AKAI GX-280D
A three-motor, three-head stereo tape deck with direct capstan drive and GX heads, designed for high-fidelity 4-track recording and playback.
Overview
The AKAI GX-280D is a stereo reel-to-reel tape deck manufactured by Akai Electric Co., Ltd. It features a 4-track 2-channel system for stereo or monaural recording and playback, with selectable tape speeds of 19 cm/s and 9.5 cm/s. The deck uses a three-motor configuration: one direct capstan drive motor with servo control, and two 6-pole eddy current outer rotor motors for the supply and take-up reels. It includes independent microphone and line inputs, supports sound-on-sound recording, and has a direct function change mechanism for transport mode switching. The unit is equipped with an auto stop/auto shut-off function and an S.R.T. (Super Range Tape) button for optimizing bias and equalization with low-noise tapes.
Specifications
| Track system | 4-track 2-channel stereo / monaural system |
| Maximum use reel | No. 7 |
| Tape Speed | 19cm/s, 9.5cm/s (± 0.5%) |
| Wow and flutter | 0.08% RMS or less (19cm/s) 0.12% RMS or less (9.5cm/s) |
| Recording (playback) compensation characteristics | NAB characteristics |
| Frequency characteristic | 30 Hz to 24,000 Hz ± 3 dB (19cm/s) 30 Hz to 19,000 Hz ± 3 dB (9.5cm/s) |
| Distortion factor | 1.5% or less at 1000 Hz, 0 VU |
| S/N | 50 dB or more |
| Erasure rate | 70 dB or more |
| Crosstalk | Mono : 70 dB or higher Stereo : 50 dB or more |
| Recording bias frequency | 100kHz |
| Heads | 4-track stereo / monaural recording / reproducing head 4-track erase head |
| Motor | 2-speed servo control outer rotor motor (1 for Direct Capstan Drive) 6 Pole Eddy Current Outer Rotor Motor (one each for feed and take-up reel) |
| Fast forward / rewind time | 60/75 seconds (350m tape specification), 60/50Hz |
| Recording time | 2-hour stereo recording (9.5cm/s, 370m tape specification) |
| Output jack | Line (2 systems) : 1.23 V (0 VU) / 100 Ω (optimum load impedance : 20k Ω or more) Headphone (1 system) : 30 mv ~ 40mV/8 Ω |
| Input jack | Microphone (2 systems) : 0.8mV/10k Ω Line (2 systems) : 150mV/150k Ω |
| DIN jack | 0.4V/50mV (High) 5 mv (Low) / 68k Ω |
| Semiconductor used | Transistor : 39 Diode : 32 pcs Linear ICs : 2 units |
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC ~ 240 V, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 33W ~ 130W |
| External dimensions | Width 435x Height 460x Depth 260 mm |
| Weight | 21kg |
Design
The GX-280D uses a three-motor, three-head configuration with a direct capstan drive motor and servo control circuit. It employs two separate eddy current outer rotor motors for the supply and take-up reels. The recording and playback head uses GX (Glass & Crystal Ferrite) technology, featuring a glass-hardened gap and crystal ferrite core for minimal wear and excellent frequency response. The deck includes an auto stop/auto shut-off function, an S.R.T. button for optimizing bias and EQ with low-noise tapes, and supports sound-on-sound recording. Independent microphone and line inputs allow mixing during recording, and a direct function change mechanism enables quick switching between transport modes.
Context
The AKAI GX-280D is part of Akai's premium line of tape decks featuring GX (Glass and Crystal Ferrite) heads, designed for high-fidelity audio recording and playback.
Market
The original price of the GX-280D was £239.95.
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