In a recent acquisition of a Philips 951, after recording a Cassete on this equipment and running the service test I found an error on CH3 (01 02 03) blinking !
Other Cassetes recorded on different equipment don’t appears this error and plays perfectly both Analog and Digital!
Also the message repeated of “clean head” and after open and cleaning the head with a Coton swab and alcohol, message disappear but error on CH3 continuous… looking on a detailed picture of head I saw this little hole in one side of head plate.
Thank you . Meanwhile I check other heads and gget the same conclusion that is a typical detail on all heads. The error could be related other issue.
The fact that isn´t recording correctly but when playing other cassettes recorded on diferent equipments are perfect I suspect that is related with RW board.
What does your player show in Service Mode, Overview of all Heads? Self Recording and Recording by others.
My Old P-951 likes Philips Tape Only…
BASF/Panasonic and other Tapes he don’t Like.
After change the RW board from other equipment, all Cassettes plays in perfect condition.
The remain situation that needs to be done when recording or playing old recordable cassettes is the need to change felt pads to avoid that pitched noise.
These, for me is a must, TO DO, and all owners of DCC equipments must be aware and done when the noise or “Clean head” message appears, and not selling the equipment
