Which Reel to Reel?

[Mark Davis]

I have a opportunity for one of the following. Which one would you suggest I go for?

AKAI GX-4000D REEL TO REEL TAPE PLAYER
AKAI GX-260D REEL TO REEL TAPE PLAYER

 

[pdm4606]

4000 does it for me.
Don't know about the 260D

 

[audiojones]

The GX-260D is a much better deck but it’s probably going to need quite a bit of work by now and it’s pretty complicated inside due to the 3 motor auto-reverse transport. The GX-4000D is a great basic single motor starter deck that usually works right out of the starting gate without much fuss and might be more suitable for a first open reel deck if that’s what you are buying.

 

[Mark Davis]

Yes this would be my first venture into reel to reel. What kind of work would be required on the GX 260D?

I would much rather buy the better unit if possible.

 

[audiojones]

It most likely uses quite a few 2sc458 transistors which almost always fail and cause various problems in any circuit they're in. Even if the schematic calls out for a 2sc1312 transistor they almost always used 2sc458 which is a real troublemaker. The 2sc458 will usually test ok out of circuit but in real curcuit conditions they often fail in one way or the other, so considering the age of the GX-260D they should all be replaced (the newer ones used in the GX-4000D are less prone to failure but still do on occasion).

The GX-260D also uses a ton of relays and a bank of spark quencher cubes to protect the relay contacts from arcing. Some of the relay contacts will most likely need cleaning by now and some of the spark quenchers may be failing at this point causing lack of operation or slow down / stall out conditions in one direction or the other (another common failure point in this and many other auto reverse mechanisms).

Of course the usual old tape deck stuff, dried up grease in the mechanism, replace capstan and counter belt if needed, clean the controls etc. The GX-260D is a very nice machine but it can be a bit overwhelming to service if you’re not used to working on them, that’s why I’d suggest the GX-4000D as a starter machine. If you’ve got decent electronic and mechanical skills and like a challenge then the GX-260D is well worth fixing up, it’s a premium 7” tape deck from Akai.

 

[Skylab]

The question of price is also important I think. The GX-4000D shouldn’t cost more than a couple hundred bucks in good working condition, at the most. The 260D should be even less unless it’s already fully restored.

 

[MaxxVolume]

Truthfully, I would avoid the Akai models altogether, and seek out a TEAC "A-Series" deck, or a Pioneer RT-1020 or RT-701/707 (auto reverse). IMHO, Akai`s design and build quality is not up to the standards of these other two.

 

[booted]

i have both decks. My 260D costed me $40.00 and works great. have had no problems with it. and my 4000D costed me $100.00 works great also.Both are good decks. I like the looks of the 260. ...