[solved] Aiwa tape deck quiter left channel? :V

B

Boomboxholic

Member (SA)
Jan 12, 2019
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6
Hello guys. I had a used Aiwa WX 808 in a good bargain a few days ago. It looks awesome. Its almost brand new and as the previous owner stated it was less used. It sounds good but in the VU meters I can notice the left channel is a bit weaker. Even using input on pc audacity's VU meter looks a bit quiet on left side. I have checked the service manual and I have seen tons of adjustment switches. PB Frequensy response adjustment, PB senssitivity adjustment, Bias OSC frequensy adjustment. Bias OSC coil Adjustment. Rec equalizer level adjustment. Am kinda new in tape deck world, so I have no idea which one of these adjustments helps on balancing general volume left channel. Any help?

Anyway here is the image!
 

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BoomboxLover48

BoomboxLover48

Member (SA)
Dec 3, 2010
5,756
274
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Chicago, IL
Common problems:

  • Clean the head with isopropyl alcohol smeared on a cotton bud or on a mocrofiber cloth.
  • Head is not aligned well. Need to align the deck using a plastic screw driver. Look for the screw that is on top of springs and do alignment. Refer to service manual and do the right way if it is a high end auto reverse deck.
  • Head needs demagnetization
  • Clean the record bar in the deck. It is a long switch on the PC board. Clean it with deoxit and move it manually from inside a min 50 times.
  • Try using a tape that is fairly new and you know it plays strong on both channels
I have a big collection of high end decks reel to reel and cassette types and work on them once in a while. These are the common problems I have noticed. May be a head cleaning will fix the issue.
 
caution

caution

Member (SA)
Mar 25, 2014
2,508
344
83
Boomboxery
Nice choice! This was my daily deck for years, bought it new in the late '80s. The break from side A to B was nearly seamless with the quick auto reverse and leader tape sensor. Got one in better shape a couple years ago so I can keep playing my tapes that need dbx to sound right.

I went to an audio show back then and still had the brochure page for this deck. The other pic is from the following year, found that one online.

The service manual can be found here (link) and here (link), which have a couple pages on how to adjust various pots inside. Never tried it but maybe it will help your issues.

Not all 808's had Dolby HX Professional. The marking in the lower-left corner on the front sometimes says "DOLBY B-C NR" instead of "DOLBY B-C NR HX PRO"


 
B

Boomboxholic

Member (SA)
Jan 12, 2019
32
0
6
caution said:
Nice choice! This was my daily deck for years, bought it new in the late '80s. The break from side A to B was nearly seamless with the quick auto reverse and leader tape sensor. Got one in better shape a couple years ago so I can keep playing my tapes that need dbx to sound right.

I went to an audio show back then and still had the brochure page for this deck. The other pic is from the following year, found that one online.

The service manual can be found here (link) and here (link), which have a couple pages on how to adjust various pots inside. Never tried it but maybe it will help your issues.

Not all 808's had Dolby HX Professional. The marking in the lower-left corner on the front sometimes says "DOLBY B-C NR" instead of "DOLBY B-C NR HX PRO"


Click to expand...
Yeah loving it already! Well about the playback, its not possible due to faulty belts. I will replace those within this week. There is no record/playback bar as the whole machine is electronically controled. All I can do is to clean out the record input control switch. About Adjusting the pots, which pot do I need to adjust exactly. There are tons of pots. I only need to adjust the one for the recording levels.

Guys you wont even believe how easy it was. On the rec input switch, there was 2 controls instead of one! So now I have beautiful clear stereo sound


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e6nzHUzSwk&feature=youtu.be
 
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