1976 AKAI GX-230 D: a machine to be loved by everyone.

In high-fidelity audio, the AKAI GX-230 D Stereo Tape Recorder stands as a formidable contender, often hailed by fans as superior even to the revered Revox machines. This sleek piece of engineering just arrived at the Retro Audio Museum in Lelystad and deserves a closer look.



At the heart of the GX-230 D lies an advanced AC Servo Motor, designed for direct capstan drive, which features an intricate system with 114 gears on both the rotor and stator sides. Including a detector coil and magnet on the stator side ushers in a cutting-edge pulse detection system. Unlike conventional systems that detect every pulse, this one operates with extraordinary precision, detecting once every 114 pulses. The result? Significantly enhanced pulse output and unparalleled tape travel stability.

This sophisticated pulse is amplified and refined through a series of circuits before being channeled to the DC Amplifier. The amplified signal then flows through a diode block, meticulously controlling the motor's current to ensure steadfast motor revolutions and tape speed. This innovative approach not only simplifies the construction but also eliminates heat generation and drastically reduces ripple, elevating the listening experience to new heights.

The GX-230 D boasts three GX Heads: one for forward playback, one for reverse playback, and a combination GX recording/erase head. Crafted from single crystal cores and mounted in glass, these heads are renowned for their wear-free characteristics. This meticulous construction ensures a perfectly linear head gap, facilitating a focused field system and optimal head-to-tape contact. The outcome is a broader dynamic range and an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, promising pristine audio reproduction.

Achieving flawless tape speed and tension in both directions is no small feat, yet the GX-230 D accomplishes this with aplomb. The symmetrical head block layout and an impedance roller and tension arms guarantee even tape travel. These components harmonize within the GX Head and AC Servo Motor system, delivering a stable and enduring performance.

The AKAI GX-230 D offers automatic and manual reverse playback, providing flexibility and convenience. Automatic reverse playback is effortlessly triggered by applying a piece of sensing foil to the tape at the desired point. For those who prefer manual control, reverse buttons can be operated at any time during playback, ensuring that your listening experience is never interrupted. The user will enjoy the unusual push button mechanical operation (piano key transport control), which is more friendly to operate than the normal type AKAI mechanism.

The quality of the sound is on top, no doubt: the frequency response is 30 Hz to 23,000 Hz (+/- 3dB) with distortion less than 1% and Signal to Noise Ratio better than 60 dB. The retail price was 1100 DM in 1976, which is equal to 1250 euros for today.