down over any of these...
I really like my Fiio digital audio players, but I can't make myself want one of these huge things with low-end playback. Having lived the '90s, it's really hard to see these big honking things coming out lately that look like drug store budget models of yesteryear, and sound even worse. I know it's impractical, but I keep hoping somebody is going to really put some hardware design into a new unit and also develop their own playback mechanism so we can get some quality sound out of our tapes again. I would pay a lot for that.
I'm new to your channel, sir. I'd like to ask a question slightly off topic. Is any manufacturer making a cassette deck for American users? If so. I'd be curious as to price points. TIA.
There is but the specs and ultimately the sound is pretty bad. I made a video on this topic: ua-cam.com/video/NjLUDQpLcTc/v-deo.htmlsi=rDz9WRGVHKJ1ZtlG
In any case it’s always better to look for a serviced vintage deck. You have a piece of history in your hands and a killer sound.
The tape almost ate itself during the movement you put it though, but it was stable enough. If they put an EQ or even a preset EQ it might make it better.
Indeed!
Very exiting that there are new cassette players, i like the colour. But i think there is still a lot of work to be done just to be able to compete with a WM-DD33 or WM-10.
Moreover i dont like the "fixed" battery. Why not rechargeable NiMh AAs just like a lot of portable CDs in the late 90s??
What about the playback with chrome and ferro tapes?
The frequency range of the head and the lack of the proper equalization make them. It playable. You can, but they will be distorted.
@@anadialog Thank you very much for your feedback.
how long should should this last you think? easy to repair if needed?
Don’t know, more than others. No, it’s not exactly service friendly but a good technician knows how to open it.
I think they should do a campaign backing production run of a new quality cassette deck. Or have teac improve the w-1200. The market is there.
Only one cassette mechanism is made now. So someone would have to find an older good one then remake it
@@turokforever007 True but to be fair both Teac/Tascam and Sony source the best currently available mechanism from CSG. The W1200 performs fine for playback, as does the Sony CD-S70, not able to compete with older high quality decks from the 80s,90 and early 2000s but comparable to budget or even some lower mid range decks from that time period. The W&F from these mechanisms is perfectly acceptable but the lack of proper noise reduction is one major issue. Both companies also do OK when it comes to recording on unused ferric cassettes because they use AC bias recording whereas others use DC bias which introduces unacceptable noise. Having said that It may be CSG don't make a smaller version of their mechanism for these portables so Fio had to go with the same crappy mechanism all the others that make portables also have to use.
What would be best for metal? Cp13 or we are rewind?
a sony from the late 80's or early 90's. The mechanisms manufactured today are junk. Every cassette deck has one of 3 mechs made by the same company and they are all junk.
metal tape ? these cruddy players can't handle anything like that. see the other comment by jesse which is accurate. You don't even have to go Sony there are many manufacturer from the past that made players capable not just sony. Sanyo is an amazing choice or Awai ..ect.
Neither. Not even Type II. They say they are compatible but they don't have the EQ setting nor the heads capable of delivering high frequencies.
For the price of these new, you can get a reconditioned and serviced 90's personal stereo.
我也买了，感觉非常棒！
這些只屬於僅僅合格。儘管ＣＰ１３不騙人，認真的人一般不會用這款。
To me, the cymbals and higher frequencies sounded better on the We are Rewind
If i can get a sturdy sports model id be on it.
Maybe is the added Bluetooth with the addition to any of these it would be 20% better
Thanks brother
What's an unbarksing?
They should have put belt clips on.
I was looking for you to review this Fiio Walkman. It's a shame it is the same trash mechanism. I'll stick to my old walkmans!
I’ve seen this in other places, didn’t realise it was a play only machine. For that reason it makes it a “non purchase”
That is actually a bonus! ;-) I strongly recommend not to use these low quality devices for recording.
magnets? On a cassette player case?! Won't that damage the cassette tape?
It's disappointing that this is an idential internals as We Are Rewind player. I was also hoping Fiio would stick a better amp solution for theirs. :(
cant get descent Walkman this days
I want DAT recorders. Bring them back and its an instabuy for me.
Gracias
it's a shame that with Fiio's resources, they couldn't do the R&D for a better Mech. I'm so sick of the Tanashin mech. It isn't that it sounds bad, it's just stupidly unreliable and prone to breaking because of it's flimsy construction.
Indeed! Tanashin does not exist anymore...only this Chinese stuff...
Me think that too
Why have we gone backwards with size and design? I once had a JVC that, when empty, was actually thinner than a cassette on one side! Now, 30 years later, they're big like a garden shed. It's curious.
Wow and flutter is literally the magic dust unique character of tape LOL
No, that is distortion. I made a video on the topic: ua-cam.com/video/aTYc7vZuM-c/v-deo.htmlsi=2ks6lSLDjh_I_KBp
@@anadialog I think you mean saturation with a little harmonic distortion
I am wondering if any manufacturer will come up with a new analog TV set next.
Is it available
it is on aliexpress (I bought one!), a wider distribution is expected in March
Are the heads actually stereo? No one that I know is actually making those stereo heads. It's software at this time.
Yes, they are stereo heads on both (two lines instead of one)
@@anadialog that's great, because, following #techmoan, he has stated in numerous occasions that there are no modern manufacturers of proper stereo cassette heads. Chinese are the current ones making them, and I think just one or two.
That's why you have an equaliser in your hi-fi system, you boost the bass and treble as desired during recording of your personal mix tape so that you have the bass and treble response on whatever you listen your tape on!
That's all very well, but what if you have Pre-recorded tapes?
I'm using this fiio cp-13 less than 1 month and already have issue with play autostop - it has stopped working at all. It start curling tapes. So, tape transport mechanism is really poor.
Oh no! Thanks for sharing…
the only problem with the case it has magnets and you shouldn't have magnets near tape
Sounded fine to me…. But why no belt clip? I use my Walkman at work, needs a clip
The we are rewind sounded much better, as long as you didn't move it . . .
Exactly! 😆
They need to make this adaptable for car use with USB connector.
How much ???
He said $120.00 or €120.
I will buy the CP14 or WAR with improved flywheel
You can't convince me Sony won't step in this game at some point, it will happen, and probably very soon.
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
A few weeks ago some people called bullshit on me for calling out on the shitty mechanism on What Hi-Fi? Facebook page. I know one when I see one. Now it's evident in this video.
My "we are rewind" went to trash. He had a parasite noise each ~60 seconds
I wish Sony or Aiwa would bring back their amazing personal cassette players from the 90s, I'm sure with the resurgence in interest for audio tape they would sell millions of units.
The new stuff is soo basic with no auto reverse, dolby noise reduction or even an eject button.
Come on Sony/ Aiwa/ Panasonic you are all missing out here!!!
Unfortunately as I always say, we are missing the entire chain and it is an extremely difficult and complex chain so no Walkmans until a ton of people buy cassettes again, which only medium quality versions are currently produced. Turntables are easy, cassettes mechanics aren’t!
a belt clip would be nice
No one is actually going to use that.
Good to Know their is a new Portable cassette player, I remember back in the day I'd tweek the screw by head to adjust azimouth , I also had a car cassette player in my bedroom in the early 90's that sounded quite good through my 70's Sony Amplifier, and a little azimouth adjustment was required for pre-recorded tapes in particular was happy with sound. its a pitty this new device did not invset just a bit more on the mechanics like sony did, but guess cost is high now and demand lower, to coin a phrase , tape is for the average person not the latest meal of today ! like CD, s DVD,s are old school but nice to own your one tapes & hardware to play them on.
Why do none of these new cassette players have autoreverse or noise reduction?
Actually almost all new portable players have auto reverse but it was a wise choice NOT to put it because the tape head azimuth goes to hell that way. Noise reduction is out of the game because Dolby does not license it anymore and dbx doesn’t do it anymore.
Right. But for new device just from 2024 until now
Probably a very nice player but I'd prefer to have it powered by AA batteries.
Greetings from Hamburg ❤️❤️❤️👍
Такое ощущение, что технологии откатились на 50-60 лет назад. В сравнении с этим недоразумением у Sony в 80-90 годы были космические технологии!
WM-150💪👍💪❤️
I hope that cassette players get the Polaroid treatment in the future
Ich verstehe die schlechten Kommentare nicht wirklich zu den Geräten von WAR und FIIO.
Fakt ist das Sony und co. die besseren Geräte Hergestellt haben, diese sind aber zum teil 45 Jahre alt und waren gemessen am verdienst damals immer noch teuer. Klar wir können die alten Geräte kaufen, die Chance einen guten zu bekommen ist bei weitem nicht so einfach.
Defekte Kondensatoren, Riemen, Ausgelaufene Batterien, Sprödes Plastik, kaputte Zahnräder, Brüchige Kabel, all das sind in alten Walkmans zufinden (und das sind nur meine Erfahrungen). Ganz ehrlich die meisten legen sich den WAR oder Fiio einfach neben sich hin. Keiner fängt mit dem Teil an zu Joggen, das kann ein Handy oder Garminuhr besser. Ich hab den WAR und er ist völlig in Ordnung, der klingt gut, die Aufnahme ist zwar nicht der hit aber ist mit einem Ferro 60 Minuten Band erträglich. Sinnvoller ist es mit einem Tapedeck sowas zu machen wie früher. Was das laufwerk betrifft.... welche alternativen gibts aktuell?
Eine kleine Anmerkung zu Dolby, ich habs bei meinen Tapedecks nie benutzt weils die aufnahmen verfälscht hat, mit oder ohne ich hab da keinen riesen unterschied gehört.
It's maybe a step nearer, but that thing is so underwhelming in it's design.
That's the problem really, because Sony (for instance) had top designers for their Walkman's, and if we just consider the early WM models, they were gorgeous, and have not been surpassed since.
But, that's not to say some clever young designer will come up with an ultra sleek model using quality parts.
Tape sounds better than Tidal 👍
Available in market ??
On Aliexpress there are some units...in March there are going to be more in other places (they claim)
magnetized case.. magnets so close to tape !!!??? wtf !!!
It will have no effect. You'd need a very strong magnet placed very close to a cassette in order to damage it.
I HOPE SONY STARTS MAKING THEM AGAIN THAT'LL BE AWESOME, THEN I'LL GET 1.
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
How disappointing , I was really looking forward to a positive review of the Fiio Cp13 can't understand why this company would make something that seems not as good as the We are Rewind product, embarrassing if you ask me.
I know my comment won’t be popular but I have a device that is portable/has no wow and flutter/good quality sound and battery life/virtually endless choice of music/no moving parts to wear or degrade the sound.
It’s called a mobile phone! (humour). I can see hackles rising. Tape players were the thing of my past and some portables were as cheap as chips. Often needing a little tweak of the playback head to get the best treble. Do they still use Dolby to reduce the hiss? Eventually the heads would wear down or the gizmo went into tape chewing phase destroying your prize recordings. So I’m afraid I won’t be going back there even though I love boys toys. I always respect each to their own as no doubt people think I’m a vinyl dinosaur-but I love it . In my ignorance is there much new recorded music out there on tape or is it for playing your own recordings/vintage tapes? For those who love it-enjoy. 👍
I do appreciate the channel is mainly about analogue devices and so understand the interest in such devices.
a lot of smaller bands that cant afford vinyl pressing do cassettes still because they’re cheap and a decent medium for physical merch
Wish Sony rerelease cassette walkman just like you owned
Those late 80s Sonys with the little green button all have gears that are prone to breakage and seem to have w&f problems no matter how much u refurbish them. Will avoid if anyone is looking for a more fuss free old Walkman.
They could have done so much better than an off the shelf cheap mechanism.
No one is mass producing the mechanism, and if someone started making one the price would be very high. Too bad. :(
lo sticker credo sia semplicemente un protezione per lo schermo... come gli screen shield dei nostri smartphone.
No, c’è chiaramente scritto di usare l’adesivo per rimuovere la plastica dal vetrino.
Both Fiio and WAR (We Are Rewind) are using same cheap'n'crappy chinese tape drive mechanism. It's an awful drive, with enourmous Wow & Flutter, crappy tape head and shitty brush motor.
Better to get an old SONY or Panasonic portable cassette player, invest some money into it's refurbishing (replacing a belt and pinch rollers, disassembling, cleaning and regreasing) and you will get a player, which WILL outplay these modern kid toys with ease.