Aiwa HS-G35 MKII

The HS-G35 MkII (HS-G330) was a stereo cassette player manufactured in 1987 by the Aiwa Corporation in Singapore. It was identical looking to the HS-G36 (HS-G360), and both models have the same basic mechanisms. Here are some of the features of the HS-G35MkII.

• 3-band graphic equalizer
• Auto reverse facility
• Chrome/metal/normal tape selector
• Dimension: 91.5 mm × 118.1 mm × 37.3 mm

Review

This stereo cassette player has a metal mechanism chassis resulting in robust build quality compared to some of the cheaper alternatives that were available at that time, hence its mass with batteries is 310 g. The auto reverse mechanism in this unit is very complicated resulting in a huge plethora of plastic cogwheels, and even the capstan flywheels have integrated plastic cogwheels. An advantage of this unit is that the fast-forward and rewind functions always remain powerful. Unfortunately, this was also its downside because the plastic eventually becomes brittle, and the cogwheels break. Hence, if you have one of these, then light-handedness is advised.

The electronics was advanced utilising integrated circuit (IC) technology. The DC motor speed regulator IC is AN6650, and it does a good job of maintaining the speed constant and uniform. This is an electronic governor IC for low-voltage DC motors.

The preamplifier and power amplifier solution is provided by the TA8105N IC manufactured by the Toshiba Corporation. The sound quality is very good; however it all depends upon the quality of the headphones you use with it. With 32 Ω headphone coils, the audio output is 15 mW per channel (EIAJ). The popularity of this model was partly because of the graphic equalizer function which meant that people with cheap budget-end headphones could enjoy better sound.

Price/eBay

This model is often for sale on the auction site and comes in various conditions. You should bear in mind that it uses two square-cut drive belts, and one is behind the main PCB, hence it is time-consuming to repair, and consequently costly. However this was a very iconic model that many people will be after it. A unit in mint condition in its original box and packaging can cost well over fifty pounds. However, just the player on its own with scratches and requiring a service would be worth in the region of five to ten pounds depending upon the day.

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