Good technology

[Hans Deventer]

Yesterday, I reconnected my old open reel tape deck to the amplifier again. Took the oldest tape I had (recorded in 1978) and listened. To my surprise, the tape was still perfect! Sound was as good as I could remember. They really did make some good stuff in those days. Below a picture of the tape deck, an AKAI GX 625.

http://www.schueler-experimente.de/images/gx6251_579.jpg

[Joel Merrill]

Yesterday, I reconnected my old open reel tape deck to the amplifier again. Took the oldest tape I had (recorded in 1978) and listened. To my surprise, the tape was still perfect! Sound was as good as I could remember. They really did make some good stuff in those days. Below a picture of the tape deck, an AKAI GX 625.

(PS. I can't post pictures right now, as soon as I can, I will add it.)

I used to have an AKAI reel to reel (that is what we call them) tape recorder. I believe the model was M8. It was made in 1968. I had it until 1983. The heads wore out and I couldn't get parts anymore. It would still play fine but one track wouldn't record.

Joel

[Hans Deventer]

I used to have an AKAI reel to reel (that is what we call them) tape recorder. I believe the model was M8. It was made in 1968. I had it until 1983. The heads wore out and I couldn't get parts anymore. It would still play fine but one track wouldn't record.

Joel, the GX 625 (and the GX 630 that I had before) had their heads in glass. They really don't wear out, they said, and I am starting to believe them. Was your M8 the one on this page?

http://users.chariot.net.au/~debpeter/Akai.html

[Dave McClung]

Joel, the GX 625 (and the GX 630 that I had before) had their heads in glass. They really don't wear out, they said, and I am starting to believe them. Was your M8 the one on this page?

http://users.chariot.net.au/~debpeter/Akai.html

I had a "Roberts" which was the U.S. version. I still have a lot of the tapes, but can no longer play them. Over the years I have bought several of the reel to reel recorders from Ebay hoping to get one that would allow me to convert my tapes to CD. So far, I have not been successful. All of them have rubber belts that have become brittle over the years.

Hans, I am pleased that yours still works. Take care of it.

[Hans Deventer]

I had a "Roberts" which was the U.S. version. I still have a lot of the tapes, but can no longer play them. Over the years I have bought several of the reel to reel recorders from Ebay hoping to get one that would allow me to convert my tapes to CD. So far, I have not been successful. All of them have rubber belts that have become brittle over the years.

Dave, when I was looking for someone to repair my old GX 630, I found a guy who had this as his hobby: repairing old tape decks. Eventually, I got my GX 625 for free from a collegue, so I gave this guy my broken GX 630.

I presume there are people in the US who have a similar hobby. Chances are, they can sell you a good working reel to reel tape deck.

[Bob Wright]

I had one also, and the music quality was great.

[Joel Merrill]

Joel, the GX 625 (and the GX 630 that I had before) had their heads in glass. They really don't wear out, they said, and I am starting to believe them. Was your M8 the one on this page?

http://users.chariot.net.au/~debpeter/Akai.html (http://users.chariot.net.au/%7Edebpeter/Akai.html)

It's been a long time but I'm sure it was that M8.

Joel

[Hans Deventer]

All of them have rubber belts that have become brittle over the years.

Dave, the more expensive types did not have belts. Mine, for instance, has three motors, 2 for the reels and one for the tape speed.

I remember the Akai 4000 though (one that has been quite popular over here in the 70's), and that one did have only one motor and indeed a belt.

BTW, I meant guys like this one: http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx/