Aiwa Z-L500 Stereo Tape Deck Eject Issue

Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It remains
up in the cassette.

A web search for a solution revealed that other owners of this model
Aiwa have the same issue, but no solution.

Does anyone know if Aiwa made an improved cassette deck assembly that
resolved this issue?

Thank You in advance, John

 

[N_Cook]

<jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:2doud79o8etj66jpa1441di902obq1c09d@4ax.com...

Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo
is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve
this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It
remains
up in the cassette.

A web search for a solution revealed that other owners of this model
Aiwa have the same issue, but no solution.

Does anyone know if Aiwa made an improved cassette deck assembly
that
resolved this issue?

Thank You in advance, John

The solenoid should engage the PTO from the main system. Is there another
band you have not seen or missing linkage or pawl connecting to the solenoid
spindle ?

 

[Mark Zacharias]

<jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:2doud79o8etj66jpa1441di902obq1c09d@4ax.com...

Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve
this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It
remains
up in the cassette.

A web search for a solution revealed that other owners of this model
Aiwa have the same issue, but no solution.

Does anyone know if Aiwa made an improved cassette deck assembly that
resolved this issue?

Thank You in advance, John

Possibly your replacement belt(s) haven't quite enough tension. That is,
slightly too large outer circumference. I have had similar problems when the
belts I used weren't "quite" right.

The Aiwa's do click quite a bit as they change modes, but I don't think the
heads stay engaged in regular FF or REW modes - sounds like a music search
(skip to next song) function.

Mark Z.

 

Hi Mark,

You are right. The heads do not stay engaged during FF or RW.

This was my error because I made that observation when this problem
occurred during a "play" action.

Thank You, John


On Thu, 8 Dec 2011 06:29:36 -0600, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:2doud79o8etj66jpa1441di902obq1c09d@4ax.com...
Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve
this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It
remains
up in the cassette.

A web search for a solution revealed that other owners of this model
Aiwa have the same issue, but no solution.

Does anyone know if Aiwa made an improved cassette deck assembly that
resolved this issue?

Thank You in advance, John



Possibly your replacement belt(s) haven't quite enough tension. That is,
slightly too large outer circumference. I have had similar problems when the
belts I used weren't "quite" right.

The Aiwa's do click quite a bit as they change modes, but I don't think the
heads stay engaged in regular FF or REW modes - sounds like a music search
(skip to next song) function.

Mark Z.

 

[b]

On Dec 7, 1:59 pm, jaugust...@verizon.net wrote:

Hi,
      I am a service technician for many years.  This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo is
my own.

      From time to time, I can not eject a cassette.  Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue.  I replaced the belts, but that did not solve this
problem.

      More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end.  A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage).  It remains
up in the cassette.

This is almost certainly the belts still. You probably need some which
are a bit shorter or a bit thicker.
Did you clean the motor pulley and capstan flywheel surfaces with
alcohol before fitting the new ones? This is essential to remove old
deposits and grease which cause slippage under load.

It could also be that the cam and its follower arm /associated
sliders, racks etc. have old grease on which has hardened and is
causing things to bind. Only cure is a full strip down, clean, and
regrease. However, this is not likely in a cassette deck like this.

In particular problem cases, I have found that roughening up the
plastic on the grooves where the belts go helps give it that bit more
grip.

HTH
regards
B.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"b" <reverend_rogers@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1f513779-3c38-4a99-8a04-548ca3033491@z1g2000vbx.googlegroups.com...

On Dec 7, 1:59 pm, jaugust...@verizon.net wrote:
Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo
is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve
this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It
remains
up in the cassette.

This is almost certainly the belts still. You probably need some which
are a bit shorter or a bit thicker.
Did you clean the motor pulley and capstan flywheel surfaces with
alcohol before fitting the new ones? This is essential to remove old
deposits and grease which cause slippage under load.

It could also be that the cam and its follower arm /associated
sliders, racks etc. have old grease on which has hardened and is
causing things to bind. Only cure is a full strip down, clean, and
regrease. However, this is not likely in a cassette deck like this.

In particular problem cases, I have found that roughening up the
plastic on the grooves where the belts go helps give it that bit more
grip.

HTH
regards
B.

I absolutely agree. I used to repair literally hundreds of assorted Aiwa
models for an outfit that were main service agents for a barn that sold them
almost exclusively as their 'budget' range. The problem that you describe is
very common on all variations of deck that Aiwa used in these twin deck
all-in-ones and it is always caused by the belts not having enough grip to
turn the cam gear over, after the solenoid has allowed it to engage with the
drive gear on the front of the capstan flywheel. I actually used to stock my
belts from Aiwa (latterly Sony) direct, as the decks were more critical than
most of having the correct ones. You also have to be very careful with them
to select two belts for the two different lengths, that are exactly the same
cross sectional size. Even a small difference such as 1mm on one, and 1.2 mm
on the other, is enough to produce an un-resolvable speed difference
between the two decks.

Arfa

 

Hi,

The problem is not a belt slip issue in my model. I already said that
replacing the belts did not cure the problem, which included cleaning
the belt drive pulley at the motor, etc.

With a side panel removed, when this problem occurs, I place my
finger on the large pully/gear drive and rotate it in order to get
the stop mechanism to complete it's action. The amount of force I
need to apply is significant.

Since both sides have this same issue, I have to conclude this is
a faulty designed mechanism which is prone to have this problem
after the warranty runs out. This is when my problem started.

John


On Fri, 9 Dec 2011 16:18:50 -0800 (PST), in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

On Dec 7, 1:59 pm, jaugust...@verizon.net wrote:
Hi,
      I am a service technician for many years.  This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo is
my own.

      From time to time, I can not eject a cassette.  Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue.  I replaced the belts, but that did not solve this
problem.

      More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end.  A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates (click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage).  It remains
up in the cassette.

This is almost certainly the belts still. You probably need some which
are a bit shorter or a bit thicker.
Did you clean the motor pulley and capstan flywheel surfaces with
alcohol before fitting the new ones? This is essential to remove old
deposits and grease which cause slippage under load.

It could also be that the cam and its follower arm /associated
sliders, racks etc. have old grease on which has hardened and is
causing things to bind. Only cure is a full strip down, clean, and
regrease. However, this is not likely in a cassette deck like this.

In particular problem cases, I have found that roughening up the
plastic on the grooves where the belts go helps give it that bit more
grip.

HTH
regards
B.

 

[Arfa Daily]

<jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:6aiee71h0b6v6hm7aia3f03vb8m0jkpqrp@4ax.com...

Hi,

The problem is not a belt slip issue in my model. I already said that
replacing the belts did not cure the problem, which included cleaning
the belt drive pulley at the motor, etc.

With a side panel removed, when this problem occurs, I place my
finger on the large pully/gear drive and rotate it in order to get
the stop mechanism to complete it's action. The amount of force I
need to apply is significant.

Since both sides have this same issue, I have to conclude this is
a faulty designed mechanism which is prone to have this problem
after the warranty runs out. This is when my problem started.

John


On Fri, 9 Dec 2011 16:18:50 -0800 (PST), in sci.electronics.repair you
wrote:

On Dec 7, 1:59 pm, jaugust...@verizon.net wrote:
Hi,
I am a service technician for many years. This Aiwa Z-L500 stereo
is
my own.

From time to time, I can not eject a cassette. Both units (dual
cassette) have this issue. I replaced the belts, but that did not solve
this
problem.

More often this occurs when you use FF or RW and the tape
reaches the end. A solenoid (part of auto stop system) activates
(click,
click, click), but the head assembly does not go down (disengage). It
remains
up in the cassette.

This is almost certainly the belts still. You probably need some which
are a bit shorter or a bit thicker.
Did you clean the motor pulley and capstan flywheel surfaces with
alcohol before fitting the new ones? This is essential to remove old
deposits and grease which cause slippage under load.

It could also be that the cam and its follower arm /associated
sliders, racks etc. have old grease on which has hardened and is
causing things to bind. Only cure is a full strip down, clean, and
regrease. However, this is not likely in a cassette deck like this.

In particular problem cases, I have found that roughening up the
plastic on the grooves where the belts go helps give it that bit more
grip.

HTH
regards
B.

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess torque of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing, and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups. It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

Arfa

 

Hi Arfa,

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:57 -0000, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

<SNIP>

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess torque of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing, and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups. It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

I have been in the service field longer than you, and I have serviced

many different brands of cassette decks over the years. I own other brands of
cassette units (dual decks, etc.) and I don't have problems with them after
years of use. Note: In the past, I have seen problems with Sony cassette
units too. There is such a thing as "normal" problems after years of use,
but my Aiwa does not have a "normal" problem after a year of use. I didn't
use the cassette units "hard". Note: This model is several years old and
I have been using another eternal cassette deck instead.

My original post was to find out if anyone knew if an improved
cassette deck was made for this model.

John

 

[Mark Zacharias]

<jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:aelme791pjfjbgelbnk1tpp9oncbcs96uc@4ax.com...

Hi Arfa,

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:57 -0000, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

SNIP

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of
Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little
then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight
enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess torque
of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the
end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing, and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups.
It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

I have been in the service field longer than you, and I have serviced
many different brands of cassette decks over the years. I own other
brands of
cassette units (dual decks, etc.) and I don't have problems with them
after
years of use. Note: In the past, I have seen problems with Sony cassette
units too. There is such a thing as "normal" problems after years of
use,
but my Aiwa does not have a "normal" problem after a year of use. I
didn't
use the cassette units "hard". Note: This model is several years old and
I have been using another eternal cassette deck instead.

My original post was to find out if anyone knew if an improved
cassette deck was made for this model.

John

There would not be any improved deck to replace yours. Geoff is probably
correct. If you did not use original Aiwa belts, that is probably your
problem. The Aiwa's are simply more critical for this than you might think.

Mark Z.

 

[Arfa Daily]

<jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:aelme791pjfjbgelbnk1tpp9oncbcs96uc@4ax.com...

Hi Arfa,

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:57 -0000, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

SNIP

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of
Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little
then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight
enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess torque
of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the
end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing, and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups.
It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

I have been in the service field longer than you, and I have serviced
many different brands of cassette decks over the years. I own other
brands of
cassette units (dual decks, etc.) and I don't have problems with them
after
years of use. Note: In the past, I have seen problems with Sony cassette
units too. There is such a thing as "normal" problems after years of
use,
but my Aiwa does not have a "normal" problem after a year of use. I
didn't
use the cassette units "hard". Note: This model is several years old and
I have been using another eternal cassette deck instead.

My original post was to find out if anyone knew if an improved
cassette deck was made for this model.

John

And how, pray, do you think you know how long I've been in the business, and
what my experience level is ? I have probably seen and repaired more models
of Aiwa than you even knew existed. The several different decks fitted to
Aiwa units - which for some time now have been Sony anyway - are not
generally unreliable, and have not undergone any improvements in their
design that I am aware of, because they have not needed it. The one problem
that all varieties that they fit suffer from, is belts, and the symptoms, as
anyone familiar with them will tell you, are exactly as you described in
your original post. That is the only 'normal' problem that I have ever seen
them suffer from. You suggested that both decks did the same thing, but
otherwise ran ok. As the two decks are effectively completely separate
entities except for sharing a common motor, don't you think that it would be
extremely unlikely that both had suffered from the same problem at the same
time, if it was some kind of mechanical problem within the deck ? About the
only other thing that I can see that it could be, is either a bad motor or
low supply to the motor, either of which might result in poor torque when it
was needed to turn over the cam gear, and would be easily diagnosed by
someone with your apparent experience and understanding of these decks. Did
you ever check, to answer my previous question about whether the motor is
stalled or running when the cam gear has stopped ? If you don't follow the
correct diagnostic procedures, you will never get to the bottom of the
problem. But then I expect you know that, being a service technician for
many years ...

Arfa

 

[hifi-tek]

"Arfa Daily" <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:mFTGq.226907$th7.12971@newsfe07.ams2...

jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:aelme791pjfjbgelbnk1tpp9oncbcs96uc@4ax.com...
Hi Arfa,

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:57 -0000, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

SNIP

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of
Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little
then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck
grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight
enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess torque
of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the
end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing,
and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it
truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups.
It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

I have been in the service field longer than you, and I have serviced
many different brands of cassette decks over the years. I own other
brands of
cassette units (dual decks, etc.) and I don't have problems with them
after
years of use. Note: In the past, I have seen problems with Sony
cassette
units too. There is such a thing as "normal" problems after years of
use,
but my Aiwa does not have a "normal" problem after a year of use. I
didn't
use the cassette units "hard". Note: This model is several years old and
I have been using another eternal cassette deck instead.

My original post was to find out if anyone knew if an improved
cassette deck was made for this model.

John



And how, pray, do you think you know how long I've been in the business,
and what my experience level is ? I have probably seen and repaired more
models of Aiwa than you even knew existed. The several different decks
fitted to Aiwa units - which for some time now have been Sony anyway - are
not generally unreliable, and have not undergone any improvements in their
design that I am aware of, because they have not needed it. The one
problem that all varieties that they fit suffer from, is belts, and the
symptoms, as anyone familiar with them will tell you, are exactly as you
described in your original post. That is the only 'normal' problem that I
have ever seen them suffer from. You suggested that both decks did the
same thing, but otherwise ran ok. As the two decks are effectively
completely separate entities except for sharing a common motor, don't you
think that it would be extremely unlikely that both had suffered from the
same problem at the same time, if it was some kind of mechanical problem
within the deck ? About the only other thing that I can see that it could
be, is either a bad motor or low supply to the motor, either of which
might result in poor torque when it was needed to turn over the cam gear,
and would be easily diagnosed by someone with your apparent experience and
understanding of these decks. Did you ever check, to answer my previous
question about whether the motor is stalled or running when the cam gear
has stopped ? If you don't follow the correct diagnostic procedures, you
will never get to the bottom of the problem. But then I expect you know
that, being a service technician for many years ...

Arfa

I agree with you. My experience with AIWA multi-disc carousel players has
shown that the belts used in the drawer drive/disc load mech are very
critical in their specs. Using AIWA belts is the best bet, and making sure
all the sticky grease has been cleaned out and replaced with new. Is AIWA
currently producing audio equipment? Haven't seen many ads for them lately.
Tom
>

 

[Arfa Daily]

"hifi-tek" <t.hoehler@insightbb.com> wrote in message
newsP6dndAzH_Fte3HTnZ2dnUVZ_rGdnZ2d@insightbb.com...

"Arfa Daily" <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:mFTGq.226907$th7.12971@newsfe07.ams2...


jaugustine@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:aelme791pjfjbgelbnk1tpp9oncbcs96uc@4ax.com...
Hi Arfa,

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:57 -0000, in sci.electronics.repair you wrote:

SNIP

Ah. OK. Well I guess my considerable experience in seeing all models of
Aiwa
for the last 15 years or more, and never having seen a tape deck problem
that I would consider to be down to poor design, must count for little
then.
For what it's worth, I would actually say that the Aiwa twin decks are
amongst the more reliable and better designed 'budget' ones. Did you use
manufacturer's original belts for your replacements ? When the deck
grinds
to a halt, is the motor still running ? If the belts are really tight
enough
as you suggest you believe, then if the cam gear is needing excess
torque of
the level you are saying, I would expect this to stall the motor. At the
end
of the day, the deck is easily removed, and easily cycled mechanically
by
hand into any of its modes, if you properly understand its sequencing,
and
know the right times in the cycle to flick the solenoid lever. If it
truly
is jamming up, then the reason should be obvious to a skilled eye.

And if you wouldn't mind, please try to avoid top-posting in newsgroups.
It
is generally considered to be bad practice, and plays havoc with the
thread's timeline ...

I have been in the service field longer than you, and I have serviced
many different brands of cassette decks over the years. I own other
brands of
cassette units (dual decks, etc.) and I don't have problems with them
after
years of use. Note: In the past, I have seen problems with Sony
cassette
units too. There is such a thing as "normal" problems after years of
use,
but my Aiwa does not have a "normal" problem after a year of use. I
didn't
use the cassette units "hard". Note: This model is several years old
and
I have been using another eternal cassette deck instead.

My original post was to find out if anyone knew if an improved
cassette deck was made for this model.

John



And how, pray, do you think you know how long I've been in the business,
and what my experience level is ? I have probably seen and repaired more
models of Aiwa than you even knew existed. The several different decks
fitted to Aiwa units - which for some time now have been Sony anyway -
are not generally unreliable, and have not undergone any improvements in
their design that I am aware of, because they have not needed it. The one
problem that all varieties that they fit suffer from, is belts, and the
symptoms, as anyone familiar with them will tell you, are exactly as you
described in your original post. That is the only 'normal' problem that I
have ever seen them suffer from. You suggested that both decks did the
same thing, but otherwise ran ok. As the two decks are effectively
completely separate entities except for sharing a common motor, don't you
think that it would be extremely unlikely that both had suffered from the
same problem at the same time, if it was some kind of mechanical problem
within the deck ? About the only other thing that I can see that it could
be, is either a bad motor or low supply to the motor, either of which
might result in poor torque when it was needed to turn over the cam gear,
and would be easily diagnosed by someone with your apparent experience
and understanding of these decks. Did you ever check, to answer my
previous question about whether the motor is stalled or running when the
cam gear has stopped ? If you don't follow the correct diagnostic
procedures, you will never get to the bottom of the problem. But then I
expect you know that, being a service technician for many years ...

Arfa

I agree with you. My experience with AIWA multi-disc carousel players has
shown that the belts used in the drawer drive/disc load mech are very
critical in their specs. Using AIWA belts is the best bet, and making sure
all the sticky grease has been cleaned out and replaced with new. Is AIWA
currently producing audio equipment? Haven't seen many ads for them
lately.
Tom

Yes, stuff is still produced under the Aiwa brand name, but that name has
been owned by Sony for some time now. However, that may be changing. If you
try to look up anything to do with the Aiwa brand name, you just get led
back to a Sony site that tells you that the Aiwa site has closed down ...

The OP's original question of course referred to the tape decks fitted to
these Aiwa all-in-ones, and I made the point that the belt sizes that are
used for replacement on them, are somewhat more critical than on other makes
of deck. However, I'm also with you on the belts fitted to the carousel CD
mechs - both the 3-changers, and the 5 changers - in that these are also
extremely critical. The one that drives the worm gear for carousel rotation
is particularly so, and I never found a suitable third party replacement
that would work correctly on them, so always stocked a genuine Aiwa
replacement.

Arfa