WM-FX32, Cheap But Not so Nasty

While I've been enjoying my Fiio CP-13, I've frequently been badgered by boomers to get a "real Walkman" so I did. A word on location again, the market for Walkan in Australia is pretty pathetic. From delusional "vintage" retailers selling broken Sanyo's for many hundreds of dollars or dishonest shitheads selling dictophones as "walkmen", the situation is dire.

But thanks to the good people at Starboard Games in Melton Victoria, I finally have a Real Walkman. So how does it hold up... Yeah it's pretty good. While it's not as sturdy feeling as the CP-13 and its full metal frame, it's survived thirty odd years so it must have done something right.

The face of the ancient device

The FX range like this one came with a radio that used the 3.5mm jack as an antenna extender. The player also has the ability to play chrome tapes at the correct bias, something all modern players lack.

Some of the options on the top of the device, including the tape type select and Sony's volume safety control "AVLS"

Note the direction selection switch, another very feature lost on modern players

The internals of the player. The drive belt appears to have been replaced quite recently which is a nice touch. Take particular note of the while fillips head plastic screw on the top left of the unit, this is used for speed adjustment and is assessable via a hole in the back plate.

So how's the comparison

The WM-FX32 is replete with features no modern player has but it's not without flaws. It's age and light flywheel have resulted in noticeable flutter and wow. The whole device also feels a little like a McDonald's toy despite its reliability. That being said if you can find one going cheap it's certainly a better option than any modern player, especially with that belt clip allowing you to show the world what a freak you are

Originally posted 25/12/05