fiream773
These go to "11"...
Hello, AKers & welcome to my 1st thread here. I found AK by googling info on my R2R and decided to sign up. Not at all new to audio gear or open reels - I used to work in radio then jumped into broadcast production so made my living on Otari MX-5050 2-tracks for years back in the day...
Fast Forward 15 years >> Around 2000, my best friend called me with news that a co-worker who was retiring & moving south had a garage full of vintage audio stuff he was looking to get rid of - FREE. He wasn't moving it and if it wasn't gone when he was ready to head south it was going in the dumpster. We hot-footed it over there and cleaned out that garage - took about everything but his car. From that haul most equipment has been long-since traded, sold or discarded. What remains is this Akai GX-266D:
Fast Forward 13 years >> I have spent the past two years setting up my dream systems now that I finally have my own man-cave. I have a commercial audio/video editing PC (Ion Studio) connected to a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 firewire I/O interface that converts analog signals from a vintage Technics SU-9070 flat preamp. I have my SL-1015 b'cast TT, Tascam 112R cassette & a Pioneer PD-M630 cd changer connected and am planning on going through my Teac 8-track recorder and the Akai R2R and integrating them into this system so I may record to & from any format - analog or digital.
I'm seeking opinions from you seasoned R2R guys & gals on the Akai deck. From what I've read, it's a good (not great) unit but the glass heads are a weak point. I have hooked it up and tried to play it to no avail. The motor does turn, but I cannot get it to rewind or FF. It does try to play in the forward direction, but the take up reel won't run and the brake keeps me from manually spinning it. Likewise, the RH reel does try to turn counter-clockwise in FF mode, but it stresses the tape as it can't overcome the resistance of the supply reel (can't tell if the brake is on or the motor is supplying too much resistance). I'm willing to pop the case open for a home clean & lube, but I've never been inside one of these things and may do more harm that good...
Given that mine was a freebie that didn't likely enjoy a pampered life, my concern is cost vs. performance. Free things can easily become much more expensive than things bought from a trusted source. I've followed a couple of links from AK (reeltoreelguys.com was one) and had a bit of sticker shock at the cost to refurbish. I have a decent local stereo fix-it shop who could probably get it going for under $200, but he's not the type who knows the shortcomings specific to Akai decks nor will he be one to use caps, etc., that enhance fidelity. Likewise, if there is an AK member within traveling distance willing to look at it (fee or free), I'm willing to travel and/or barter.
Went longer than I intended - thanks for reading. If I can get this thing running, I'd love to participate in the AK tape swap - looks awesome!
Fast Forward 15 years >> Around 2000, my best friend called me with news that a co-worker who was retiring & moving south had a garage full of vintage audio stuff he was looking to get rid of - FREE. He wasn't moving it and if it wasn't gone when he was ready to head south it was going in the dumpster. We hot-footed it over there and cleaned out that garage - took about everything but his car. From that haul most equipment has been long-since traded, sold or discarded. What remains is this Akai GX-266D:
Fast Forward 13 years >> I have spent the past two years setting up my dream systems now that I finally have my own man-cave. I have a commercial audio/video editing PC (Ion Studio) connected to a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 firewire I/O interface that converts analog signals from a vintage Technics SU-9070 flat preamp. I have my SL-1015 b'cast TT, Tascam 112R cassette & a Pioneer PD-M630 cd changer connected and am planning on going through my Teac 8-track recorder and the Akai R2R and integrating them into this system so I may record to & from any format - analog or digital.
I'm seeking opinions from you seasoned R2R guys & gals on the Akai deck. From what I've read, it's a good (not great) unit but the glass heads are a weak point. I have hooked it up and tried to play it to no avail. The motor does turn, but I cannot get it to rewind or FF. It does try to play in the forward direction, but the take up reel won't run and the brake keeps me from manually spinning it. Likewise, the RH reel does try to turn counter-clockwise in FF mode, but it stresses the tape as it can't overcome the resistance of the supply reel (can't tell if the brake is on or the motor is supplying too much resistance). I'm willing to pop the case open for a home clean & lube, but I've never been inside one of these things and may do more harm that good...
Given that mine was a freebie that didn't likely enjoy a pampered life, my concern is cost vs. performance. Free things can easily become much more expensive than things bought from a trusted source. I've followed a couple of links from AK (reeltoreelguys.com was one) and had a bit of sticker shock at the cost to refurbish. I have a decent local stereo fix-it shop who could probably get it going for under $200, but he's not the type who knows the shortcomings specific to Akai decks nor will he be one to use caps, etc., that enhance fidelity. Likewise, if there is an AK member within traveling distance willing to look at it (fee or free), I'm willing to travel and/or barter.
Went longer than I intended - thanks for reading. If I can get this thing running, I'd love to participate in the AK tape swap - looks awesome!
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