Akai CS-703D

[Wolverine]

I have been looking for a nice silver-face tape deck to go with my Marantz 2245. Yesterday I came across a mint Akai CS-703D cassette deck. Nice silver face with meters and just the right size for the shelf below the Marantz.

I was under the impression that Akai made decent RtoR players but I am not sure how their cassette players are. Does anyone know where this deck fits in among the Akai line? My first impressions are favorable though I don't think this will outperform either of my Nak decks.

Sorry for the lack of photos but my regular computer/internet is down.

Any info/opininos would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[larryderouin]

http://www.vintagecassette.com/Akai/CS-703D

Middle of the lineup for 1977-79.

I've got 3 AKAI Cassette Decks. CS-M3, GXC710D and 730D. The GXC's have the Glass Ferrite Heads, the CS doesn't that I can tell. The most dependable, sturdy deck's I have, including the Pioneer's and TEAC's. Some of the features aren't intuitive unless you know what they are or have the owners manual (TOTL models). But you could say that of any brand.




Larry

 

[koltrast]

The CS models had permalloy heads and are lower down the scale than the GX models. It is a single motor / single capstan / 2 head deck.
Akai was one of the big names in cassette decks in the 70's, possibly produced more models than any other manufacturer.

 

[Wolverine]

Thanks everyone for the info.
I might have to keep my eyes open for a GXC model, though it might be hard to find one as in good condition as this one.

 

[jan_stevns]

...... Akai was one of the big names in cassette decks in the 70's, possibly produced more models than any other manufacturer.

I think Sony and Technics/Panasonic also made a lot of different decks in those years

(And then there where all those walkmen.............)

 

[Wolverine]

Added an Akai HX-1C to the collection today. Definite 80's build quality but functions and sounds pretty good. Figured for $2 I could not go wrong.......