Onkyo Integra TA-9090 Heads worn out ...

[HWTest]

I have a very nice Onkyo Integra TA-RW9090 double Tape Deck, but the heads are worn out.
Deck 1:
http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/HeadA1.jpg
http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/HeadA2.jpg
Deck 2:
http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/HeadB1.jpg
http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/HeadB1.jpg

The problem is they are not available from Onkyo anymore.
The original Onkyo part number is 24611493.
The Tape Mechanism is ALPS, so I think, that the same mechanism is used in some other decks, from other manufacturers, where the head is maybe still available.

Maybe someone here has some tips, in which tape decks from which manufacturers the same tape mechanism is used. Alternative part number would be great also.
Here is a exploded view:
http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Tapemech.gif
The part I need is 3-5.

[Scorpion8]

Did you try PartStore.com? They list that Onkyo p/n here (http://www.partstore.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=24611493&hiddenInputToUpdateATBuffer_CommonToolkitScripts=1 ). A donor machine off eBay is another alternative.

[HWTest]

Did you try PartStore.com? They list that Onkyo p/n here (http://www.partstore.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=24611493&hiddenInputToUpdateATBuffer_CommonToolkitScripts=1 ). A donor machine off eBay is another alternative.

Thank you for your answer. The problem is they ship to US destinations only and I'm from Czech republic (Europe) :-(
At least I'll try to ask them if the part is really available.
I've ordered the part in October in a German web-shop (delivery in 8-12 weeks) and today they told me, the part is not available anymore *WTF*

A donor machine off eBay is the final option ...

[Scorpion8]

The problem is they ship to US destinations only and I'm from Czech republic (Europe)

Cultivate a few friendships here for awhile, and somebody will probably offer to act as a go-between, and have them shipped to you.

[Nakdoc]

Parts Store always shows that they can get the part, but they never get the part. Aiwa/Sony is the only remaining source.
Since the heads have no guides, you may get a bit more use out of them by relapping the heads.

[Scorpion8]

Parts Store always shows that they can get the part, but they never get the part. Aiwa/Sony is the only remaining source.
Since the heads have no guides, you may get a bit more use out of them by relapping the heads.

Not 100% true .... I actually got some tiny tiny washers for a Sony deck off Partstore.com that Sony said was no longer available. Where they came from *dunno* and it took awhile *yes* but they did get them.

[HWTest]

Parts Store always shows that they can get the part, but they never get the part. Aiwa/Sony is the only remaining source.
Since the heads have no guides, you may get a bit more use out of them by relapping the heads.

That is what I'm afraid of - that they are not able to get this part. I don't want to end, like with the German web-shop.
I wrote an email to them and hoping for an answer ...

Sadly there are guides, they are not visible on the pictures, so no lapping :-(

[HWTest]

A couple of better pictures of the heads and the whole mechanism.


http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Head01.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Head02.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Head03.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Mecha01.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Mecha02.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Mecha03.jpg

http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/Mecha04.jpg

[gamve]

Relap might be your only option. Would JFR Magnetics have a generic head(s) to fit? Not even sure if they do cassette player heads. Prolly worth investigating.

[HWTest]

Right now I'm emailing with Partstore, they don't have it in stock and will go on a backorder. So I'm trying to confirm, that the heads are really available with their supplier ...
I was thinking about relapping but I have zero experience with it :-(
I don't know ho to do it properly and I don't know anyone who knows.
I'm afraid of making things worse - kill the head or that the relapped head will wear out tapes.

[Nakdoc]

That deck is 100% Sony. I will check my junkers.

[HWTest]

That deck is 100% Sony. I will check my junkers.

Thank you very much, I'm very grateful.

[Scorpion8]

That deck is 100% Sony. I will check my junkers.

Give me the p/n off the entire transport assy. I have two complete Sony transports that look pretty similar sitting on my work bench right now.

[HWTest]

Give me the p/n off the entire transport assy. I have two complete Sony transports that look pretty similar sitting on my work bench right now.

244167 CASSETTE DECK MECHANISM (DECK A, DECK B)

Here is the whole SM: Onkyo TA-RW9090 Service Manual (http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/TA-RW9090SM.pdf)

[HWTest]

I've got an answer from Partstore: "We apologize but the part is not in stock and we don't know when it will be back in stock."

*headache**dammit**bang*

[Scorpion8]

244167 CASSETTE DECK MECHANISM (DECK A, DECK B)

Here is the whole SM: Onkyo TA-RW9090 Service Manual (http://web.iol.cz/pewstec/TA-RW9090SM.pdf)

Thanks. Unless Nakdoc finds one first, let me check when I get home tonight.

[HWTest]

Thanks. Unless Nakdoc finds one first, let me check when I get home tonight.

I need two, it's a double deck :-)

[Scorpion8]

I need two, it's a double deck :-)

I checked my two Sony transport units and they don't look at all very similar to these. There are a few minor similarities, but this is the timeframe when all was becoming one with fewer and fewer manufacturers.

Is there some reason this particular deck is worth repairing to you? Dual-well decks are a dime-a-dozen at most thrifts.

[HWTest]

Is there some reason this paricular deck is worth repairing to you? Dual-well decks are a dime-a-dozen at most thrifts.

I like the design very much it is an eye-catcher.

I know that Auto-reverse is not good for sound (I had an Aiwa AD-R470 deck in my beginnings) and double decks are mostly not so good as single decks.
That's the reason why this is my third deck, I have a Yamaha KX-670 and an Onkyo TA-2870 for good sound.
(A Nak would be my dream, recently i saw a very nice CR-7, but that's out of my league.)

I thought the Onkyo TA-RW9090 would be good for background music when I'm too lazy to change tapes *cool*
It was top of the Onkyo Double decks line in 1994/95 (it's an Integra), so I thought the sound should be quite good and it was very cheap.
The owner told me about some flaws - left deck fluttered badly and there was a minor problem with the door of the right deck, but nothing about the heads of course :-( he also told me that the sound is excellent (I've translated it for me as quite good), maybe he was a little deaf *devil*
So I thought: nice price, some flaws I can easily fix, very appealing design - good deal.
And at least for now, I don't want to give up and bin it ...

[Nakdoc]

I have one. We are searching for the second transport. We had torn down the unit they were in.

[HWTest]

Thank you. That's great news Nakdoc :-)

[HWTest]

Any news Nakdoc?

[Nakdoc]

Better PM me. I haven't found the second deck yet. We have a few different places we store this stuff...not very organized.