Panasonic RX-1230 Cassette sounds muffled

[Rrl1978]

Happy 4th!

I cannot get a good sound. I degmagnitized the head, cleaned the inside gears, cleaned the head with 99% alchohol, I have tried different cassettes, ensure the sponge in the cassette is not sunken, adjusted the azmuth and got a new belt drive. This system does not have a tone knob. The only other adjustment I can make are the little knobs inside (see pic I have arrows pointed at them). What else can it be?

It sounds loud and clear when the radio is playing.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[caution]

Those are for the tuner.
What does it sound like? Is it too quiet? Is there a hum? Distortion? Muffling?

 

[Rrl1978]

Those are for the tuner.
What does it sound like? Is it too quiet? Is there a hum? Distortion? Muffling?

Yes, it sounds muffled and hissing.

 

[Rrl1978]

Yes, it sounds muffled and hissing.

What do you think it might be?

 

[caution]

If you haven't already, clean the record/play switch.... it gets pushed by that lever reaching over to the circuit board from the deck

 

[Rrl1978]

If you haven't already, clean the record/play switch.... it gets pushed by that lever reaching over to the circuit board from the deck

Yes. I cleaned it. Still sounds the same. I just dont know what it could be.

 

[hopey]

Try polish the play head. and Clean with acetone.

 

[caution]

Not much left to check. Maybe the head is aligned, but not centered on the tape path. Turn both screws clockwise a bit by the same amount, if it sounds worse, try the other direction. Other than that, you could refresh the electrolytic caps in the tape circuit. I see six of them on the schematic.