Marantz PMD-510 Intermittent Warbling Problem - independent of cassette problem(s)

[DaveScott999]

I have a beautiful Marantz PMD-510 dual auto-reverse cassette deck. Occasionally it will warble horrifically on a cassette - in each case, the same cassette will play fine on my Nakamichi 500. Sometimes I can cycle the power and clear the problem. Other times, I can FF and REW and then Play - and the problem might be gone, might not: I think the power cycles and FF/REW are immaterial to some other random problem. The deck does it with BOTH cassette wells (each are auto-reverse wells) - either both play fine, or both have the problem. Initially, I thought the problem was the particular cassette - a clear-shell pre-recorded Dexter Gordon double-play in the first instance. Just now, it played a double Brubeck just fine, auto-reversing and sounding fantastic (and piano and alto require very accurate playback, as you know). When I popped in a Mingus just now, the warble and drag was horrific - yet the reels turn very freely. Any suggestions would be most welcome as to what the problem could be. I've re-gripped the belts, capstans, and pinch rollers.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Do the tapes which warble play well in other machines?

 

[DaveScott999]

Thanks for responding: Yes, they do. In fact, some of the tapes that warble in one instance, will randomly play just fine next day on the PMD-510 (and, those same tapes play fine in ALL instances on other decks). It seems the problem is harbored in the deck, and appears randomly... leading me to think it's an electronic problem - a failing cap or something? I notice another person had a 510 problem a few years back (Search "pmd-510" for Houstonduckm's problem - problem similar, but in his description the deck began to slow down during Play after 10-15 minutes). Anyone with a definitive answer? This might be a common problem to these decks...

 

[revox-b77]

Well,
It sounds like replacing the belts and idler tires would be a place to start. I would also make sure that the pinch rollers are clean and not hardened.