MATRIXSYNTH: KAWAI SX 210 Analog Polyphonic Synth


Monday, April 30, 2018

KAWAI SX 210 Analog Polyphonic Synth

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"Kawai SX 210 8 voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer Made in Japan

Patch tape cassettes and mint instructions included! (see photos)

Also included are factory instructions containing the full parameter settings for all patches on the cassettes and a blank template for jotting down your own patch settings. (see photos)

This beauty is 100% functional and ready to rock. Recent servicing includes:

1. Replacement of original! NiCad internal battery with a new Varta Nickel Metal Hydride
battery. The original was still working and had never leaked! (See photos)

2. Replacement of all 4 RIFA line filtering safety capacitors with their much safer modern equivalents. (see photos) The old RIFA caps are a known fire and safety hazard.

3 Repaired and beefed up the two main lower PCB mounts. They are mounted on an incline and are prone to flexing during transport.

4. Removed and cleaned the lower PCBs.

All LEDs and tact switches work well.

All other knobs, switches, dials, and faders work well.

All keys work well, sit correctly in the keybed, and function properly.

The only blemishes on the unit are a few minor scratches on the faux end cheeks and a couple of superficial scratches on the display as well as a tiny scratch on the "210"
written on the top of the unit. Also some scuffing where the cord wraps up on the back of the unit. That's it!

The tape interface is working correctly, as I had to load factory patches back into the machine after the removal of the original battery.(was kinda fun!)

The SX 210 is built like and a tank and has through hole mounting throughout making it far easier to service than most modern analog offerings. An improved(by the original designer) SSM2044 filter chip is now being manufactured meaning affordable replacements are once again available should the need arise. There's even a guy on ebay right now who has a repair kit that has various chips and other goodies for the SYN-42 board!"

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