Emily Velasco

I found this nice late '70s Akai tape deck in the e waste while looking for stuff for Disassembly Academy and it was too nice to trash without trying to fix it first. It looks like I revived it!

It looks like these were made from 1977-1978 and retailed for $200, the equivalent of $1,000 today

Mar 12, 2023 at 7:51pmWeb
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 12, 2023
Well, it's not totally fixed. The auto-stop feature sometimes triggers randomly even when the tape hasn't reached its end. I'll have to see if I can figure out why
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 12, 2023
This mechanism is responsible for the auto-stop function. I don't really understand how it works, but I think the belt that runs across the top of the detection wheel is a little on the loose side, which may be what's causing this
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 12, 2023
This diagram would actually make a kind of cool tattoo
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 13, 2023
It goes pretty well with my Kenwood stereo. I don't know if I am going to keep it yet, but it does complement things
Show threadEverybody loves GordoMar 13, 2023

@MLE_online God I love the look of 70's Kenwood. I should really take the time to get my old Audio Reflex up and running again.

If you've never heard of Audio Reflex, my understanding is not a lot of poeple outside of Canada have. They got absorbed by a much larger Korean company in the early 80's I believe.

Show thread48kRAMMar 13, 2023
@MLE_online They need to bring back silver- face hifi gear. For a time it was so unwanted that even pawn shops around here wouldn't buy it.
Show threadArchieMar 13, 2023

@48kRAM @MLE_online 70's and early 80's was the golden period for Hifi. The machines are beautiful 😍

#VintageHifi

Show threadAaron Sawdey, Ph.D.Mar 13, 2023
@Archie8 @48kRAM @MLE_online Figure you all will probably appreciate this then:
Show threadArchieMar 13, 2023
@acsawdey @48kRAM @MLE_online That's a beauty isn't it! With dbx as well 🤩
Show threadAaron Sawdey, Ph.D.Mar 13, 2023
@Archie8 @48kRAM @MLE_online wondered if anyone would notice that little magic button .. it was a revelation at the time! Too bad I never had a car or portable with it, so pretty much limited to mix tapes.
Show threadArchieMar 13, 2023
@acsawdey @48kRAM @MLE_online
I like the electro mechanical nature of old tape decks. In many ways they're like clocks. The tension in the belts, the friction on the rollers. Everything is finely balanced
Show threadbillheywoodMar 13, 2023

@MLE_online
It would certainly be niche

Where & how do you find the diagram for a 1977 tape deck?

Show threadEmily VelascoMar 13, 2023
@billheywood you just the name + the model + service manual and hope there's a website that has it
Show threadbillheywoodMar 14, 2023
@MLE_online
It always amazes me what people have thought to digitise and keep online
Show threadDr. Juande Santander-VelaMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online the sensor for tension might be getting the wrong reading, have a faulty cable, or if there is a tuning threshold it could be reset…
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 12, 2023
@juandesant Thanks!
Show threadDr. Juande Santander-VelaMar 13, 2023
@MLE_online couple more things that came to mind: there might be a buildup of grease in the motor that sometimes creates more tension… or it might only be happening with certain tapes that might have been wound too tightly.
Show threadRattlesnakeStuMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online From what I can see and remember, my dad and one of my brothers each had one of those. They were expensive but nice!
Show threadvalkraider Mar 12, 2023
@MLE_online Akai generally made good stuff.
Show threadLocksmithMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online I had one in the 80s. A double tape deck, I believe.
Show threadfredyMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online OO WEE OO WEE BABY
Show threadTom AndersonMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online I bought that same AKAI tape deck model in 1980.
Show threadmaxelcatMar 12, 2023
@MLE_online bought back happy memories of taking my tape deck apart in the eighties to fix it.
Show threadTaylor KurosakiMar 13, 2023
@MLE_online me likey!