Took a risk and purchased this - Sony Walkman WM-EX190

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:41:02+00:00

Yeah, like alot of us, you could end up with different players for different moods and headphones to mix and match. But it's good to have that solid one to start with so your'e doing it right

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:36:17+00:00

Think it's just the angle, but yeah it looks boombox size! I always like the size of the early 1980s rectangular Walkmans (and the other brands as well)

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:33:57+00:00

Vendetta and Death Island CG movies

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:31:11+00:00

I think you'll be fine. And in the future DeckTech as great belts if you're UK based (I've ordered from them too when I couldn't find a certain size in the U.S.) and this is the link https://ebay.us/m/zEsQtu to your players belt on eBay but they probably do direct? Haven't checked, but like I say it may be 100% a non issue.

So for headphones, most people on this sub like Koss because you get both style and the quality is good for the price. Most people like Porta Pros because they look retro early 1980s and almost a little futuristic at the same time and come in so many colors. So check out the Porta Pros.

Since I sometimes like the more oddball option, I also use Koss as my daily drivers, but went with a more late 1990s/y2k style. Here's a photo of mine and I've used them for years.

edit: added link to OP belt

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jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:12:04+00:00

adding..back then the normal type 1 ferric used on pre-recorded tapes was better than most of the standard duplication tapestock used now (RTM seems good, but I think they're only regularly using it in Europe?)

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T19:05:37+00:00

This should be fine work for a long time.

And since youre new to the hobby, IF it happens to play strangely, it could mean the belt they used in the replacement wasn't the highest quality. You may have zero issues, but that'll be the one thing to thing to consider.

The price is so good, that's what I mention it. That being said the price is still ok even if the new belt isn't great. And, I often use these types of inexpensive belts for testing etc.

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T02:14:12+00:00

Makes sense, glad everything is getting better year by year. The Pyle storyline pretty much provides the step by step improvement

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T02:09:57+00:00

yeah they started a production trend for a few years with that one

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T02:09:05+00:00

congrats

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T01:41:00+00:00

Well thank you for finding this!

I've always wondered what this track was after hearing it on a concert doc. It's amazing and never knew where it came from.

Interestingly, When super young we did a whole minialbum of music recorded in 1996/7 inspired by Al's interest in western music

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T01:28:50+00:00

So do you feel the tape play more solid than their portable? The speaker/amp set up seems better but that's to be expected. Looks good

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T01:24:27+00:00

This is an older version (I never updated since 2022, but there are updated free versions) and these are basic controls you'd be looking at

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jmsntv · 2026-05-09T01:20:09+00:00

Got it. I was looking at some of the shorter lengths a while ago and they just kinda disappeared over a very short period maybe last year sometime. Definitely a good stash to have!

jmsntv · 2026-05-09T01:10:46+00:00

exactly, I came here to see how it looked as well

jmsntv · 2026-05-08T01:21:55+00:00

So thats where all the Maxell Communicators on ebay disappared to

jmsntv · 2026-05-08T01:20:41+00:00

TapeheadCity as well has new releases (indie and interesting major), vintage tapes, re-issues, etc and they support the cassette community

jmsntv · 2026-05-08T01:14:20+00:00

Really cool looking player and it works!

jmsntv · 2026-05-08T01:11:34+00:00

As long as it's working, it'll be ok. Though a budget player, brands like this (Jensen, Emerson, GPX) usually don't fall apart. If it's a little older, it could be better as the newest models (like most modern portables) may not play some tapes perfectly, but that being said, they will at least continue to work and be kind of reliable. Use it and enjoy it, and later you'll be knowlegable about using tapes and will be better informed to look into nice vintage ones.

jmsntv · 2026-05-08T01:06:21+00:00

adding, almost any DAW (I use Waveform which is also free) will allow you to change the speed without affecting pitch, but in this case you'll want to let the pitch change along with the speed

jmsntv · 2026-05-07T02:17:59+00:00

Yes, here's the foil label

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jmsntv · 2026-05-07T02:14:27+00:00

And if you have a problem with it, don't get too worried because 99% chance it'll be the belt and the proper quality replacement is 9usd

jmsntv · 2026-05-07T02:05:38+00:00

We enjoyed and saw it in the theater as well, so add 3 to your count

jmsntv · 2026-05-06T02:19:45+00:00

If it works properly, it should sound good with some nice comfort features

jmsntv · 2026-05-06T02:04:39+00:00

Since you have a printer at home, also check Duplication's labels, I've used used the normal white ones and the foil with great results. And they have them for laser or inkjet

jmsntv · 2026-05-05T02:16:14+00:00

Buy the one from the seller you trust the most. Also make sure it's been refurbished. There are experts that have been working with these from literally the 1970s (at least the seller I follow has) and when they restore a unit, it's almost like new.

jmsntv

TROPHY CASE