Tell us about your stereo!
- Thread starter Hepcat
- Start date
gcczep
Ever Onward...
Mix tape
At this past Sunday's swap meet, this cat had an Akai GXC-325D cassette deck that looked clean and well maintained. I have a standing offer of $100 for it plus he is close by.
-closed-loop dual capstan
-3mm capstans,
-7 7cm flywheels
-AC servo motor with 40 teeth on both rotor and stator
-three long lasting GX heads
-dual Dolby (rec and play circuits separated)
-ADR circuit for automatic recording equalization (less IMD and high frequency distortion)
-switchable limiter circuit
Two tier flat with separate left/right recording levels [I hate those single ones for both channels]. Really dig those old school meters. It looks like a mini recording console
Sooo tempted...
At this past Sunday's swap meet, this cat had an Akai GXC-325D cassette deck that looked clean and well maintained. I have a standing offer of $100 for it plus he is close by.
-closed-loop dual capstan
-3mm capstans,
-7 7cm flywheels
-AC servo motor with 40 teeth on both rotor and stator
-three long lasting GX heads
-dual Dolby (rec and play circuits separated)
-ADR circuit for automatic recording equalization (less IMD and high frequency distortion)
-switchable limiter circuit
Two tier flat with separate left/right recording levels [I hate those single ones for both channels]. Really dig those old school meters. It looks like a mini recording console
Sooo tempted...
mrJim
Senior Member
its just got the Rega Carbon Moving Magnet. its the base catridge. I hesitated on the performance upgrade.
Sox
Avoiding The Swan Song
I have the RP1 I like it alot, I think it is a great table and a prettygood deal. I run it through a *** Digital Phono/USB Preamp. Its the shnitz***:
Jim
The RP1 gets some great reviews in What HiFi Jim, I think that's what swayed my choice and I am well pleased so far.
At this past Sunday's swap meet, this cat had an Akai GXC-325D cassette deck that looked clean and well maintained. I have a standing offer of $100 for it plus he is close by.
-closed-loop dual capstan
-3mm capstans,
-7 7cm flywheels
-AC servo motor with 40 teeth on both rotor and stator
-three long lasting GX heads
-dual Dolby (rec and play circuits separated)
-ADR circuit for automatic recording equalization (less IMD and high frequency distortion)
-switchable limiter circuit
Two tier flat with separate left/right recording levels [I hate those single ones for both channels]. Really dig those old school meters. It looks like a mini recording console
Sooo tempted...
I've always loved the old cassette decks with analog meters, and I've looked for a nice Akai deck with the "Glass heads" over the years but haven't managed to find one at the right price.(That particular head design will almost last forever, unlike many of the other's.) Good luck with your bid George.
Upgrading your cartridge will be a massive improvement MrJim, and you won't need anyone to tell you there's a big difference in the sound, it's easy to hear for yourself.
You don't have to break the bank either, there are plenty of quality brands to pick from anywhere from $100-$500, depending on your budget.
mrJim
Senior Member
That has my attention. They have a "Performance Kit" that comes with their Bias 2 MM cartridge, upgrades drive belt and mat... $220 seemed a bit pricy.
I haven't had alot of time to do the research on it, but it sounds like I have other options and manufacturers to pick from?
I have been getting some great results using that *** device, the USB results have been really good.
^^There are quite a few really good manufacturers out there.
Here's a link to "Needle Doctor", by far the best online site for cartridges/TT etc.
Needle Doctor
It's a great place to look and get information on anything for your TT, I use it all the time.
Here's a link to "Needle Doctor", by far the best online site for cartridges/TT etc.
Needle Doctor
It's a great place to look and get information on anything for your TT, I use it all the time.
mrJim
Senior Member
I'll give it a look. You have my interest though, improving would be seriously good sound.
I am just sending sound through an Onkyo reciever
Jim
I am just sending sound through an Onkyo reciever
Jim
gcczep
Ever Onward...
Taped...
Unit off...
Playback on...
The seller was a very knowledgeable fellow. He had all sorts of vintage gear in his garage...so much so that it was like stepping into a time machine and ending up in the 1970's. In his van were two large reel to reel decks one in overall excellent shape while the other had scratches on the wood paneling on the bottom anyway.
So far, so good with the unit. Faceplate is clean with no nicks, no operational issues, even the real wood case has no staining or chipping. The meters work properly with the lights not exhibiting any dimming. The previous owner really looked after this little beauty. Oh and it is no lightweight either. Big, solid and a fine hunk of audio engineering.
At first connection, while playing a live Stones tape, there was no output in the right channel...worry number one turns out the interconnect I used had the signal the wrong way. On to worry number two, I tried an old tape that I recorded a long time ago and it had warbles every 20 seconds. I put in a pre-recorded Hendrix tape that I had laying about...no problems. That tape I used prior to it was defective...dust, heat, age...so who knows.
Now on to retrieving a manual off eBay and looking about for a set of cleaners. I thought about taking instead this big 'ole black professional [with rack handles] Sansui but the Akai had the glass/ferrite heads which you clued me in ultimately made my decision easy pickings.
Searching for info about the GXC-325D unit led me to the legend of this beast [Akai GXC-570D]:
IF I run into it, that could end up being a story for another day...
Well, managed to get it today Bruce for the quoted price...I've always loved the old cassette decks with analog meters, and I've looked for a nice Akai deck with the "Glass heads" over the years but haven't managed to find one at the right price.(That particular head design will almost last forever, unlike many of the other's.) Good luck with your bid George.
Unit off...
Playback on...
The seller was a very knowledgeable fellow. He had all sorts of vintage gear in his garage...so much so that it was like stepping into a time machine and ending up in the 1970's. In his van were two large reel to reel decks one in overall excellent shape while the other had scratches on the wood paneling on the bottom anyway.
So far, so good with the unit. Faceplate is clean with no nicks, no operational issues, even the real wood case has no staining or chipping. The meters work properly with the lights not exhibiting any dimming. The previous owner really looked after this little beauty. Oh and it is no lightweight either. Big, solid and a fine hunk of audio engineering.
At first connection, while playing a live Stones tape, there was no output in the right channel...worry number one turns out the interconnect I used had the signal the wrong way. On to worry number two, I tried an old tape that I recorded a long time ago and it had warbles every 20 seconds. I put in a pre-recorded Hendrix tape that I had laying about...no problems. That tape I used prior to it was defective...dust, heat, age...so who knows.
Now on to retrieving a manual off eBay and looking about for a set of cleaners. I thought about taking instead this big 'ole black professional [with rack handles] Sansui but the Akai had the glass/ferrite heads which you clued me in ultimately made my decision easy pickings.
Searching for info about the GXC-325D unit led me to the legend of this beast [Akai GXC-570D]:
IF I run into it, that could end up being a story for another day...
Last edited:
Congratulations on your new addition to the 'family' George.
I haven't looked at vintage gear for a while, but other than the Akai cassette decks with the glass heads the only other one I've ever really coveted was Pioneer's masterpiece, I can't remember the model off hand but it's massive and has all the bells and whistles, only drawback are flourescent meters instead of analog ones' and the heads aren't quite as durable.
I almost bid on an old Akai last year, but it was too expensive and you are never sure if the piece has been maintained properly unless you can see it in person like you did.
I haven't looked at vintage gear for a while, but other than the Akai cassette decks with the glass heads the only other one I've ever really coveted was Pioneer's masterpiece, I can't remember the model off hand but it's massive and has all the bells and whistles, only drawback are flourescent meters instead of analog ones' and the heads aren't quite as durable.
I almost bid on an old Akai last year, but it was too expensive and you are never sure if the piece has been maintained properly unless you can see it in person like you did.
