black survivor series 1994 sony wm-fx101 cassette walkman with cassette and headphones
sony wm-fx101 / 1994

the compact survivor

survivor

this machine is not in the current lineup. its saved story is here for reference.

meet the lineup

the story

1994 has been underway for approximately five minutes and everything is already too big. Cell phones are bricks, jeans contain enough denim to upholster a Buick, and then Sony quietly drops the WM-FX101, a tiny black ninja of a cassette player compact enough to disappear into a jacket pocket and basic enough that there’s almost nothing standing between you and the tape. No luxury accommodations, no technological peacocking, just load cassette, press play, leave house. This particular FX101 clearly understood that last instruction. Three decades of duty have left some scars across the body, but underneath them is exactly the kind of stubborn little machine the APD Survivor Series exists for. We dragged it into the lab, gave the important bits all the attention they deserved, and found a Walkman still capable of delivering surprisingly great sound through a good pair of headphones. It isn’t here to sit behind glass and discuss its investment potential. It already survived the first thirty years. Your job is to give it something interesting to do for the next thirty.

What You Get

  • The unit itself — in good external condition with some bumps and bruises, fully serviced and ready for use, you’ll only need to supply 2 AA batteries. Pictures show the exact unit you’ll receive.
  • Your choice of a freshly curated APD 80’s mixtape or a retro prerecorded tape from our archives
  • A pair of period-correct headphones (new)
  • Original Sony belt clip
  • Iconic Sony Sound - sounds better than anything released new on the market today
  • Legendary APD packaging with custom sticker pack

Features + Highlights

  • Cr02 tape support
  • AVLS - save your eardrums if you want
  • Analog FM/AM tuner
  • Small-sized format Walkman build, sturdy, built for real use

Service Provided (Nerd Stuff)

  • Full off body cleaning and restoration
  • Belt pathways fully cleaned and new premium belt installed
  • Motor lubricated
  • All contacts cleaned (crackle free)
  • NAK-T100 Speed Adjusted, wow and flutter within spec
  • Capstans and pinch rollers cleaned
  • Head cleaned and demagnetized
  • Transport cleaned and lubricated
  • Full playback tested

Condition + Character

  • This reborn legend has great cosmetics with some visible wear happening in it’s 32 years of life (see photos).
  • Controls, sliders, knobs and tape door feel rock-solid and responsive.
  • Cassette porthole clean and clear.
  • Clean and corrosion-free battery contacts.
meet the lineup care + maintenance

for a past purchase, the return terms shown on your Etsy order apply, together with applicable Etsy policies and your statutory rights. check your Etsy order for return details.