Cassette player was just too finicky to fix and maintain. I would prefer the same device, but with SD-card recorder. But then alas, there is nothing to listen on SW-bands anymore.
BTW. I have now modified my Sony, the cassette player is totally removed, but in the cassette bay there is a loose wire with 3 mm plug, which has suitable dampening so that it acts like cellphone headset microphone input. I can now record programs with my cellphone.