Akai GX-220D Reel To Reel Repair Restoration Testing - Vintage Stereo Tape Deck - 2 Channel Audio

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Akai GX-220D reel to reel vintage stereo tape deck repair, restoration, and testing video. All three start capacitors were replaced as one had exploded inside the chassis. The original Akai can capacitors are no longer available. I used modern start capacitors that are still used in fan and air conditioning equipment for replacements. This Akai GX-220D open reel tape deck also had it's 50 years old grease cleaned up and replaced with new. The Akai GX-220D was a big surprise on the test bench. Running at 7 1/2 IPS this tape decks frequency response was 24HZ - 27000HZ +- 2 1/2 DB which is outstanding for a reel to reel tape deck produced in 1970 and 1971. I hooked up the GX-220D into a stereo system and ran it though it's pace's. The Akai GX-220D sounded every bit as good as it's numbers on the test bench. The performance was truly outstanding on both the test bench and with music.
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6 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 82

@JamesE707 4 года назад

Another good top here at about @6:30 onwards. Repair a small section and check this all is well first before moving on. Great video - good photography!

@jeffro5032 9 месяцев назад

I just got a free GX-270D. I'm a remodel contractor and help flip homes for a living. Cleaning out the attic above the shop , it had been sitting up there for probably 40 years. The guy that owns it and is selling the house said " Keep it , I don't know what it is " I grabbed it , cleaned it all up and it seems everything works as it should. Still have to test playback and record. It is in great condition too. Knobs , buttons , levers , everything is smooth as silk. Man I hope it works!

@seansweeney3532 Год назад

I have on my bench a 1956. Crown GCR reel to reel! Get this... It's a four track stereo recorder with matching stereo amplifier built into the unit... A 30 watt stereo amp! That uses 2 mullard EL37 power tubes per side... Now the heads are trashed... The otherwise it's in pretty great condition and very restorable... However, the whole concept of tape recording had not really matured by this time in the 50s, even though this was made for likely a professional recording studio.... The concept of back tension or servo motors a long ways away... It uses 2 adjustable arms to create the back tension... And there are no guide rollers to speak of.... Tape just threads directly into the head assembly and is guided through a couple of grooves and held in place by felt pressure pads on spring-loaded copper tabs.... And the play head has a grooved shell around it. To shield out RF interference and guide the tape effectively. There's almost no way to adjust azimuth... So I was thinking of installing our retro fitting some modern rollers and head assembly from an akai that I have here... The akai has a 250 ohm impedance play head and the original Crown measures 375. I'm thinking that's in the ballpark.... Normally I would try to work with what I have but I really think this unit could play and record and sound amazing... Just the amplifier alone is a pretty wondrous thing. And I played on keeping the looks of it relatively intact.... With just maybe the addition of a few Guide roller's and the head assembly tucked underneath the original head cover... Any ideas or any thoughts? Lol

@rakosipeter7446 9 месяцев назад

It's an amazing machine. Those who can buy this in America for $20-$70 are lucky.

@truck9moon100 4 года назад

My Akai GXC-710 D cassette deck is a great piece of equipment. I believe this deck is great too. Thank-You very much for all you do in keeping these items rocking.

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thank You! I enjoy the hobby. It's also great for me to see that there are so many enthusiast's like yourself around the world that enjoy vintage audio equipment just as much..

@JamesE707 4 года назад

Very good advice at about @5:50 ... photograph before disassemblng, even if you're experienced, it's easy to forget both major and subtle wiring and mechanical features.

@malcolmdavies6572 10 месяцев назад

Very nicely put they have there place.

@wolneycampanha8555 4 года назад

CONGRATULATIONS!!! PERFECT!!! AKAI NOTE 10!!! 1 HUG...

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thank You!

@dansaugstad5005 4 года назад

Surprised you did not mention the auto-reverse capability. This was my first major hi-if purchase. Used it for 25 years, sold it for a little bit more than I paid for it ($525 in ‘71(?) ). A rock solid machine.

@vikryrevi9680 4 года назад

Hi, .... I am a new subscriber from Indonesia, an audio fan using a cassette tape, especially R2R. 😁

@TheDarrenSR 4 года назад

That's true I just remembered that the cross field model sounded great

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Yes, the old reel to reels can really do a great job when operating properly.

@mastamove 3 года назад

Great video! Got the same deck and works fine (didn't open it). Only issue is that the right channel sometimes falls down while recording. If i plugin headphones problem solved :).

@vintageaudioaddict 3 года назад

Thank you! She's a great deck! Continued good luck with yours.

@endoplasreh 4 года назад

Pretty cool unit. I have one that I picked up for $75 with a left channel issue. Have not had time to investigate, but I got 30 plus reels of tape and a metal pickup reel in the deal. So I figure I paid $25 for the deck and 50 for the rest of the gear. Heck the metal reel is $50 on ebay. The only drawback to the glass heads is that they have the potential of shredding old tapes, BASF specifically since their binding agents break down over the years more so than others. I have a TEAC open reel I play those BASF tapes on.

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thanks for sharing. Great deal for you! When you get your reel to reel up and running I think that you will be happy with it.

@bobjerome5390 4 года назад

hi man you are right they all have things bad with them i have worked on a lot my self i have this deck and you are right it was one of the first 2 way play i worked on i get all the part i can from RS there is a man in the eu who doe's the line up tapes as well only 1/4 tapes

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Congratulations on getting your GX-220D up and running!

@neeneko 2 года назад

Just got a GX-220D and found this video, helped a great deal! Sadly, the delivery person threw it, so scared to open up the back and find out how much damage there is...

@vintageaudioaddict 2 года назад

Glad the video helped you out but so sorry about the shipping damage. This gear has to packed like it's going to the moon to survive the shipping companies sometimes.

@neeneko 2 года назад

@@vintageaudioaddict yeah, sadly in this case the packing was pretty poor. it hit hard enough that one of the rubber feet on the back snapped the wood back. ah well, it is my first one, so learning experience!

@theno1deejay 2 года назад

Got a 220D today, $50 as non functioning. Now it´s up and running, recorded Donal Fagen/Nightfly and it sounds ok. Need some work to be 100%, but nice to try it out direkt....

@vintageaudioaddict 2 года назад

Congrats! The GX-220D is a really nice vintage open reel deck.

@zachramsden9549 Год назад

I just picked up an Akai GX220D about a month ago. Awesome machine! Used it a few times to bounce mixes down from my four track, and it's worked perfectly until yesterday. The sound is incredible. Although, yesterday the left channel started cutting in and out slightly, and was generally weaker than the right channel. This is while recording and monitoring the tape. Both channels sound perfect when i'm monitoring the source. So its only when monitoring the tape, and during play back. I cleaned the heads and tape path thoroughly, but no dice. Both right and left volume pots are scratchy, so I'll start there with cleaning those pots and switches with Deoxit. But, what do you think? Could it be those pots? Or something else perhaps?

@jaime57473 4 года назад

yes sir, I enjoyed your video very very much, already subbed for quite a while and thumbs up as always, I've had the chance to get two of these at garage sales 1 for 5dlls and the other for 10, didnt get them, hearing donkey sounds...

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thank you very much! These old decks are a cheap way to get into reel to reel if you don't mind spending the time fixing them.

@jaime57473 4 года назад

Well thanks to what I have learned watching your videos, I restored a Marantz 2220B that I got for 20dlls that had a bad left channel to NEW condition and it is now my pride and joy. Now it mesmerizes me with it's blue glow and I listen to it everyday. and this 1974 unit sounds amazing.

@MrStarbor Год назад

Great job!!!

@bobjerome5390 4 года назад

have you ever worked on a akai 1800ss quad deck i have 2 i picked up in london wow they are good they needed work i still love the way you no your pic's very good plan using them on youtube later

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

First of all thank you for the your kind words. You know I'm not sure if I've worked on the Akai 1800SS. Great finds! All of the reel reel decks around the same era are similar and can perform a lot better then many people think. The problem with most of them is they need work like your 1800's. Congrats on getting them going!

@joshmaier18 4 года назад

I have the same model, I’m having trouble with right channel. It’s very very low volume barley audible. It works when it’s first turned on and if you turn it off and on again for a couple seconds. Any suggestions on what it might be ?

@ottodydaktyk 4 года назад

Sweet! I got a Teac A-1500 for $20 recently, was going to ask you where you got your test tape(s), but you beat me to it. They are a QUITE pricey, but I kinda expected that, so it will happen...eventually.

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thanks! Yes, the test tapes are pricey but as much as I use it the tapes will last a lifetime.

@DavidSmith-eg5le 3 года назад

I've always wondered this and I was wondering if people can explain why did the reels themselves have different designs on them why so many different designs I'm just curious

@kenbock5554 4 года назад

I have an AKAI GX-220D that now doesn't work. I turned it on, the meters showed that we had power and then the system shut off. I checked the fuse in the back if the deck and it is good. What could be the next step to get power to the deck?

@Gtrtech 3 года назад

Which MRL test tape did you use on this machine? I have a 220d that is way out of call and these depend on the playback level to be set first.

@TheDarrenSR 4 года назад

we had the akai crossfiled x head system i think it was X 1000D OR 100D I think might have model no wrong. it was in black cabinet with a door

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

There were so many different Akai models throughout the years, it is hard to keep them straight.

@davidtube9895 3 года назад

Hi there my akai GX-4000D it working but at one channel work even when I record at least can you tell me what is wrong with it because I Can replaced it if got damage

@palogazo3947 3 года назад

It looks to me like the 2MF paper metal cap is not start but run capacitor..

@23x31 4 года назад

Question: One of my vintage higher-end Yamaha cassette decks has an intermittent high-pitch squealing. Its not the tapes, but the transport itself. Would this be due to the capstan needing lubrication? Or is it one of the motors? Thanks again for your videos. They've been quite informative and helpful.

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thank you very much for watching. First of all Yamaha made some really good cassette decks. Many times they are overlooked. If your cassette deck has not been gone though in the past few years it probably needs belts, idler tire, the old grease cleaned up and renewed along with as you mentioned the capstan shafts serviced. The transport would need to be removed so doing one thing is as much work as doing everything. The belt kits in general are available and grease/lube is inexpensive. It's getting the transport apart and back together correctly that's more difficult. Like everything in life it's not that difficult after you have torn apart a few tape decks. If you have never done it the first time it will probably be a challenge.

@patrickdeans8074 11 месяцев назад

I realize you did this repair 3 years ago but I just picked up this exact model. Not easy finding someone that can do these repairs these days. Would you ever be willing to do a repair for someone?

@packratswhatif.3990 4 года назад

Nice, but why is this deck performing so well ? Would this be considered normal for a reel to reel, and what about its signal to noise ratio and wow-n-flutter ...... just curious. But you are so right about how we get all caught up in the high end units with all the bells-n-whistles. 👍

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thanks! The GX-220D's specification by Akai at 7 1/2 was 30HZ - 24000HZ +- 3DB. This was in 1970! Like so many pieces of vintage audio equipment 50 years later many can beat their specs. The ST-1510 tape deck analyzer that I use measures those other parameters. This deck on paper is not going to measure as well as a deck did that was produced 10 years later. It still can perform very well.

@777jones 4 года назад

It has the Akai tape spool. My dad has one like this. Very few hours. It still works. From 1970. Is Akai an off-brand? My understanding is they were among the finest, for cassettes too.

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Akai is not an off brand. My GX-220D made it 50 years so it is engineered and build well. Akai made quality reel to reel and cassette decks for many years.

@johnhall563 3 года назад

I just bought this machine from a local hi-fi shop. What tape would you recommend that I buy for recording?

@racebearstv 2 года назад

Greetings from Cambridge,UK.Enjoyed this vid especially as you give a lot of very practical advice.Last week I picked up a 1972 GX221D which is in very good shape,except for one big thing:I can’t get any sound out of it! I’ve cleaned the heads and transport gear which weren’t so dirty in fact.Motors pull strong…VU meters light up fine,but DON’T move.No sound with headphones either.Any ideas on what the fault(s) could be?!Grateful for any tips before I get out of my depth!BTW,I also have an Akai M-9 which works great - only needed a clean so far!

@vintageaudioaddict 2 года назад

Cheers from the USA! It is really difficult to say but with both channels having the same issue hopefully you can look at the schematic and see what would affect both channels. Power supply voltage? It's just hard to say.

@racebearstv 2 года назад

@@vintageaudioaddict Thanks!I don’t know much about electronics,but I’ll persevere as I want to hear it,and compare it with my M9 tube R2R.

@charlescolbert8374 4 года назад

I have a 260D AKAI, non functioning. I think the solenoids are bad....is there a reliable shop near New Jersey to get it repaired?

@Musicradio77Network 3 года назад

The GX glass head was known for Sticky Shed Syndrome on back coated tapes which is the worst and it cause the machine to squeal. “12voltvids” did a video about the problem with GX glass head on Akai tape recorders including the GX series.

@desmoface 4 года назад

Incredible - thanks for sharing. Have you ever considered doing this for money?

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thank you! I think if I repaired other peoples equipment for profit it would be a more of a job. Not my cup of tea at this point in my life. I enjoy working on my own equipment and then being able to use it.

@cretan911 4 года назад

cool

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

Thanks!

@WoodSmartUSA 5 месяцев назад

Would you be willing to work on my GX-220D ? I just picked it up, everything works, all functions. i’m not technician and would do more damage than good if I attempted anything on the unit … Just figure with it’s age could use the going over like you did in the video. If you’re interested, let me know how we can discuss. Thanks S

@Sonikbytes 2 года назад

I got 365d in pieces. I remember the sound was muffled even after cleaning and moving the head. Bad head? Do you think this model should reach such a good frequency response too?

@vintageaudioaddict 2 года назад

Yes, it should perform as well as the 220D. Remember these machines are 50 years old. There could be a number of things that could cause muffled sound. The heads are usually pretty durable but that could be an issue or the deck just needs aligning.

@vcoaster 3 года назад

I have an Akai GX-270D. When the tape begins to play it almost immediately slips off the capstan causing the reel to speed up to FF speed. Everything is clean and in apparent good condition. Any suggestions on how to correct this?

@vintageaudioaddict 3 года назад

Could be a tape tension issue if everything else checks out.

@austinwood7401 4 года назад

Hey there, I have this exact deck but I’m having some issues with recording and playback. I’ve cleaned the tape path extensively and I’ve cleaned and inspected the heads, nothing out of the ordinary. However, with playback, the audio is quite “muddy”. Highs are rolled off greatly. It’s not the tape, as I’ve tried with multiple tapes. Additionally, when I record, the right channel is significantly quieter and the highs are rolled off even further. Is this an issue with calibration? Servicing the deck myself is a bit beyond my abilities, so I want to get an idea of what is wrong. Thanks!

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

It could be calibration but being 50 years old all of the electronic capacitors are suspect. It's really hard for me to say, it could be about anything. Google "vintage audio repair" or vintage stereo repair" and see if you can find someone that can take a look at your GX-220D locally.

@austinwood7401 4 года назад

Vintage Audio Addict Sounds good. I’m planning on bringing it in somewhere but I kind of wanted to figure out where the problem originated so I could be somewhat helpful when bringing it in. Thanks!

@The559Jeff Год назад

Any idea how to repair the reel on the right side if it is tight? Doesn’t turn as freely as the left one? Thank you

@vintageaudioaddict Год назад

I'd look at the reel table. If the reel was ever fell on it's face that may have shifted or was damaged.

@lnhislmage Год назад

I recently got ahold of a GX-220D and I have it opened up front and back and still can’t figure out why the FF/REW lever is locked up and I was wondering if you have any suggestions . Any help would be greatly appreciated!

@vintageaudioaddict Год назад

Just to the right of the FF/REW lever is a button. When you push that button the lever marked "Pause" should release down. If not that's your problem. Old grease dries up and causes the mechanism to freeze up. If that's the issue you will have to take it apart to clean up the old grease and install new. Good Luck!

@steveg5122 3 года назад

Hey, i just got one of these, and am doing a basic service on it. It currently has an issue where it cuts out on the right channel when playing, i cleaned the heads, and i cannot figure out how to get the pause lever knob off it. What course of action should i take from here?

@vintageaudioaddict 3 года назад

If you haven't used deoxit on the controls I'd try that first.

@steveg5122 3 года назад

@@vintageaudioaddict Its coming soon.

@steveg5122 3 года назад

Also thank you for getting back to me. Happy new year.

@steveg5122 2 года назад

@@vintageaudioaddict Hey, it was the Sanyo chips on the Amp board, and i had to do the exact same start cap repair as you on the Capstan start.

@dougg1075 4 года назад

Heard some scuttlebutt about a Pioneer SX 1980 selling on EBay for 26k haha. Have you thoughts on that?

@vintageaudioaddict 4 года назад

When I first read this I though ya right someone might be asking that but......I looked and one did just sell at 26K on eBay!!! I have to say that I'm very surprised and some others words. LOL