WM-D6C head difference

[jazzgene]

I am a fan of the WM-D6Cs. And have a handful. I have been pondering for some time now why an old earlier beat up unit sounded significantly better than a brand new one (later serial number). It is not azimuth as I made sure they are the exact using a Sony (and Nakamichi) test tapes.

The other day, I was checking it on the bench and noticed that the earlier unit had a more angular shaped head where as the later had a more gently sloped head. Did Sony use better heads on the earlier model?

[Pacific Stereo]

Only some other D-6C experts would know. My D-6 (non-C version) has what I recall is a laseramorphous head, which I believe the D-6C has as well. IIRC those are always pointed, whereas "regular" heads will have that familiar rounded shape. It's possible the original head was replaced by someone.

[jazzgene]

I found this:

"Firstly, the excellent and very effective amorphous head with its distinctive parabolic grind was replaced by a simpler, cheaper permalloy type of a cylindrical section. This later head is noticeably more wear prone and therefore could not be considered an improvement. Only latterly was the “amorphous head” script removed from the badge on the front of the machine so it cannot be used as a reliable guide to which type is fitted. "

I checked through my collection and indeed, the earlier ones do have the "pointy head" and I've always like how they sound much better than the later one which has a more rounded head.

more info:
http://www.walkmancentral.com/products/wm-d6c

[A.N.T.]

Could you please take a close-up photos of these two different heads? On all three WM-D6C I have here the heads are not "pointy", though they are very definitely amorphous heads.

Cheers

Alex

[Pacific Stereo]

Alex, you don't like my non-technical term? <grin>

[A.N.T.]

Did I say something wrong? I think the term is fine, it is just I've never seen a pointy head on the WM-D6C (nor a permalloy head for that matter).

Cheers

Alex

[Pacific Stereo]

Eeesh, no, was just goofin'.

[jazzgene]

You can see here clearly the difference.

This is not my photo as I don't think I can take any better photos with my iphone. And it will show the same exact thing.

My units that are 5 digits in serial number has the "pointy" heads while the one I have with 6 digit serial number has the more rounded head.

[A.N.T.]

Thank you for the photo. All my units have heads like the one on the right ("rounded") and these are all amorphous heads, so the shape is not an indication of the head's material.

Cheers

Alex

P.S. - just after I've posted that message, I've remembered that I have one more WM-D6C unit, for parts. I've took it out and voilà - it is an earlier version with 5-digit serial number and a "pointy" head! I may post some pictures later and even do some measurements on the heads. Both types of the head are amorphous though!

[jazzgene]

Interesting. Well, whatever type the heads are, my ears tell me that the earlier units with the pointy heads sound consistently better than the later ones with the rounded heads. Of course, I don't know if that is because of the heads itself or perhaps changes in the circuitry.

Here is more info by a tech in Chicago. Not sure if he is accurate or not.
http://www.stereo2go.com/topic/bette...boxed-for-sale

[Lapis]

The pointed head is the original Sony D6C. The purpose of that is to maximize the head contact, therefore better sound. I read this somewhere in Stereo2go.com

[TooCool4]

I can’t quite remember if they used different heads on the D6C’s, I will have to check when I get home. On the DC2’s the earlier units had the more angular heads, which I believe gave a better low-end response.

Your expert on this matter is dottor walkman, PM him and he can help. Also he has serial number of when the changes were made.

See this thread http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread....dottor+walkman

[jazzgene]

The difference I hear is that with the earlier heads, the music is more clear and transparent. The rounded head units tend to have a thicker sound. Sort of like the difference between a Nak 680zx and Nak CR7. But at a much lower fidelity than the Naks.

[weirding]

Originally Posted by A.N.T.

Thank you for the photo. All my units have heads like the one on the right ("rounded") and these are all amorphous heads, so the shape is not an indication of the head's material.

that is interesting to know - as when i have seen the D6c for sale "amorphous" is mentioned only for the pointy head - and not mentioned for the rounded, thus the pointy head demands a higher value, would obviously believe there to be improved tape contact with the "pointy" head but being a the rounded heads can also seemingly be amorphous they are still of better quality than the permalloy type - but how would those with the rounded head know if they had an amorphous or permalloy head ?

I also read that there was a circuit board design difference - and that the change occurred in tandem with the head - pointed to rounded .... but with the change - was the rounded head also amorphous ?

http://www.walkmancentral.com/products/wm-d6c

i'm happy regardless

[jazzgene]

All my WM-D6Cs are labeled Amorphous Head on the side of the unit. Pointed heads and rounded heads, both. Pointy heads sound better to me though.

[walkman archive]

You can find more info here:

http://www.*footmouth*.com/topic/is-...54338724576801

[cmexonat]

Hello,
Don't know to open new topic or not... Anyway.
Look, what I've got from fleabay. Serial number of the unit is 89754, so the head should be pointy. But its not. Here you can see head model 35711 (Mitsumi?).
I'm curious is this stock head or was swapped someday? How do you think? The seller don't know any history of this Walkman, as got it with real estate from his gone relative.

[A.N.T.]

Originally Posted by cmexonat

Hello,
Don't know to open new topic or not... Anyway.
Look, what I've got from fleabay. Serial number of the unit is 89754, so the head should be pointy. But its not. Here you can see head model 35711 (Mitsumi?).
I'm curious is this stock head or was swapped someday? How do you think? The seller don't know any history of this Walkman, as got it with real estate from his gone relative.

"35711" is the number on the stock head on the later s/n WM-D6C. It is an amorphous head.

Cheers

Alex

[cmexonat]

Thank you!
I thought if the unit of 5 digits in serial number it will have the "pointy" head.
So, it's not for sure.

[405line]

Just bagged a 1986 WM-D6C (my second) a 5 digit example serial:513xx from the bay..I wasn't too happy after recently discovering there was a head change, SMD etc, it's a pointy head..i think it might have a "bouncier" bass and the far treble sounds more assured (azimuth?/non IEC?) than the "35711" version.