Emily VelascoMar 12, 2023

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

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 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.
@Archie8 @48kRAM @MLE_online Figure you all will probably appreciate this then:
Mar 13, 2023 at 11:00pmWeb
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