Akai CS-M01A (1979–1981)
A two-head stereo cassette deck made in Japan, designed for reliable playback and recording with metal, CrO2, and normal tapes.
Overview
The Akai CS-M01A is a stereo cassette deck manufactured by Akai in Japan from 1979 to 1981. It supports normal, chromium dioxide (CrO2), and metal tape types, with a 3-position tape selector for accurate bias and equalization settings. The deck features a Sendust recording and playback head optimized for metal tapes, a double-gap erase head, and an electronically controlled DC motor for stable tape transport. It includes Dolby NR with an MPX filter switch to reduce tape hiss, and a timer standby mechanism that allows timed recording or alarm playback when connected to an external timer.
Specifications
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 11W |
| External dimensions | Width 440x Height 143x Depth 250 mm |
| Weight | 5.0kg |
| Track system | 4-track 2-channel stereo |
| Wow and flutter | 0.05%WRMS(JIS) |
| Frequency characteristic (Normal Tape) | 30 Hz ~ 15 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Frequency characteristic (CrO2 Tape) | 30 Hz to 16 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Frequency characteristic (Metal Tape) | 30 Hz ~ 18 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Distortion Factor | 0.7% (1 kHz, 0 VU) (Metal Tape) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (metal tape) | 59 dB (3% THD level WTD) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio improvement with Dolby NR | When using DolbyNR : 5 dB improvement (1 kHz), 10 dB improvement (5 kHz or more) |
| Heads | Recording / Playback : Sendust head x1 |
| Heads | Erase : 1 double-gap erase head |
| Motor | One electronically controlled DC motor |
| Quick winding time | 90 seconds (with C-60 tape) |
| Input level | Line : 70mV/47k Ω |
| Input level | Microphone : 0.25mV/600 Ω |
| Output level | Line : 0 mv ~ 410 mv (0 vu at maximum) / 20k Ω or more |
| Output level | Headphone : 0 mv ~ 45mV/8 Ω |
Design
The CS-M01A uses a Sendust head with high magnetic flux density, specifically developed for use with metal tapes. It features an electronically controlled DC motor with strong torque and a proven long-life transport mechanism. The front panel includes a symmetrical twin VU meter for instant left/right level balance monitoring and a direct function switch that eliminates the need to press stop when changing operations. Simultaneously pressing the RWD and PLAY levers rewinds the tape to the beginning and automatically switches to playback mode. The deck includes a 3-position tape selector, a mono-microphone mechanism, and a Dolby NR system with MPX filter switch. A timer standby mechanism enables unattended recording or alarm playback when connected to an external timer.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.