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AKAI Lovers and Collectors...

My first receiver was a 1977 AA -1050 that I bought new for $249 (lost it unfairly during a divorce in '88). I missed that tank of a receiver so much that I recently started to piece together a Akai based vintage system for my 11' x 13' office. This system will be anchored on a near mint, and still great sounding, AA -1125 that I got on *bay (looks similar to the 1050). I did find a few AA -1050s on *bay (one was mint w/the original manual), but I just don't have the need for 50 watts per in such a small space. So, the AA -1125 got the nod.
 
Hello Clarity.
I have a very large Akai collection also, including the entire M930 (you call it clarity gx) system still mint in its box, plus three pairs of matching AE93 speakers.
There's a good story to those AE93s, Akai had the systems (500 only made) but had to have the speaker cabinets made out of house and several protypes were made by a well known Australian speaker manufacturer, using the carbon fibre/titanium drivers supplied from Japan, but the prototypes were physically too big according to Akai. I have those two prototype pairs (i bought them from Akai's Head Office in Australia at the time) and they are about 19kg each and built like you wouldn't believe. Sadly their cabinets are a bit rough from being shipped around to and from Akai, but they sound way better than the subsequent smaller pair I obtained direct from Akai when they had just a few left.
The crossovers are all hand built and bypassed with high quality films etc.
You also have the CD player with DACs in it, whereas I have the ultra rare transport only with a different front panel layout and different mech. Still matches.
Also in my collection are:
GXR55
HXR44
AMA1,2,3
AMU1,3,5,7
CDD1 x2 (their very first CD player OEMd by Kyocera using TDA1540 DAC and vertical loading)
CDA7
Stacks of tuners
Many may other akai pieces too numerous to recall all in my storeroom.

Oh and a big GX-625 10.5" open reel.

I'll take a few pics of the boxes next time I go to the storeroom.
 
I managed to find an Akai 1710w tube type reel to reel player as well as an akai CS-34D tape deck. All for great prices.
 
There's something different about your AE93 speaker drivers too. My midranges look larger if I remember correctly. Have you pulled the drivers and looked at the part numbers on the drivers themselves? I'd love to compare the detail. I'll get a speaker and photograph the drivers inside and out.
 
It's always refreshing to see someone who invests the time and care necessary to keep vintage equipment like yours up and running. very nice collection thanks for sharing!
 
I love Akai. I had always known them as a sampler and drum machine company. Their MPC series is a staple in hip hop production. I learned from being on here that they also made audio equipment.

Found a deal on craigslist for an AA-1125 receiver, with a Technics SL-3300 turntable for $50. Jumped on it and it is my main system to this day. I think it sounds great and looks cool to boot ! Gets pretty loud too. I live in an apt so there's only so loud I can crank so it's great for my needs. I no longer have them hooked up to the Minimus 7's in the pic, they are hooked up to some big vintage Radio Craftsmen speakers I got from my wife's uncle.

Here's the only pics I have, sorry not the best. took them while the room was under construction. Want to take more but need to be home during the day to get that nice light haha:

image_zpsfd3bd90a.jpeg


image1_zps3fc970e7.jpeg
 
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Hey Rene,
I was thinking the mdrange drivers on your M930 system (the AE93) speakers look different to mine. Mine are larger, carbon fibre with a titanium cap (like the titantium dome tweeter) and same carbon fibre that matches the bass driver.
I found a picture on the internet. My speakers are also physically taller, the smaller pair of AE93s sit about 8mm lower than the top edge of the rosewood panels on the turntable. Yours seem much lower and have a smaller cone midrange. I think we should compare the internals- what do you think? I'm going to dismantle a pair on the weekend.
 
Ok, I think I've worked it out- yours are the AE712?- the midrange is smaller, the tweeter is plastic and the woofer is completely different to the AE93 woofer.
On the AE93, the woofer has multiple ribs from the magnet to the rim- all cast- yours has 4 and still cast. The cone material is woven carbon fibre.
The midrange is different with wven carbon fibre, bigger and with the titantium cap
The tweeter is cast alloy, big magnet and a titantium dome.
 
I have 4 Akai pieces. Two minor being a Akai EA-G90 graphic equalizer and a Akai AP-270 Automatic Turntable Direct Drive. I have had both for years and work well.

I have two major items recently found at thrift shops and being the only item every gotten at these two shops after years visiting off and on. This is an example of persistence finally paying off!

The first is an Akai GX-280D-SS quadraphonic four channel Reel to Reel. It works but has issues. It will not run at a slow enough 3.75ips and only runs in reverse when TR 111 is in and runs at 7.5ips when TR 111 is out with a newly installed switch to control. It was fun to get it going this much and worth the $10 I paid.

The second is an Akai AA-1200 AM/FM Receiver 120 w/ch. It works great with a minor scratch on the dial and a knob. I had to wire up the AM antenna. I love the great fly wheel tuning knob but the plastic covered wood case is a downgrade from Pioneer or Sansui's best. I thought the use of two power transformers was unique. It was only $28.26 in Sept 2013, a bargain indeed.

I like Akai and think it compares to JVC and Teac.

Charlie
 
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Through the 80s, Akai was producing the best looking gear. Many other brands were still stuck in the 60s and 70s with boxes covered in knobs and Akai streamlined and beautified hifi. The displays were miles ahead of anyone else.
 
Akai Surplus

restorer-john said:
Hello Clarity.
I have a very large Akai collection also, including the entire M930 (you call it clarity gx) system still mint in its box, plus three pairs of matching AE93 speakers.
There's a good story to those AE93s, Akai had the systems (500 only made) but had to have the speaker cabinets made out of house and several protypes were made by a well known Australian speaker manufacturer, using the carbon fibre/titanium drivers supplied from Japan, but the prototypes were physically too big according to Akai. I have those two prototype pairs (i bought them from Akai's Head Office in Australia at the time) and they are about 19kg each and built like you wouldn't believe. Sadly their cabinets are a bit rough from being shipped around to and from Akai, but they sound way better than the subsequent smaller pair I obtained direct from Akai when they had just a few left.
The crossovers are all hand built and bypassed with high quality films etc.
You also have the CD player with DACs in it, whereas I have the ultra rare transport only with a different front panel layout and different mech. Still matches.
Also in my collection are:
GXR55
HXR44
AMA1,2,3
AMU1,3,5,7
CDD1 x2 (their very first CD player OEMd by Kyocera using TDA1540 DAC and vertical loading)
CDA7
Stacks of tuners
Many may other akai pieces too numerous to recall all in my storeroom.

Oh and a big GX-625 10.5" open reel.

I'll take a few pics of the boxes next time I go to the storeroom.
Click to expand...


Hi

I was wondering if you possibly have an Akai PA-W06 or PA-W09 power amp, working or not.

I have the PA-W04, 48 WATTS RMS, with a full system, new in 1980, all silver of course. Had to repair the pulse power supply, failed trigger diode and a transistor, and clean the speaker relays, but everything else is original and works great.
The sound is WAY better than my newer stuff. Like to get a bit more power and keep the vintage look. I thought about replacing the STK's with higher wattage ones, but might be not feasible.

Thanks very much.
 
Hello Akai people! I recently picked up an AP-B20 turntable for cheap. It's actually not a bad little table- came with a Shure M912ED and it sounds pretty good.

Trouble is, the hinges are completely shot. Would any of you Akai lovers happen to have an extra set of these sitting around??
 
I presently have 2 akai one 1800sd and x-2000sd both need some work but no one capable of working on one in this area
 
With all of you Akai collectors making yourselves known, perhaps one of you can help.

I remember as a kid that my older brother brought some stereo gear back from overseas in the late 60's, early 70's.

The one piece that is still etched in my mind was an Akai cassette deck. It was HUGE. It was special in that it would play both sides automatically. The cassette was on top, dead center. There was an arm that lifted the cassette, flipped it over, put it back and started playing the other side.

I would love to find some info on this, maybe somebody here can shed a little light.

Thanx
 
ClarityGX...that is an amazing collection. You are also clearly unafraid to get right into the heart of your equipment!

I too appreciate Akai. I have only one piece, an Akai AA 1200 receiver. I bought it new about 35 years ago. It will drive just about anything and has seen some rigorous use.

It still works perfectly and remains my go to power source when I want to just sit back and listen. I have other power sources (Sony, Sherwood, RS and others) but they all somehow sound thin compared to the Akai.
 
wmgwizard said:
With all of you Akai collectors making yourselves known, perhaps one of you can help.

I remember as a kid that my older brother brought some stereo gear back from overseas in the late 60's, early 70's.

The one piece that is still etched in my mind was an Akai cassette deck. It was HUGE. It was special in that it would play both sides automatically. The cassette was on top, dead center. There was an arm that lifted the cassette, flipped it over, put it back and started playing the other side.

I would love to find some info on this, maybe somebody here can shed a little light.

Thanx
Click to expand...

I used to have one like you described, but it was made by and branded as Nakamichi....wonder if Akai unit was made by them as well....??
 
Akai gxc-65d

wmgwizard said:
With all of you Akai collectors making yourselves known, perhaps one of you can help.

I remember as a kid that my older brother brought some stereo gear back from overseas in the late 60's, early 70's.

The one piece that is still etched in my mind was an Akai cassette deck. It was HUGE. It was special in that it would play both sides automatically. The cassette was on top, dead center. There was an arm that lifted the cassette, flipped it over, put it back and started playing the other side.

I would love to find some info on this, maybe somebody here can shed a little light.

Thanx
Click to expand...

This one ? AKAI GXC-65D

AKAI%2520GXC-65D.JPG
 
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