Four new Walkman-style cassette players - Are they any good?
VWestlife・10 minutes read
Sony Walkman and similar vintage portable music players often have broken rubber belts, requiring specific tools and skills for repair. New models like Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113 offer different features and prices, with the Mulann considered the best compromise between sound quality and cost.
Insights
- Vintage Walkmans often suffer from rubber belt breakage issues, necessitating costly repairs and potentially yielding minimal sound quality improvements.
- Modern alternatives like the Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113 offer affordable solutions with varying features, battery types, and performance levels, catering to different consumer preferences and budgets.
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Recent questions
What are common issues with vintage portable music players?
Vintage portable music players like the Sony Walkman often face problems with rubber belts breaking, affecting their functionality.
What are popular modern alternatives to vintage Walkmans?
Popular modern alternatives to vintage Walkmans include models like the Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113, offering improved features and sound quality.
Where can I purchase new models of portable music players?
New models of portable music players can be purchased from retailers like TurntableLab, AliExpress, and HiFiGo, with prices ranging from $29.99 to $159.95 depending on the model and retailer.
What are the power sources for modern portable music players?
Modern portable music players like the FiiO and We Are Rewind have internal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, while the Tomashi and Mulann use AA batteries for power.
Which modern portable music player is considered the best compromise in terms of sound quality and price?
Among the models tested, the Mulann B-1000 EW is considered the best compromise in terms of sound quality and price, offering a balance between performance and affordability.
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Summary
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Portable music players: vintage vs. modern options
- The Sony Walkman and similar portable music players from the '80s and '90s often face issues with rubber belts breaking.
- Repairing these belts requires specific tools and skills, but even after replacement, the sound quality may not improve significantly.
- Vintage Walkmans are expensive to restore, leading to the popularity of new models like the Mulann B-1000 EW, FiiO CP13, We Are Rewind, and Tomashi F-113.
- Prices for these models range from $29.99 to $159.95, with availability varying between retailers like TurntableLab, AliExpress, and HiFiGo.
- All models are battery-powered stereo cassette players with a headphone output, with the We Are Rewind also offering Bluetooth output.
- The FiiO and We Are Rewind have internal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, while the Tomashi and Mulann use AA batteries.
- Internally, all models share a similar cassette mechanism, with minor differences in housing and materials used.
- Testing reveals varying levels of wow and flutter, with the FiiO having the best performance but issues with speed accuracy over time.
- The Mulann B-1000 EW is considered the best compromise in terms of sound quality and price among the models tested.
