Hi there,

Finally, after soooo much searching and waiting, I managed to get a super-ultra-mega-rare AIWA PX20. It's one of the most rare walkmans in my collection, if not the most one.

This is a model only released in Asia, and it's derived from the PX101. What's the main difference with the PX101? The head: it features an HX Head:

Here are both models:

Hope you enjoy them!

Congratulations Hugo!

I had a very, very, very, very, long search too before I found my PX20 too.

Does yours come with the extended battery clip too?

Thanks Plop!

I guesses you also got one for you, because you removed your signature. What's the condition of yours? Mine is pretty good, but with some scratches in the front door.

It needs new belts, but I still didn't take it to service. Does really the HX head makes a difference in sound? (I guess you already have yours serviced...)

BTW: I've just updated my PX101 review (in my website)  with the new format: audio measures, more images, etc...

Cosmetically my PX20 has been well used. Not all scratched up by a clumsy teenager, but by someone who has enjoyed many hours listening to it. Some of the black paint has chipped off the die cast metal head assembly at the edges like yours but moreso. Also the print on the tape control buttons have worn down somewhat, but they are still clearly there - another sign that it has been listened to extensively. Mine also came with all the original accessories such as ear buds, battery clips, etc.

Mechanically it appears that it was well maintained by the previous owner. There is some head wear, but the HX head still looks to be in very good condition. So one can conclude that they at least kept the heads clean to minimise head wear. The pinch rollers are still soft, dull and grip the tape well. Mine still has the original belt and that shows no sign of needing replacement yet.

The thread lock had long ago perished on my PX20 and so I had to re-align the azimuth and re-lock the screw on mine. I had the same problem on my PX10 as well.

Internally the PX10 and PX20 are the same unit, with only the playback head and the cases being the real differences. I think the HX head does make a bit of difference, but it is a marginal difference that you can only really discern when you directly compare it against the non-HX PX10/101. I think it is a nice improvement over the PX10. The pass through AA battery clip is a nice improvement also for the PX20. Coupled with the sealed lead acid battery you would have got an extended listening experience, or with a AA battery clip from a PX10/101 you can get double the playback time with 4 AA batteries.

Well, so it's similar to mine. Used, but carefully.

Do you think that is easy to replace the standard head of the PX101 with an Amorphous HX from other models?

I wonder why this model was only released in Asian markets?

Maybe I'd find one here someday...

I recall another S2G member asking the same question about cannibalising an amorphous HX head from a PX303 and using it in a PX101 a while ago. I don't honestly think that is possible, certainly not without some heavy modification to the mount points on the donor head to match those found on the PX10, as the two are from very different head assemblies.

I guess it was AIWA testing the water with their HX head design with personal stereo in their local market to see how well it would sell. The lack of a worldwide PX202 model would suggest not very well.

Unfortunately I am afraid you would have to look very hard to be in with a chance of trying to find one of these, in particular Japan. Not many of these were sold there judging by the lack of numbers of them turning up on the second hand market. Prices for them understandably are not low as a result, now that collectors have realised their extreme rareness.

Thanks Plop. Maybe an Amorphous HX can make a bigger difference than a 'simple' HX...