• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Garrard DD 450 or AKAI AP-206C..?

C

CJ Branda

New Member
Hi there,

Quick vintage turntable question: Garrard DD 450 or AKAI AP-206C..?

I have found both turntables reasonably priced and in good working order. Which would you go for given the choice? :music:

Cheers,

CJ.
 
Register to hide this ad
...photos

Garrard450.jpg


or

Akai.jpg
 
Tough to say, never had the Garrard before but I have owned the black version of the Akai AP-206C. The Akai was a very nice table. I would go with the Akai just because I prefer having my 33/45 pitch control separately and the layout of the Akai. But, I am sure either one of them are very good. I am just more familiar with the Akai. Between the two I would go for the one with the better cartridge and/or price.
 
The Akai is technically a better deck. Those Garrard DD decks had a lot of issues when new, the end of the line for the real Garrard until Loricraft bought the name.
 
The owners manual for the Akai AP-206C is available for free download over at the Vinylengine library.:music:

Plus we know the short cut for setting up the cartridge for the Akai AP-206C.:D
 
i also have the akai ap 206c...its a great little turntable..nice ergonomics.

keep the akai pc100 cartridge..its as good as any of the current budget cartridges available..and its tri-pole induced magnet design probably beats the majority of them on channel separation figures alone..(with the caveat mentioned below)

In addition to the overhang method above..if you stick with the akai cartridge i also would suggest you try aligning the cartridge to the baerwald null points for a tonearm mounting distance of 205 mm...it really does make a difference when it is spot on as the pc-100's cantilever design is a bit more critical of accurate set up than most other budget cartridges i've tinkered with..

http://www.vinylengine.com/tonearm_alignment_calculator.php?l=m&mv=205&ev=&i=i&c1=&o=i&c2=&cal=1&submit=calculate

the akai does benefit from isolation from external vibrations...a wall shelf or some sobothane racquetballs cut in half and used as feet would help..

an older related thread here.. :
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=210197
 
Last edited:
I also love this series of Akai's. Not as well known as many others, but is one of my best turntables.
 
Balifly said:
The cartridge overhang adjustment is on page 5 of the owner's manual.:D
Click to expand...

Ah, yes. I had forgoten about that. Funny, I was just looking for the overhang the other day and was stumped when I found 15mm, but it's 15mm from the spindle and there is a groove in the mat to use for a guide. How ingenius of the engineers at Akai. I was thinking that the overall headshell overhang was 49mm, same as my Pioneer. Well now I guess that I can check it sometime.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom