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10.5 inch reel adaptors

reeltoreel68

reeltoreel68

Member
recently I saw a picture of an Akai reel to reel deck fitted with a set of adaptor pulleys that allows this 7"reel deck to handle 10.5" reels. it uses two belt driven pulllys that attach to the 7"hubs. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it. never seen one of these on any site for sale so they must be rare. the question is do they work?:music:
 
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I believe those adaptors were made specifically for that machine. Some Ampex portables had that option too, and IIRC the Ampex and Akai machines that were adaptable to 10.5" reels could also run at 15 ips tape speed.
 
these day it would be easier just to get another deck that can handle 10.5 inch reels. still would be cool to have and i know my X150 has plenty of torque to handle them
 
I have an XV portable in storage that has the reel adaptors to let it use 7 inch spools. Yes they do work, to a fashion, but play up a bit when winding/rewinding. I have a friend who has the adaptor that fits on the X200SD, thats a 3 motor Akai and that has problems with the braking. We tried the adaptor on a one motor Akai, an X1800 I think but the deck would stall when winding. Akai came in late with a 10.5 inch capable machine, the X300 I think, so the adaptors must have filled a gap in the line-up? Of interest is that both of the first 10.5 inch Akais, the X300 and the X330 were not capable of 15 ips! and I found no mention in the operators manuals of any adaptors ever being made.
 
The model nr is EA-10 for these adaptors, but only fit Akai 345, 355 and 355D
But it says in op manual, don't try operate these at 15 speed (fforward & Rewind)...
I agree, have a 355 with extensions mounted, it will vibrate the reels off at high speed, use 7-1/2 or 3-3/4 when spooling :)
 

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Yes they do, best is using 3-3/4 speed when the extensions are mounted.
I will make a video in the future at 15 speed on my 355, you will see a rocket launch in fforward Jan :)
 
Interesting rube goldberg looking contraption. Personally, I think the extenders are ugly. But I have a Akai X-330 so I may be biased ; )
 
P.S. The outrigger idea came from Magnecord on their early PT-6. A clunky system which helped Ampex gain the top spot in studio machines. Magnecord was still the most common machine in broadcasting use after that.
 
Ohhh, I loved the Magnecord I once had back in the 70s. All tube, huge, round heads that could be replaced without lots of fuss, three big Bodine motors. Weighed a ton as I dragged it around making demo tapes for bluegrass and gospel bands back then. I think is was a model 724, IIRC.

I sold it when I got a Crown tape deck to replace it.....thanks for reminding me of that old beast, Kent.

Cheers,

David
 
You know....it sure seems like I remember seeing an ad years ago for a set of those adaptors for a pioneer 707. I did not say anything here because I thought surely I must have imagined or dreamed that! Maybe I didn't!! :banana:
 
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