Akai GX-215: how good and real autoreverse ?

david winter

david winter

Classical music lover.
Hi,

I recently got this machine and would eventually keep it to play pre-recorded classical reels. I have a few questions though...

1) When I switch to the opposite direction, I hear the same tacks in reverse. Is this normal or should the head move to the other two tracks ?

2) Are there any known problems with this machine ? I restore old gear so that's just in case some of you know specific problems such as weaky transistors, improvements, etc.

3) Should I degauss the heads and transport guides ?


Thanks !
 
Register to hide this ad
1: are your tapes half track tapes ? Could explain that ...
2: can't remember if this deck also has those dodgy 2sc458 ... wouldn't be surprised at all
regarding the autoreverse on this deck - i'm not very fond of the way the tape runs on reverse - like the tape is pushed , and the tapeup has to be responsible for the tape to head contact.... It's bigger brother with center pinchroller is a way better deck (but suffers other issues - definitively having dodgy transisters, and a brass lever, that is prone to cause issues with the transport

3: degaussing heads and guides may bee a good idea from time to time ...

Otherwise - the GX-215 sounds well ! had one years ago .
 
The tapes are all 4 track tapes. What should I put instead of the 2SC458 if there're any, and once replaced, what settings should be checked and eventually adjusted ? I'm sure that putting other transistors will more or less affect voltages etc., especially the sound qualiy or improtant settings like the bias level and frequency.
 
I found the service manual on this great free site and there are a couple 458. The good news is that Akai already gave cross-references (see page 10) for the 458: 2SC963U (or F, P), 2SC1000 (BL, GR), and 2SC1312 (F or G).

Now, there are a number of sellers who offer these references by 10, 20 or even 100. They're either in China, Taiwan or HK. Are these fakes ? One shows a picture of a Toshiba box but for another reference in the 2SA. Should I use the 2240 or would the 2SC1000 be more than enough ? I have a source for 2SC1000 for $0.25 each + shipping.
 
Last edited:
Mouser sells the 2sc2240 for $.21 each up to 10. Then $.17ea over 10. I've used them in a GX365, GX4000D, and am in the middle of an overhaul of my GX-370D. I also installed them in my SANSUI 2000a receiver. In all of them so far the crackling, popping stopped and the noise floor became a virtual BLACK HOLE! I wouldn't buy anything from Taiwan, hong kong, china. 99% chance they are fakes.

Larry
 
The problem is that Mouser charges over $30 in shipping.
I checked RadioSpares (now being merged with RS). They have two offers for that transistor: one made by Magnatec and another called "offre japonaise" (japanese offer) made by Toshiba. There are two offers on eBay for Toshiba's:
- one sold from China also Toshiba (check *EDITED BY MODERATOR* available by 10, 20 and 50).
- one sold from Taiwan (check auction *EDITED BY MODERATOR*, also available by 20).

So which Toshiba's should I take ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
David, I just ordered the same part from Mouser. $30 seems like an awfull lot even for international shipping.
 
think you have to put a pretty big handfull of them in your basket to get free shipping.

.... just realized i'm outta stock of them, and still has a deck to cure - darned :tears:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom