Project

I like retro tech. I've got a fair collection of old gear, Walkmans, game consoles, test kit, cameras, allsorts. I've wanted a TC-D5 for as long as I can remember. I bought this one on fleabay in late 2020 as 'spares / repairs' and it's been sat on my bench ever since. I opened it up when I first got it and realised it was beyond my skillset (know your limits, hence the title) I've been searching ever since for someone who could fix it for me.

When I opened it up it was a mass of wires & wonderful mechanisms. Far too complex for an amateur like me if I ever want it to work again.

I put the lid back on and started to look for someone who could restore it to it's former glory. I got it for a steal of a price, so even if i was gonna cost a few quid to restore it, happy days. I've spoken to a few technicians about getting it repaired and none of them gave me the warm feeling I was looking for. Lots of iffy answers, lots of "It'll cost you £X for me to look at it, no guarantees" I started to think it was just going to be a reyt good clean from me and then it's just a nice looking thing to have on my shelf. But then I stumbled upon Retro Technical. They specialise in repairing / refurbishing / selling old Walkmans, cassette players & tech.

It's run by a chap called Simon and as soon as I spoke to him, I knew he was the right man for the job. Simon filled me with confidence, he spoke about some of the other repairs he's done on the same device, spoke to me about the quality of the mechanism inside the TC-D5, told me what he suspected would need replaced if I chose to send it to him.

Before I'd finished speaking to Simon, I'd started to box it up ready to send it to him! Simon messaged when he recieved it with his initial report, rotten belts, rock hard idlers and crusty grease (exactly what he said would be wrong with it!). He's got belts in stock but has had to order in the idler rubbers. When the idler wheels arrive Simon will install them and he'll be able to give the machine a full test & tune.

I can't wait for the idlers to arrive and to get it back and enjoy it.