Akai AP-B21 (1981–1982)
A belt-drive auto-return turntable from Akai, produced in the early 1980s
Overview
The Akai AP-B21 is an auto-return turntable made by Akai Electric Co. Ltd. It is belt drive. The tonearm is a J-shaped static balance design with an effective length of 220mm, and it takes cartridges weighing between 4 and 9 grams. The platter is die-cast aluminum alloy. Akai built it from 1981 to 1982, as part of its turntable lineup from those years.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Akai Electric Co. Ltd. |
| Product type | Auto Return Turntable, Belt Drive Turntable, record player |
| Production years | 1981–1982 |
| Platter | aluminium alloy die cast |
| Drive system | belt drive |
| Tonearm | J-shaped static balance type |
| Effective length | 220mm |
| Cartridge weight range | 4 to 9g |
| Arm lifter | oil |
Design
The AP-B21 has a J-shaped static balance tonearm with an oil-damped arm lifter. Inside, it shares design elements with the AP-100, including similar core mechanics. The arm board is more mass-produced than on earlier models, and the arm itself is cost-reduced.
Market
A service manual covers the Akai AP-B21, AP-D33, and AP-Q55 models. One used unit was listed with the note "Works Has Auto Return & 45 issue." A restored example was offered on Etsy as a vintage belt-drive turntable with auto-return and S-type arm.
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Related Models
- Akai AP-D2 (1979-1982)
- Akai AP-003 (1980)
- Akai AP 005
- Akai AP-007 (1985)
- Akai AP 100
- Garrard SP (1975)
- Luxman PD-310 (1981)
- Luxman PD-555 (1983)
- Thorens TD-124 (1957–1967)
- Harman Kardon kardon-turntables (1975)