Sony K611S vs K661S 3 Head Cassette Decks - What's the Difference?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- I wanted to make a little video today highlighting the differences between two great Sony cassette decks - the K661 and the K611.
Sony K611S (1993-1994)
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Sony K661S (1995)
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Equally awesome sounding decks but don't get caught out!
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Interesting comparison. I could never understand why they made the motors constantly run on those 611s. My one had a really noisy motor due to this.
I have a theory that once they're worn, and then they stop (for say, 10 years in the back of a wardrobe because the belts broke) they need and crave oil and a good few days running to quieten them down again. I've saved a few by putting them on FF for 24 hours 😅
That’s sounds a good idea.
I have both of these decks, never reolised there was slight differences in the tape mecs so was definitely handy information. My k661s is working fine but the 611s needs parts. I also find these decks very serviceable
What parts does it need? There are sneaky ways to get parts for them cheap.. 🫠
the 611s needs a new pinch roller. plus are you aware of the jumpy supply reel issue with these decks and if theres a fix ? i asume its a common issue with these decks
I love the channel and wish I still lived in the UK. I would be sending you my Sony TC-K677ES, which I found at a thrift store but seems to have a few issues, and it's getting beyond me to fix myself. I found another deck recently, a TC-WE435, and put in some new DeckTech belts (I also use them for walkman belts, etc.), and it's working great. My question is: I think I'm going to need an oscilloscope for checking azimuth and other things. I can't really afford a good scope like yours. Do you think I could get away with one of the cheap LCD models you can find on the likes of Amazon or AliExpress? What do I need to make sure it has to help me with everything cassette deck-related? I assume at least two channels. Keep up the good work.
Mine was second hand off eBay. It was only £40 and I've had it maybe four years now.
The cheap ones will work fine but it MUST be two channel. One for left, one for right.
Single channel ones are a bit pointless as you need to see both at once.
@@pwrestoration didn't think to check eBay :)
The capstan motor constantly running when the tape deck is on seems to have been a common feature in Sony decks - observed the same on the TC-K620 and TC-K690. Its pretty annoying since ultimately it means I have to manually turn the tape deck on and off instead of powering on / off via remote along with the rest of the other components in my Sony stack to avoid unnecessary wear to the belts / motor. As for servicing, just an idea but a quick tutorial on servicing the leaf switches responsible for the tape type would be useful.
Yep, me too. Then you forget and it gets left on for two days spinning away. Those leaf switches are generally bullet proof, the only one that sometimes needs a cuddle is the one for type2 tapes. The tell tale is the 'type 2' indicator flashing when closing the door.
Usually though they're never dirty, as they have plastic covers on. Usually they're bent when someone pulls the transport.
The 661 was a cheaper version of the 611 design but with some improvements. The better quality decks from the 611 range led to the 715 and 815 which are excellent, servo controlled quartz decks with dual capstans getting even closer to the ES range.
I have the 611 because of your videos, I love it. There is a Sony TC-K630ES up for sale for £90, but east tape. Should I buy it? Cheers
I'm guessing you meant eats tape?.
If you don't buy it I will. It'll need a pinch roller probably.
@@pwrestoration cheers will buy it then. I love the 611, I’d say it’s hard to tell the difference between a cd and the tape when set up right with a Tdk sa 90.
Nice video, just got a cosmetically mint 661 but it chews some tapes (not all just normally the expensive ones). Do you do private repair work?
I do, give me a shout via email in my profile 😀
Good video.
I've got a Toshiba Aurex deck that looks great but sounds terrible. Would it be worth getting it properly serviced? I also have a decent sounding Aiwa and Sony, but my favourite is a Pioneer bookshelf one.
It's always worth getting decks serviced if they aren't giving you what you expect.
For the average Joe I would always recommend some IPA on a cotton bud and give the playback head a really good clean, remove as much dust as you can from the transport too. Maybe check your RCA cables are in good condition.
With 70s decks sometimes the heads are just worn which results in a poor playback no matter what you calibrate. Some 70s decks are suprisingly good for playback!
@@pwrestoration Thanks. I've done the basics. I think it has either been well used, or abused. I was planning to get it out of the garage with another one and do a comparison video before getting rid, but I love the look of it and the big cassette window. I suspect the heads are worn or misaligned. Wish I had your servicing kit and knowledge.
Thanks again
@@CBitsTech are you in the UK? I could take a look if you want, once I get this queue down.
Most of what I know has been from TH-cam or just reading the service manuals, £45 oscilloscope and some screwdrivers! 😍
@@pwrestoration Yep, I'm down south. Seems like you're an expert/pro. I don't own an oscilloscope or know how to use one. I'll think about sending it off to you. Nothing happens fast with me though. I'll contact you off TH-cam about it if that's ok. Thanks.
@@CBitsTech Nope I'm just a guy with some tools is all. I do my best. Not a problem - contact me anytime 👍
Was just wondering. I am wanting to have the ability to view vu meters on my system. If I have a three head cassette deck, does recording have to actually be engaged to view the meters?
Have you ever used the 'Hans-Peter Roth' calibration tapes??
I haven't but they sound expensive 😅
@@pwrestoration they cost around 70 quid on the popular auction site. They are 6 individual cassette and all mono full track. From Germany. That's what I use.
Can i buy tc k561s?..how is the sound quality?..
I just can't get over how empty the box is. It doesn't help that I had one of these Sonys, maybe lower in the range, but still, a pretty good one normally, but just didn't have a good sound. It had a very low level (casette sounding too quiet in comparison with other decks and actually the low level was just hiding a very mumbled and high noise sound). I didn't try anything further, just traded it away. So I remain to this day to experiment the miracle of the Sony decks.
One thing I will say about these Sony decks, especially in comparison to others (Yamaha for one definitely) is that when you record a tape it can sound good on other decks too.
Some recordings are only replayable on that deck really, but with Dolby C on these decks I have found it translates well to others.
Can I ask what is the difference between a 661S and the lower 561S (which I have)?
Absolutely nothing!
The motor runs with the deck off? I have a 611S and had no idea. I have a bunch of KA1ESA’s that sound just as good but are more reliable. I bought a Yamaha KX-670 last week that sounds better than all of them.
The 611 - when it's powered on but not playing. The 661 only runs when you press play.
Ok, you scared me. I thought you meant when it’s plugged in but powered off it still runs.
i have a 715s and i have the problem that I am unable to adjust the speed and my deck is around 4% slow. This one does not have a potentiometer and according to the service manual the speed should be adjusted automatically if you follow the procedure which in my case unfortunately didn't work. Maybe the IC that controls that is broken. Did you come across a similar issue?
The only way to adjust the speed should be on the back of the motor? The 715s has the same transport as the one in the video. Maybe someone swapped the motor for one without a speed pot - sometimes the hole for it is hidden under a sticker.
Worst case put a replacement motor in and adjust it as normal
@@pwrestoration Thanks. I checked the motor and also opened the cap, but I do not see any possibility to adjust it. The service manual does not include any method to change the speed. it only offers a Tape speed check:
1. Short the connector CNE702 (test mode)
2. Set to Fwd Playback
3. Confirm freq. counter becomes 3000 +-30hz
4. Push Counter Reset switch (S759) on the front panel
5. Confirm that the counter display indicator tube (FLT751) is "A1E"
6. After checked, open connector CNE702
@@mrtea7305 @mrtea7305 that is really strange. Can I just confirm your deck is similar to one of the ones in the video, and not a midi system? Sony has two systems seemingly under the same model number.
If it were me I would take the part number of your existing capstan motor, confirm it's voltage, and then fit a replacement of the same voltage with an adjustor pot on the back.
If you do buy a replacement motor ensure it spins the same way and that it has mounting holes on the front side.
And as a final question, without being rude, are you definitely checking the capstan motor?
The only time I've seen a motor fitted to a deck that wasn't adjustable was a child's fisher price portable! 😅
На 715 нет регулировки скорости, там кварцевая стабилизация вращения.@@pwrestoration
I have the 615
2 motor
What about dual capstan does it make a huge different??
I think it's more reduction of W&F and speed issues with two
Nice video thanks.
does the capstan motor still run when in standby
Not on the 661
@@pwrestoration so you have to power off the deck at the wall not put it into standby?
if thats the case stupid flaw form sony
@@user-Merovingian1980 No, if you put the unit into standby, the motor will not run. The problem is that once powered on the motor runs constantly, even if the deck is not playing.
Looks like the 611S has an aluminium front panel and the 661S is plastic.
Both metal just the 661 in my opinion has a slightly nicer finish. Much like the ES range.
old SONY
The 661 look nicer but I do like ghe 611 I would recommend to unplug the deck when not in use to prevent damgae to components