the story
The Long Hauler. Thirteen hours. That’s what Sony promised when the WM-FX321 landed in 1996, and they were proud enough of it to slap a giant sticker right on the front. Thirteen hours is an unreasonable amount of responsibility to hand someone with a backpack full of cassettes and nowhere particularly important to be. Thankfully, Sony also gave the FX321 auto-reverse, so you don’t even have to participate when Side A runs out. This is classic mid-90s Sony doing what it did best. It’s compact, uncomplicated, surprisingly handsome, and built around the radical concept that your music should just keep playing until you decide otherwise. This example has picked up a little character during its thirty-year journey, but somehow that magnificent 13 HOURS sticker survived, and at this point removing it would constitute vandalism. We gave the important bits their due in the APD lab, and it rewards the effort with that clean, punchy cassette sound that made Sony Walkman legendary. There’s a radio hiding in there too, should you become curious about what other people are listening to. Otherwise, insert cassette, press play and clear your schedule. Apparently you have thirteen hours.
What You Get
• The unit itself — in great external condition with almost no 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/case carrying situation
• Iconic Sony Sound - arguably sounds better than anything on the market today
• Legendary APD packaging with a custom sticker pack for a gift-worthy unboxing.
Features + Highlights
• AVLS - save your eardrums if you want
• Cr02 tape support
• Auto Reverse - flipping tapes is for peasants
• 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 almost no visible wear happening in it’s 30 years of life (see photos).
• Controls, sliders, knobs and tape door feel rock-solid and responsive.
• Clean and corrosion-free battery contacts.
FCC information: This vintage Walkman is sold as a used device. The FCC’s adopted online-marketplace FCC-ID display rule exempts listings for used devices (47 CFR § 2.803(c)(3)(iii)).