Akai AP-007 (1976–1978)

The AP-007 is a Japanese direct-drive, fully automatic turntable from the late 1970s. It has a heavy die-cast platter and precision motor control.

Overview

The Akai AP-007 is a fully automatic, direct-drive turntable made in Japan between 1976 and 1978. It plays 33⅓ and 45 rpm. The motor is a 6-pole outer rotor AC servo type, and it allows speed adjustment within ±5%. The platter is 325 mm aluminum alloy die-cast and weighs 1.15 kg. Total weight is 9.5 kg, which helps rotational stability. The unit measures 460 mm wide, 135 mm high and 380 mm deep, and it was built for mechanical rigidity and low vibration. The tonearm has an effective length of 220 mm and a fixed offset angle of 22 degrees. Signal-to-noise ratio is rated at 73 dB. There is no built-in pickup, so a cartridge has to be installed separately.

Design

The AP-007 uses direct drive with AC servo control. That means no belt to wear out, and speed stays accurate. The fully automatic mechanism places the record and returns the arm without any help from the user. One long-term owner reported that the synchronous motor behind the on/off switching mechanism failed after about 40 years of use. That is a known weak point. The owner was also worried about finding a replacement with matching specifications (diyAudio, 2021).

Context

Akai positioned the AP-007 above the AP-005 in its turntable lineup. The AP-006 was reportedly a manual version of the same series. Online discussions compare it to contemporary models like the Technics SL-3200 and SL-5, which suggests it competed in the mid-to-high tier of Japanese turntables of its era.

Market

A replacement stylus for the AP-007 is available as a replica compatible with the original Audio-Technica design, priced around €70. The synchronous motor that controls the power switch mechanism is a known failure point. Replacements may be hard to find because of specific mounting and electrical requirements.

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