Name this recorder - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DMcMahon · 1st Dec 2020, 5:54 pm

A hard one from this photo I think. Some people may recognize the make but the model (is not common) is more difficult, but the tape transport control buttons may be a give away for those in the know.

David

Michael Maurice · 1st Dec 2020, 7:27 pm

I'd guess either Akai or Sony, judging by the heads, I'd go for Sony.

Michael Maurice · 1st Dec 2020, 7:33 pm

Changed my mind! I think its an Akai, because of the VU meter design.

DMcMahon · 1st Dec 2020, 7:48 pm

Yes Akai, I also should have said that normally it all is vertical, the tape deck section is just horizontal because it is out of its case for fault finding.

ms660 · 2nd Dec 2020, 12:16 pm

My guess is an Akai GX-286DB.

Lawrence.

DMcMahon · 2nd Dec 2020, 1:37 pm

Spot on Lawrence, good detective work. It has quite distinctive touch sensitive tape transport control buttons which work very well.

I have 2 of them, the first one arrived with quite a lot of serious corrosion internally on the metalwork, which took some tidying up and had numerous noise issues caused by bad transistors. One remaining problem I need to resolve is that the automatic reverse modes do not work, have spent quite some time investigating going round and round without be able to locate the problem so far.

The second one is extremely good condition with no problems (a rarity I would say) .

David

ms660 · 2nd Dec 2020, 2:37 pm

What are the voltages telling you for the no auto reverse fault? I hope you have a clearer schematic than I have.

Lawrence.

DMcMahon · 2nd Dec 2020, 3:22 pm

Schematic is not great, the voltages are a fuzzy red, I had to enlarge section and print to be able to see somewhat better.

I have not looked at it for quite a while so will have to revisit my notes to see what sort of results I got, on paper it looks simple, the first 2 transistors (seemed like both of these are not switching, when the single Sense pole is grounded) on the System Control board have been replaced with no change and all surrounding components checked out OK.

I know it is the System Control board at fault because swapping the boards over between the 2 machines swaps over the symptoms, i.e. good machine then does not work and bad machine then does work.

Physically it is a difficult board to access/monitor.

David

1st Dec 2020, 5:54 pm	#1
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Name this recorder A hard one from this photo I think. Some people may recognize the make but the model (is not common) is more difficult, but the tape transport control buttons may be a give away for those in the know. David Attached Thumbnails

1st Dec 2020, 7:27 pm	#2
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Name this recorder I'd guess either Akai or Sony, judging by the heads, I'd go for Sony. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

1st Dec 2020, 7:33 pm	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,223	Re: Name this recorder Changed my mind! I think its an Akai, because of the VU meter design. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

1st Dec 2020, 7:48 pm	#4
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: Name this recorder Yes Akai, I also should have said that normally it all is vertical, the tape deck section is just horizontal because it is out of its case for fault finding.

2nd Dec 2020, 12:16 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Name this recorder My guess is an Akai GX-286DB. Lawrence.

2nd Dec 2020, 1:37 pm	#6
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: Name this recorder Spot on Lawrence, good detective work. It has quite distinctive touch sensitive tape transport control buttons which work very well. I have 2 of them, the first one arrived with quite a lot of serious corrosion internally on the metalwork, which took some tidying up and had numerous noise issues caused by bad transistors. One remaining problem I need to resolve is that the automatic reverse modes do not work, have spent quite some time investigating going round and round without be able to locate the problem so far. The second one is extremely good condition with no problems (a rarity I would say) . David Attached Thumbnails

2nd Dec 2020, 2:37 pm	#7
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Name this recorder What are the voltages telling you for the no auto reverse fault? I hope you have a clearer schematic than I have. Lawrence.

2nd Dec 2020, 3:22 pm	#8
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: Name this recorder Schematic is not great, the voltages are a fuzzy red, I had to enlarge section and print to be able to see somewhat better. I have not looked at it for quite a while so will have to revisit my notes to see what sort of results I got, on paper it looks simple, the first 2 transistors (seemed like both of these are not switching, when the single Sense pole is grounded) on the System Control board have been replaced with no change and all surrounding components checked out OK. I know it is the System Control board at fault because swapping the boards over between the 2 machines swaps over the symptoms, i.e. good machine then does not work and bad machine then does work. Physically it is a difficult board to access/monitor. David