Ampex AX-50 (1971)
The Ampex AX-50 is a 4-track, 2-channel stereo reel-to-reel tape deck introduced in 1971. It was the cheaper sibling to the Ampex AX-300, aimed at the hi-fi enthusiast who wanted Ampex performance at a lower price. The deck has three heads (erase, record, playback) and three tape speeds: 1⅞, 3¾, and 7½ ips. One simple function control knob handles all the transport operations, so the front panel stays clean and uncluttered.
High Fidelity (September 1971, p.15) ran an advertisement that described the AX-50 as having “three of the strongest heads money can buy.” The original price was about $250, which put it well within reach of serious home recordists. Very little detailed documentation survives beyond these period references. The Archive has located no service manual or owner’s manual for this model, and collector forums confirm that no factory service literature appears to exist. A known wear issue is the drive rubber wheel, which can harden after decades and affect tape transport.
Known specifications from period sources:
- Type: Stereo reel-to-reel tape deck (4-track, 2-channel)
- Heads: 3 (erase, record, playback)
- Speeds: 1⅞, 3¾, 7½ ips
- Original price: $250 (assumed USD)
- Year introduced: 1971
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