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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc. |
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Thread Tools |
22nd Feb 2021, 11:28 am | #21 | |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
Alan |
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22nd Feb 2021, 12:02 pm | #22 | |
Triode
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 21
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
Interestingly, I have noticed that sometimes on my deck when I set it to record I get a rumbling noise that sounds like the heads are magnetized. It disappears completely when I switch the individual track enable record switches out and in whilst in record. At first I thought they need deoxit but all of the switches have been gone through. It seems remarkably like this action is demagnetizing, which is contrary to received wisdom - Ferrograph particularly said this action would possibly magnetize the heads. It probably is just dirty switches still, since I don't know how the heads would become magnetized so easily, but it doesn't sound like the higher crackle you normally get with that and out and in once only always removes it. |
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23rd Feb 2021, 1:06 am | #23 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,965
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Of course demag tools come in various shapes, sizes and strengths of field. A slightly magnetised cassette head would hardly need the power of an Annis Han-D-Mag. Hopefully technicians used their common sense.
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23rd Feb 2021, 12:42 pm | #24 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 1,046
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
I have a handheld TDK demag. It takes a couple of small batteries. You switch on and it takes a few secs to charge the caps, whereupon the green light turns on and you can use it. It discharges after a second or two, and you have to wait for it to recharge. I wouldn't stake my life on it making an audible difference.... I might try recording a 15K tone before and after using it. My partner's Yamaha deck has never been demagged (or cleaned before she met me!).
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23rd Feb 2021, 1:57 pm | #25 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,965
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Is this the one? I've had this one for decades, bought from a pawn shop. Using it so often for small heads and guides as in cassette decks I got sick of replacing the small button cells so I made a rough mod to run from two AA batteries instead. I never regretted that mod!
It's pretty battered these days. The protective plastic piece on the tip failed long ago so I replaced it with heatshrink. I tested it recently and felt the decay may now be too fast. I must check the caps and replace if needed. Very handy tool. |
24th Feb 2021, 11:21 am | #26 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 196
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
He He...I have done the same mod to it...Excellent tool!
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Regards, John |
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24th Feb 2021, 12:38 pm | #27 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 1,046
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
This put a smile on my face -) It is indeed, Tim. Purchased mine in Lasky's (anyone remember them?) some time around 1984/5 if I recall correctly.
Maybe I should try the same mod -) To think that there was a chain such as Lasky's. I can picture the line of turntables as you entered the top floor (2 floors of audio - packed to the gills). It went on for several metres. Starting with the Duals and NADs, and increasing in price as you went along. I once saw a Krell power amp in there, underneath a shelf in a dark corner... Maybe it was a bit rich even for the mid 80s. |
24th Feb 2021, 12:50 pm | #28 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,809
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
I generally always clean my cassette drive system and heads by hand. But I still have a Metrosound cassette cleaner that, pretty much alone in the world of cassette cleaning 'machines', did actually work. It has felt pads at each end that you charge with cleaner and when you switch the machine to 'play' they 'scrub' the pinch roller and capstan very effectively, soaking up the detritus. Similarly, a felt pad scrubbed the heads. It was darned nearly as effective as doing it by hand and was great for quick use on difficult to access mechanisms.
I also use a mains powered 'fat pencil' demagnetiser.
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
24th Feb 2021, 2:30 pm | #29 | |
Triode
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 21
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
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24th Feb 2021, 3:09 pm | #30 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,809
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
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24th Feb 2021, 3:24 pm | #31 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 1,046
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
I think Allsop had a patent, although there were a few imitators. Personally, I regard it to be better than buds, as it scrubs capstans and tyres evenly. I shall attempt a -10 / 15K recording on my partner's Yamaha pre and post treatment with the TDK. Finally, I shall know if it does anything! (I would do it on one of my decks, but none of them work!) |
4th Mar 2021, 3:19 pm | #32 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 223
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
This is the one I use on my Sony TC880-2 and cassette deck.
https://www.analogueseduction.net/de...agnetiser.html Works very well, particularly so when doing capstans and tape guides Apologies if I have broken any rules. |
4th Mar 2021, 6:16 pm | #33 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Why the dodgy mains wiring, I wonder.
Are they NOS which somebody’s tried to make compliant? I have one bought in the 1980s which has rather frail “double barrelled” flex which I treat with kid gloves. |
4th Mar 2021, 10:22 pm | #34 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 223
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
I think they might be NOS and you are most probably right.
Mine I bought about 15 years ago and is correctly terminated with good quality cable, I just found that site because it showed my version apart from the dodgy wiring!! |
4th Mar 2021, 11:02 pm | #35 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,587
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
I have one and I think it has good cable (not modified) I will need to double check. David |
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5th Mar 2021, 1:09 pm | #36 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 1,294
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
This is mine, bought six years ago for less than £15 , complete with converter plug. It's got a German label and its dusty because it sits behind the R2R deck!
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Regards, Ken. BVWS member |
5th Mar 2021, 1:22 pm | #37 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 223
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Yes, that's what mine is like.
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5th Mar 2021, 3:54 pm | #38 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Mine too. I cut the plug off to fit a 13A one when I got it, and was rather shocked by how little copper there was to each conductor. Definitely one for a 1A plug fuse.
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6th Mar 2021, 2:16 am | #39 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,870
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
I have one like that which was purchased in the UK over 30 years ago that came with normal 2 core cable.
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6th Mar 2021, 12:05 pm | #40 | ||
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,587
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Re: Head demagnetizer cassette
Quote:
I brought it through Amazon a couple of years back. No makers name on the device but on the Packaging it is called Analogue Studio, there is a label with German writing on it. In the Amazon sales photo it shows it with a 2 core mains cable with 2 pin continental mains plug. In the Amazon sales text it says it is fitted with a Schuko (EU) mains plug and that for UK orders a Schuko to UK adapter will be supplied. But in my case (and others) it was being supplied modified with a 3 core mains cable plus UK 3 pin plug which completely replaces the original 2 core cable. The way the 3 wires go into the device with the earth wire in one heat shrink sleeve and the live + neutral wires in another heat shrink sleeve does look messy. Could really do with a large piece of heat shrik sleeve to go over the end section of the cable both to make it look a bit better and also give it a bit more strength, the device is heavy and the cables in the heat shrink feel somewhat weak. It functions well. David |
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