Akai GX-4000D (1978–1984)

Name: Akai GX-4000D
Brand: Akai

A Japanese-made, 4-track stereo reel-to-reel recorder with GX ferrite heads, released in October 1978 as the last model in Akai's 4000 series.

Overview

The Akai GX-4000D is a 4-track, 2-channel stereo/monaural reel-to-reel tape recorder made in Japan by Akai Electric Company Ltd. It came out in October 1978 and was the final version of the Akai 4000 series, after the 4000DS and 4000DB. It was built for consumer high-fidelity use. It has three heads, with separate record, playback and erase heads, so it can monitor off the tape. It runs ¼-inch tape at 7½ and 3¾ ips and takes reels up to 7 inches. Akai marketed it as a mid high-fidelity component. Mechanically it looks a lot like the earlier 4000DS.

Specifications

Tape Format	¼ inch, 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural
Tape Speeds	7½ ips (19 cm/s), 3¾ ips (9.5 cm/s)
Heads	3 (1 x GX record, 1 x GX playback, 1 x erase), Glass & Crystal Ferrite
Frequency Response	30 Hz – 24 kHz ±3 dB at 7½ ips, 30 Hz – 16 kHz ±3 dB at 3¾ ips
Wow and Flutter	0.08% WRMS at 7½ ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	60 dB (JIS)
Inputs	Microphone: 0.25 mV / 600 Ω, Line: 70 mV / 100 kΩ, DIN: 2 mV / 10 kΩ
Outputs	Line: 0.775 V (0 VU) / ≥50 kΩ, DIN: 0.3 V (0 VU), Headphone: 0–100 mV / 8 Ω
Power	AC 100V, 50/60 Hz, 36W
Dimensions	440 x 315 x 230 mm
Weight	13.2 kg
Equalization	NAB
Auto Reverse	No

Design

The GX-4000D uses GX glass and crystal ferrite heads for low noise and durability. Two large mechanical levers run the transport. The left one does play/record and the right one does fast forward/rewind. Changing tape speed is a manual job: you remove a metal collar from the capstan. The collar is on for 7½ ips and off for 3¾ ips. It has a Sound-on-Sound (SOS) function, independent line and microphone input circuits for mixing, and separate level controls for line and headphone outputs. The tape selector switch has 'low noise' and 'wide range' settings. The tape counter is a mechanical toothed wheel. The head cover comes off for maintenance, and there is a pause function and a source/tape monitor switch. It was originally silver, and the black version is rare. The GX-4000DB variant replaces SOS with Dolby noise reduction and was not made in black.

Context

The GX-4000D was a re-introduction of Akai's 4000 series, launched in October 1978 when open-reel tape was past its peak but still popular. It followed the 4000DS, 4000DS MKII, 4000D PRO and 4000DB, and it is the final variant in the 4000 series lineup.

Market

The Akai GX-4000D had an original price of ¥69,800 in 1978. The GX-4000DB variant swaps the SOS function for Dolby noise reduction. It exists, but it was not made in black.