Sony WM-EX674 Tape Transport

The Sony WM-EX674 has a well-engineered tape transport, which is similar to the previous models. The cassette compartment housing is metal and precision engineered. The advancement in this player is more with the sound processor circuitry.

Tape Path

The pinch rollers are very small and the only proper way to clean them is to remove the top lid by undoing three screws.

These players have a fixed head, which encounters the tape when the top lid is closed. It is a little magic trick, which saves having to use servos to move the head. This of course simplifies the design and allows the player to be so small.

Playback Head

The playback head picks signals from both sides of the tape, which means all four tracks. These signals feed directly to the audio amplifier IC through a ribbon cable. The audio amplifier IC then performs the selection of the tracks. There is usually a switching block just before the preamplifier block, which selects the relevant tracks based on the direction of the tape travel.

These heads are usually very good quality, and manufactured to high standards. As long as they are properly demagnetised, they can provide an excellent sound.

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