Hello,
I recently purchased an Akai GX-265D that I am in the process of tuning up. So far, I had to clean the swithes under the head block because I had no audio in forward and backwards audio in reverse. After cleaning it records and plays in both directions perfectly.

My problem is: I am experiencing an irritating problem. When in 3 3/4ips, after fast winding or sometimes just pressing stop, and actuating play, the deck takes a couple of seconds to slow down to the correct speed--then it is fine--with no issues. This bugs me in recording because the first few seconds of the recordings that I make sound like they are dragging up to the correct speed. My GX-260D (a very similiar machine) never does this. Is this normal?

Also it won't do a continous automatic reverse (reverse to forward). I only see one sensing pole--my gx-260d has two poles. Why would Akai build a machine like this?--even my plastic gx-215D does a continous reverse. I'm I missing something?

BTW--For some reason, it sounds great--far better at lower speeds then my Teac, Pioneer, and Technics. Using Hitachi UDO Tape, it A-B comparison is nearly perfect.

I saw something on the internet that might help you if you are still having this problem. The problem was similar and was said to be fixed by moving the AC power switch (internal, I guess) from 110 vac to 120 vac. Hope this helps.

I have a GX-265D machine too and have had a very annoying problem with it for years. That is, often during playback, the output will saturate high and get quite distorted - sounds like it's going to blow out the speakers in my system. I've had it to a couple repair shops and they weren't able to fix it, although the one shop said spraying contact cleaner around the area of the head seemed to help. I've done this - helps sometimes; sometimes not. I saw something from the old forum from 2001 that some other folks had similar problems and contact cleaner was suggested in the record/playback switch area. Does anyone know if this works? Thanks
oldtymer55

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the tip. Moving the voltage switch pins from 110v to 120v (External connector with the fuse in the middle on mine) did help the problem with my gx-265d. The lights dimmed somewhat so I think that it helps the components inside operate at a cooler temperature. Somehow I think that the TIP48 transistor on the servo board has something to do with this problem.

And yes, my right channel will distort loudly (the VU meter will swing wildly to the right--very irritating. It only has done this at 110volts. Since I changed the voltage, it hasn't happened. I cleaned the upper head switches but not the rec switches inside the deck at the bottom.

Let me know if you figure out that issue. Seems like preamp playback transistor--but who knows?

I think old capacitors in the audio amplifier and the TIP48 servo transistor are causing the problems you mentioned. Once I also had a GX-270D with capstan motor problems. After replacing the big motor run capacitor the problems were gone.
The GX-270D has the same servo citcuitry board as the GX-265D/GX-230D.
I used to have a couple of GX-265D's some years ago. For some reason they all had little problems, which makes me think the GX-260D is a bit of a more stable deck throughout the years. Unfortunately it lacks the pause function and the direct drive capstan. Other than that IMHO the 260D looks much nicer than the 265D.

Frank

Thanks Frank,

I bought 2 TIP48 transistors. I figure that I would install one on the GX-265D and the other on my GX-280D-SS--that runs at 100 ips!. My 280d-ss sounds like a chainsaw--LOL!

- I Know. In the later Akai's that use a Servo Capstan Circuit, lower end sets use the TIP48's which all fail over time. This transistor needs to be a very high peak voltage part, and at such voltage peaks, the TIP48 only handles around 1/2 an Amp, while the Akai Capstan Motors typically require almost twice that amount of current. So the TIP48 parts start to fail in various strange ways. One sign is running at full speed; another is ups and downs of speed while running. The most common is running fast then going to proper speed over a 3 to 10 second period, this is seen when changing from a faster speed to slower speed, or when pressing Play. The 'Akai Servo-Fix Kit' that I've sold for the past 8 years contains a proprietary, special replacement High Voltage transistor to replace the TIP48, which can handle over 400% more current than a TIP48 at the voltage required. Also some of the bridge rectifiers Akai used in the Servo Circuits were known to fail over time, this was in Service Bulletin information Akai sent to repair centers back in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

It has become known that almost all of the 'specialty' low noise transistors in the audio preamp sections of all Akai's RTR's made between 1972 and 1979 fail in strange ways. Some get hissy and fail to pass any signal, others just get noisey but continue to work; other failure modes include rising distortion with signal levels, or distorted sound without other types of problems. Most of thesre transistors fail by slowly losing their Beta over time. Beta is the nominal gain or amplification factor. Most of these specialty low noise transistors have to be replaced the Akai circuits in closely 'matched pairs' or the circuit won't work after you install replacements, or if it does work, you will have much higher distortion in the circuit. Certain parts at certain voltages might cause that 'blasting level' problems, also bad soldering can result in this type of intermittant problem.


-Steven L. Bender, Designer of Vintage Audio Equipment

Hi, I'm looking at buying a GX-265D and wondered, aside from these already mentioned, if there were any other problems I should look out for. What is the overall performance and reliability of this machine in comparison to say a Teac or a Sony? It is quite cheap and also wondered what would be an average price for one in average condition. Thanks...

For the record, I think that the GX-265D is good looking, sounding set and really stands out in a stereo system with its lighter smoked dust cover. However, mine sits on the shelf because of the aforementioned capacitor/TIP48 transistors. If you like the way it looks, I recommend the GX-260D over the GX-265D hands down! Both sets will require the head switch to be cleaned every 10 years or so. The GX-260D is belt driven--but never, ever has speed problems associated with the mid-70's Direct Drive Sets. The GX-260D and 265D have the same 4 head setup (2 of the heads are combo rec/play giving you a six head function).

The GX-265 does operate quieter than the 260d (Belt vs Direct). The 260D has continous reverse (forward to reverse to forward) and the GX-265D does not (forward to reverse to STOP). The 260D has sound on sound built in--I can record with classic stereo echo! The 260D has ball bearing driven input controls.

As far as price, in excellent conditions both of these sets can sell for $100-150 w/ the 260D selling slightly less because it is older.

Good luck...