Denon DR-M44 - Part 1 - Transport

Full rebuild of Denon DR-M44. Part 1 begins with the transport.

[MrSteney]

I've been looking forward to a new video from you. Best show on TV tonight!

[leszekalbin]

Your repair videos are the best! You explain and show everything in detail. I have over... twenty high-end cassette players that I have repaired myself and your repair videos are very helpful. Best regards🙂👍🏻

[resynthesizer]

You've inspired me to tear into mine. Starting with the transport. I have a belt, idler, and pinch rollers on the way.

[JamesE]

On another old (third) Sony I've just finished work on (TC-161SD), I had to part drill out one end of the pinch roller pin as it wouldn't budge. I got it out all fine after tapping with a punch, but of course I then had to very carefully ream out this smaller hole to line up with the opposing hole. The pin has to be orthogonal in x, y, and z axes. My replacement 'pin' was a 12mm steel rivet - don't laugh, but it works a treat!, although I would prefer to replace like you did. The nice thing about the 'head' on the rivet is that it acts as a 'stopper' too. I know it's not proper engineering, but sometimes alternative solutions are neccessary.

I've enjoyed watching this upload, many thanks for your time. I made a few pathetic videos several months ago - it so time consuming, so I appreciate the work that goes into these!

[LEX_A]

Отличная работа! Недавно стал наблюдать за Вашими роликами и понимаю, что последние 4 года я тоже все правильно делаю, но все равно, есть чему поучиться. Очень профессиональный подход. Благодарю.

[ВладимирКанайкин-эи]

Thanks for the video. Everything was very useful and exciting. Your experience should be passed on to interested people. Thank you again very much.

[zambrano]

Excelente ASB Custom, a mi gusta como haces el video, que lo pones a una velocidad mas rápida, en cosas que se sabe se toma mucho tiempo, y mientras haces eso vas indicando lo que haces, tiene su trabajo de edición. pero muy buen trabajo, ese Deck va a quedar mejor que nuevo.

[VladMX]

Long format all the way ! Excelent videos, as always, a please to watch your work and learn more on how to properly restore these decks !!!
What is the name of the tool you used to pull the rolles pins out ? The one with multiple holes that is used as support when happering the pin ?

[JamesE]

There are so many questions I could ask, and also give feedback to you on some of my procedures.

In your opinion, must there be some kind of shallow centre 'bowing' on a new pinch roller? I've grinded some of my old pinch rollers down, but leaving a shallow bow, but they are not as efficient as a good, new pinch, apparently 'flat' roller. On a dual capstan machine, the pinch rollers have to be really good, especially on the supply side to allow proper and consistent 'slip' to occur. If this doesn't happen azimuth errors begin to appear very quickly (one can hear it with headphones), ignoring of course the more dramatics 'chewing' of tape.

[Jean-LucCoeurdevey]

I am very impressed with your knowledge, skills, patience and equipment. I have an issue with a DR-M22 I just bought. A loop of tape appears from time to time by the left capstan. Could it be a mechanical or electronic problem leading an incorrect relative speed between the two capstans? Any idea?

[pilk]

Any chance of a list of cleaners, oils and different lubricants you use along with tools that supply them?

[zorst]

I have this same unit and would be interested in having it tuned up. It has at least one problem for sure the idle wheel needs replaced and the bias on the erase head might be an issue. Are you up for taking on a project?

[kichoi]

Where can I purchase the ebony side panels for the DR-M44(HX)?

[Merovingian]

i have a audible buzz from my dr-m20 at higher volume is there a reason for this the deck works fine just that annoying buzz/humm

[АлексейМисоченко-нн]

Отличная работа, скажите пожалуйста, вы можете подсказать с ремонтом Denon dr- m11, включается питание, основной двигатель крутится, вращается тонвалл, а больше ничего не работает не реагирует на кнопки и не поднимается панель с головками для воспроизведения, буду признателен любому совету и помощи!!!

[JamesE]

One more comment to bore the socks off everyone, and that is with a dual capstan setup, preparing a cassette with a few sections cut-out to observe tape flow is recommended.

Signing off. :)

Eric.

[JamesE]

It would have been an even bigger 'rats nest' if it was all discrete components. ;o)