AKAI GX-210: Compact Stereo with exclusive glass-crystal head.

In the hall N1 of the Retro Audio Museum in Lelystad, the Netherlands, a collection of eleven distinguished AKAI tape recorders, crafted between 1963 and 1976, stand as sonic history relics. Among these venerable machines, one reigns supreme – the AKAI GX-210, born of Japanese ingenuity, which graced the world for four years from 1973 to 1977 with its presence.



Compact yet commanding, the GX-210 boasts AKAI's exclusive glass-crystal head, a testament to unparalleled audio fidelity. Its three-motor drive system, a paragon of durability in its epoch, ensures seamless playback with automatic reverse, guided by a robust 2-lever control mechanism.

Central to its sonic prowess lies the GX crystal head, used exclusively at AKAI. Unlike its contemporaries, this head eschews the commonplace ferrite in favor of a single crystallized core, eliminating the risk of irregular gap widening. This singular construction harnesses the full magnetic potential, bestowing the GX-210 an expansive frequency range from 30Hz to 25kHz. Coupled with a meticulously crafted glass enclosure, the GX head offers both fidelity and longevity, resisting wear with a surface as hard as the truth.

Effortless playback in both directions is achieved through ingenious automation, obviating the need for cumbersome reel reversals. With the mere placement of a switching tape at desired intervals, the GX-210 gracefully shifts direction upon contact, a seamless dance orchestrated by its manual reverse heads.

Beneath its sleek exterior lies a technology of precision mechanics. A self-lubricating hysteresis synchronous motor, akin to its GX head counterpart, ensures longevity, and its oil circulation is regulated with the utmost care. Dual cellulose fiber filters keep the oil pristine, safeguarding the motor's vitality. The GX-210 embodies mechanical excellence in every revolution, complemented by two external rotor motors and belt-driven with finesse.

Adaptable to the nuances of different tape materials, the GX-210 accommodates a tape selector switch, easily broadening its sonic palette. Front and back belt control, automatic stop, and a quick stop device further underscore its mechanical reliability, while built-in spool holders and a DIN socket with input selector switch add to its versatility.

In the history of tape recording, the AKAI GX-210 is a real example of innovation and craftsmanship. A perfection of form and function beckons listeners to journey back to an era where fidelity was not just a goal but a promise – fulfilled in every whisper and crescendo, etched into the magnetic tape for eternity by the magic crystal.