This thread is intented to be complementary to the "List of common problems on walkmans/portable recorders", in order to have discussions and suggestions about the topic. For one, I think other threads containing lists of common problems on boomboxes, decks and Discmans are also a very good idea. Another aspect I want to bring into discussion is the possibility of a dedicated turorials section, as I and others have a lot of good information that otherwise goes down into oblivion as the respective threads are no longer on page 1. This happens quickly in the TechTalk section, as there are a lot of new members asking for repair advice. Pinning is a solution, but given the limited space, there are only so many threads that can be pinned, that's why to me a dedicated section would be a better idea. @Mister X What's your opinion on that ?
I would be in favour of having a dedicated tutorials section, all relevant information in one place. Preferably also something that can be easily printed to PDF. Chapters can be derived from currently pinned threads, and most visited / viewed / commented threads. Perhaps organised by Walkman (either family, model, model range, whatever), or by mechanism shared, etc. Also mapping different model / type numbers would be beneficial: why on earth is the WM-EX511 the same as the WM-EX618? Or the B603 to the WM-EX49C, and so on. Some existing threads are very long, and the conclusion or best practices are not always in post 1 or page 1 of it. The occasional side-discussions in threads are not always required to get to the bottom of the problem or a solution.
I would start with the most commonly repaired ones, like the D6C. For example, the problem with motor running fast is something that has been discussed in many threads but new members still create new threads in the TechTalk section to ask for advice. This happens with a lot of common problems that have already been discussed, but the threads are buried down in the 6th or 10th page. Not all of these appear in Google search results. And the issue is although some are pinned, the walkmans that have common problems are many more than the number of threads that can possibly be pinned, that's why creating a separate section seems a better solution to me. In regard to the WM-EX511/EX618, a possibility that I see is there were different model numbers for different markets. Don't know if that is the reason, so if anyone has more knowledge, please post.
I have found a very nice summary of Sony Walkmans released between ‘79 and ‘96. Can’t tell if it is complete or not, but it could be used as an index. Is there a possibility to create some kind of wiki complementary to the forum and threads? The most useful and complete responses could be copied integrally, while links to the entire thread would provide additional context?
I have done at least three fully illustrated re-belting tutorials. Sine the same mechanisms were used in many different Walkmans they probably cover twenty or more different machines. What would be useful would be a pinned index linking to these and other peoples tutorials. In the meantime my advice to anyone looking for that type of information would be to use Google rather than an internal search to find it.
If started to go through service manuals to determine which models are affected because of the clutch. The WM-EX3 service manual I cannot find. I would appreciate a link, thanks!
They could be very similar, but since there is no cross reference or link to derive from one of the service manuals or closeup PCB or mechanism shots, hard to say. Example: DD-100 provides the mechanism for the DDIII, however the DOL to MegaBass step skips the DDIII and ends up first in the DD30. This does not seem logical at first, but is the conclusion after go through the service manuals. Edit: I have the FX5 and EX5 service manuals. Later this month I will share an overview of a quite a few Walkmans.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think I saw EX3 motherboard that had EX5 written to it (so the full name on the board was EX3, EX5).
@Raul That is true from what I remember, but there are some configurarion resistors that change something in the microcontroller behavior between the 2 models. Will take a picture on my EX5 later on. I don't have an EX3 to compare.
This is the PCB of the WM-EX5. There is a resistor (measures 360 ohms in circuit) soldered on the EX5 silkscreen marking. There is another non-populated footprint for another resistor, marked EX3. At first glance can't find these resistors on the schematic, but my assumption is they're for microcontroller configuration.
Do you know what the exact difference between the EX3 and EX5 is ? I looked at a few pictures but the difference wasn't obvious. As products progressed using the same hardware in several products has become more and more common. With the Keysight oscilloscopes we have at work the difference between the £4000 100MHz model and the £10000 500MHz model is literally a product key.
Don't know what the differences are between EX3 and EX5, if any. It might have something to do with EQ presets, in the sense that EX5 has more of them, but this needs to be confirmed. What you say about Keysight is very common in the test&measurement equipment field and many comapnies do that. These scopes are generally well optimized and there's no need to reduce BOM cost furher, so it becomes more convenient to put a software lock. Those which use 2 ADCs may have one unpopulated for 2 channel versions and fit both only on 4 channel versions. Sometimes, the bandwidth limitations are in the ADC driver, which can be programmed digitally via SPI for 100Mhz, 200Mhz or 500Mhz bandwidth. Many chinese brands like Siglent or Hantek have hacks in this regard than can enable the highest bandwidth on the ones that are sold without it. Keysight uses custom ASICs, so hacks like these will not work.
Some hints can be found here: https://walkmancentral.com/products/wm-ex5 Last paragaph: So they WM-EX5 and WM-EX1(HG) are fraternal twins? And the WM-EX3 is just a minor modification of the WM-EX5? @Raul posted a picture of the PCB (partial visible), but it is clearly different: http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-wm-ex1hg.6249/#post-57103 For one the IC present on top side of the board on EX5 is not on EX1.
The PCB looks very different on the EX1HG, which is the same as EX1 according to service manual. Also the EX1/EX1HG does use a different mechanism without the problematic magnetic clutch. EX1 seems to use yet another type of motor (4th type I have identified with pins on top, not on the left), that's why the IC is not present on the top. In the case of EX5, it uses a 6 coil motor, hence the need of that transistor array (Q604). EX1, as most EX models uses a motor with only 3 coils, which are driven by internal transistors in the servo IC.
I think similar for him has different meaning. I would say that EX3 is different enough from EX1 to not consider it close. I have EX3 and FX5 and they look very similar outside (except of radio part and different tape door) and inside.
