Which deck ???
- Thread starter Camtwo69
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eddisc
Super Member
krowmagnum
Compulsive speaker freak
I'm partial to Pioneer but the Akai looks like a better deck.
Camtwo69
Active Member
eddisc
Super Member
Eddisc if I only had your money I would take both
you DON'T want to be THIS broke - trust me
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Get the Pioneer if in good condition.
R-2-R
Super Member
Just my opinion here but choosing between the two, well this all 'depends' on exactly what shape, condition, etc. both reel decks are in?
First check the heads, see if they still have plenty of life in them?
(if the heads are bad, forget)
Everything working on either one, all switches, knobs, lights, etc.?
How are each cosmetically? In good shape?
Last....even though you say they are the same price, still are each reasonably price'd?
If both basically check out the same then I'd go with the Pioneer RT-909 hands down. Fine reel to reel when in top shape, easy to work on if necessary, plenty of original parts still available and plenty of info on trouble-shooting problems, etc. here on AK and Service/Owners manuals available as well.
Good luck on your decision.
First check the heads, see if they still have plenty of life in them?
(if the heads are bad, forget)
Everything working on either one, all switches, knobs, lights, etc.?
How are each cosmetically? In good shape?
Last....even though you say they are the same price, still are each reasonably price'd?
If both basically check out the same then I'd go with the Pioneer RT-909 hands down. Fine reel to reel when in top shape, easy to work on if necessary, plenty of original parts still available and plenty of info on trouble-shooting problems, etc. here on AK and Service/Owners manuals available as well.
Good luck on your decision.
1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
The heads on the Akai are likely to be in good condition - no wear on GX heads - but I'd pick the Pioneer if it's in good shape. Too many potential problems with the Akai (noisy transistors, bad relays, tension arm problems). The Pio is a much safer bet.
EDIT: Oops, no tension arms on a 646...heluva deck...I still think I'd pick the 909.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
EDIT: Oops, no tension arms on a 646...heluva deck...I still think I'd pick the 909.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
R-2-R
Super Member
Fair?.....like I previously mentioned, are each in tip top working shape? Do heads checkout OK?
Do any of them come with anything else? Do any metal or original metal reels come with it? Reels with tape? How about original nab hub adapters? Does it come with any cable's?
Don't know about you but to me $650 is a lot for a Pioneer RT-909. I can see paying that much if you know for a fact that it has been totally refurbished, restored in prestine quality condition, new caps, wiring, etc. but if not then the most that I would pay would be $400-$500, again this is just my opinion others may vary.
It's all going to come down to how bad you want it?
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iplagolf
Well-Known Member
Depends on what they can prove they've done to make them this price. Re-capped, re-calibrated, cleaned and all the old grease replaced. If all this and more has been done, yes it's worth it. I'm a member of TapeHeads.net there are several outstanding tech's on line that you can ask questions of and many more members with great knowledge of RTR's.
Just a consideration...GX heads do stand up to tape, regarding surface wear, but they can tend to crumble a bit on the edges of the gap (head material is harder, but more brittle). Crumbling is not always the case, but GX heads are subject to a wear of their own.
I am partial to the 909, because I have been into and restored many. They lend themselves well to restoration, and have an elegantly simple transport mechanism. You can get brand new heads, if needed.
You do want to restore whichever deck you get. As for the 909, you will likely need new pinch rollers and capstan belt. These are old enough to have the transport lube turn to wax, so a good clean and lube would likely be in order. Lube the capstan and reel motors with some TFE-bearing oil, like Tri-Flow, and lube the capstans with a quality sewing-machine oil. The tension roller switches may be dirty, and need replacement, and the dampers may need to have fresh damping fluid installed.
This may sound off-putting, but the Akai will have it's own things to deal with. I just don't have the experience with them to specify. That is just the way it is with old precision audio gear, with mechanical involvement.
Enjoy,
Rich P
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Rich P is also right. I see a lot of Akai heads with that issue. And many with frequency response issues. And no playback EQ either to compensate internally. The RT 909 in top order is a superior machine, the 7" only RT 701/707 even better mechanically.
R-2-R
Super Member
What the master himself says is all true....but to really consider replacing the heads, well the cost alone to replace, re-calibrate the head system would, I think, be a bit more or far exceed the original cost of the entire RT-909 itself...or "any reel to reel" for that matter?
It would take someone with considerable knowledge and the right equipment to have this done and that's not to consider the time to actually install each of the heads? This is something to really take into consideration?
Then again, if the buyer has this knowledge and the equipment to perform the task and has access to new or good used heads or knows the process of 're-lapping heads' then the cost would be far less?
Considering that a raw RT-909 is selling for in excess of $650, and a fully restored one is worth in excess of $1200, the investment in new heads and the associated calibration would be worth it. It is not a DIY operation, since the calibration of a tape deck requires specialized equipment, knowledge, and a bit of artistic "feel" (not unlike calibrating an FM stereo tuner).
Contrary to popular opinion, relapping is also not a DIY operation. It is more than just grinding the groove edges off. It is also creating a specific face profile, for optimal tape to head contact. You also have to be able to measure very low inductances, to determine if a head is a good candidate for relapping. See the following link: http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html?JRF_mainframe=/JRF_relapping.html
For new heads, or head reconditioning, I have had great service and results from: http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/
If head wear is light, the deck can be used as is, unless the heads have been moved in any way. If the heads have been moved at all, the edges of the wear groove will cut into any tape that is played thereafter. They will have to be replaced or relapped. You just cannot realign a wear groove adequately. As for reinstalling heads, and mechanically aligning them, JRF offers a service, where you send them your complete head block, and they relap/replace and perform a precision laser head alignment. All that should then be required is a rec/play calibration (still not a DIY operation).
Enjoy,
Rich P
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Camtwo69
Active Member
Thanks for all the responses . I spoke with the gentleman with the Pioneer R2R
and he was very straight forward and honest with my questions . Unlike myself He has
been into R2R for a long time .He is 2 hours away from me we are going to get together on Saturday and he going to fully demo the machine , I cant wait .
and he was very straight forward and honest with my questions . Unlike myself He has
been into R2R for a long time .He is 2 hours away from me we are going to get together on Saturday and he going to fully demo the machine , I cant wait .
BANDWIDTH
Well-Known Member
The RT-909/901 series is one of the best consumer machines out there. The virtues of this machine have been sung to death here and at TH. Can't go wrong with either of them (909 much more prevalent, however, and the reverse playback is convenient)! Hands-down a better choice between it and the Akai - IMO. Good luck w/the demo - let us know how it turns out!
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Enjoy it to the fullest. I liked the Pioneer machines and still do.
