Reel To Reel Tape Deck Repair. Akai GX-255 Vintage Open Reel Troubleshooting Guide. What Not To Do!

[@AcaRadio]

Last week I bought a GX-255, fantastic looking and in very good working state, but with tons of hiss on both tape and source, so I started searching all over to find some solution...and I found your video. Yesterday I got the C1845s to replace all the C458s and did the repair today. Wow! The hiss has gone completely, everything works perfectly. Thanks to your video.

[@Patrick-eb7um]

Have encountered on a few decks that the heads have grooves and wear to them, affects levels and frequency response.

[@MrStarbor]

Thats exactly what pips want to hear!!! Great narration pal!

[@jimtongas821]

Excellent content sir much appreciated. I have three vintage realtorials that I either got for dirt cheap or were given to me. Quality is still quality and all they need is a little TLC. Awesome sounding machines.

[@internettips854]

these videos ... are incredible. years of experienced paired with thorough explanation... amazing combo

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Wow, thank you!

[@deankq4adj125]

This is a beautiful piece of stereo equipment! Nice job restoring it!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you very much!

[@channelsixtysix066]

As a broadcast tech, I used to repair Otari MX-5050s, Revox A-77s, B-77s, A-700, PR-99 and Studer B-67s. My favorite was the Studer B-67, beautifully made and massively built. No expense spared in its construction. I have a number of Revox A-77s and a B-77 for my own machines.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you for sharing.

[@cjay2]

Firstly: Great video. Clear explanations, straightforward, no bs. You diagnosed this deck really well. And those 458's, I'm always surprised how they went bad after these years, as they were the go-to NPN small-signal back then. Also their matching PNP's (726?) need replacing for the same reason. Carry on!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, the 726 is another troublemaker. Thanks for sharing that.

[@Centerstagerentals]

@@vintageaudioaddict do you know a good place to order those parts?

[@herrtrigger7220]

@@Centerstagerentals check with Sparkos Labs, if they don't have it they may be able to point you in right direction, they're nice people

[@andycook7220]

What a fantastic video. Concise, entertaining, perfect!

[@janfroerup]

Greetings from Denmark ! - I just loved your video (and that AKAI model) also the narration - i'm a bit of a sucker for listening to different dialects ;) Happy Akaiiiiing

[@CirclesandSounds]

Absolutely love it! I’m digging into this vintage tape machine content deep since I got out my Dad’s Akai X-360D and cleaned it up 🙂

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Sounds great! Good luck with your project and thanks for watching.

[@CirclesandSounds]

@@vintageaudioaddict absolutely and thank you! 🙂

[@gime3steps]

Nice repair and restore, those decks sure have a lot of appeal. Always wanted one, but never pulled the trigger.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you! Yes, tape units take a bit more care and the tape in not cheap.

[@robcemento9605]

Wow, really great knowledge! That Akai was made during my high-school years!!!

[@conrad4667]

I’d have put some insulation sleeving or heat shrink tubing on the legs of the replacement rectifier at 6:15. Shining like brand new!

[@Produced_by_matusi]

Amazing video! I only have one issue with my Akai. When I go to record via the input 1/4 inch or rca, I get incredibly low input signal and it’s all high end. Very Tinny and thin. I can’t figure out the issue

[@statedace3]

Just picked up a Teac A-2300 SX 7" reel to reel a local diskjocky owned it and I even got a tote of reels with it..only about a handfull of then was worth keeping but I'll keep the reels and add some tape later to them.nice video

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Nice find! Thank you for watching.

[@animalcorvair]

my akia 635d wont record both left an right ,,i did change some 458s on the playback right as it was nasty sounding i bet i have sick ones now in the record preamp got 20 1845s coming... great vid too

[@TheJack4000111]

Thank you for the information.

[@GreenAvenueRecords]

I have a Tascam 42b and am having channel intermittent dropouts and low audio like you described with the transistor problem. After looking through the component lists I don’t see any 2sc-458’s used but I’m curious if there are transistors that are known to have problems from the same time period?

[@scottwhite2757]

Great upload,, I’ve always left my tapes on between listening , I won’t do that anymore.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks!

[@TKELCH]

That was an Outstanding video----Thanks!!!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonesvox1]

@vintageaudioaddict I acquired the same deck…plays in both directions fine but only records on one channel. Both inputs are hitting the meters and pass signal when monitoring Source but monitoring Tape reveals the issue. Since the playback fidelity is great, should I try to eliminate anything else before replacing all the original transistors? Really love your channel and repair approach👍🏼

[@bobsbits5357]

hi worked on alot of uk model reel to reel i love them as parts are easy to find have worked on 2 akai 1800ss decks i had a big job for me i had to change alot of bc182 the vu meter were just not right i was working on a brannell mini 8 all RS parts stock if i need parts like the way you do the video i allways said no need of any faces in video's i did a demo run of video along time a go works out the same

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Very useful, thanks a lot! Actually, the same applies to Akai Gx-625, which is a bigger, but very similar machine.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you for sharing.

[@alexstewart8097]

Hope you got the right and left channels to their optimum sound ing levels so they can work good together , as intended by the manufacturer. Those new transistors SEEm to be made of a more solid material . By the way, beautiful those 2 doves that started it all, like that ALso beautiful R2R machine , which just needed some reel TLC...

[@truck9moon100]

Priceless information. Thank=You Very Much.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Very welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@pedrocavasos100]

Informative video thank you I own 2 akai reel to reel decks one of them has similar symptoms as your r2r noisy knobs should I go through and replace those problematic resistors you mentioned in your video

[@philvale5724]

Hi Vintage Audio Addict, I am new to your work shop, very interesting, PHIL FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOULIN FRANCE.

[@nazeerabdulrahuman9526]

Thank you for the useful information

[@antoniojustodasilva3260]

Another great video. Love your enthusiasm about vintage gear. Thank you for sharing. I have the bigger brother of that deck , Akai Gx 525, they are great machines. 👍👍👍👍

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for watching! Yes, Akai made some really good decks back in the day.

[@gregoryjohnson4885]

Have a GX-625 forward, rev, or stop. No light up or movement . What transistor/capacitor should be changed ? I will pull the board and so one esle will put in parts.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Really impossible to say. If the unit appears dead with nothing operating the power supply would be the place to start after checking that the main fuse is not blown.

[@shaunmalone1]

Hi I don’t have any playback etc could you please tell me what type of replacement bridge rectifier you used..part number? Thanks

[@lox_5017]

Would this bridge rectifier problem exist also in a Teac A-3300SX Reel to reel machine?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Bridge rectifiers are usually pretty reliable but yes they do go bad in Teac's from time to time the same as any other piece of vintage equipment. Your 3300SX being the age that it is it's not unusual to have some issues.

[@pedrocavasos100]

Is there an update to those resistors or do we just go OEM

[@animalcorvair]

yes they make that diode ksp202g 200v 2 amp my capstan motor wont run an my diode opened up...dig-key has them

[@RandyWBrown]

Great brakes on that deck! Looks great now. Teac 2340r worth $100? Comes with 4 pre-recorded tapes and three 7" blanks. Person said "was working when I stored it. It has the tape left on it just like the one here ☹️ he said he'd consider $75. Oh he did say it powered up whatever that means, could mean one bulb lit lol. Another great video thanks!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for your kind words. I'd spend $75 or $100 on it. Just expect to spend a little bit of time getting her up and running properly.

[@RandyWBrown]

@@vintageaudioaddict Just what I wanted to hear! Thank you very much for responding.

[@midmodaudio6576]

great video

[@drummerboy918]

Where are you located? I just got this exact deck, and I would love to have a pro take a look at it and fix it.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Hi, I'm not a pro just a hobbyist. I only work on the equipment in my collection. Thanks for watching.

[@Centerstagerentals]

Nice job , I really appreciate you teaching, and you are a really good broadcaster! Do you do private consulting?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks a lot for the kind words but I'm just a hobbyist not a professional. I only work on the equipment in my collection.

[@benellis1301]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. I started research into refurbishing my AKAI GX-255, and your video was the first thing I saw. How do you test that the tape speed is correct?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks, glad it helped you out. You use a special test tape to test the speed correctly. That's probably not something that you have. You then can use the tape with a wow/flutter meter. The speed will probably be fine as long as the tape path is operating correctly.

[@benellis1301]

@@vintageaudioaddict Good to know. I wondered if if was something similar to setting the timing on a car using a strobe. Thanks again.

[@larryshaver3568]

what did you use to replace the bridge rectifier?

[@harveysvintageaudio]

Nice channel.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks and welcome

[@curioso....]

Great video! What about record? Did it work?

[@maxbg]

I have an akai x-165d with an intermittent right channel, going from soft hissing to loud. Can someone advise on which component is likely to cause this?

[@TrackAnimatorsMEDIA]

Good video.

[@stephenlawson6009]

How do you repair a no rewind on a Craig 2024 reel to reel recorder

[@stephenlawson6009]

I had the wrong model number , I have a Craig 2402 4 head reel to reel recorder that will not re wind. Everything else seems fine. How would one fix that problem ? Thanks

[@anuarivanov6790]

Have you worked with Technics 1506? The question has ceased to work in play mode, the right motor. The motor itself is working. Could it be the transistors?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

No, I haven't. Technics made really great open reel decks. It's so difficult to say what your issue could be. sorry that I can't help you out.

[@orangie8426]

I have a sony reel to reel needs some TLC and repairs... but i could watch people repair these machines for decades... It's fun to watch .. But i myself try and repair my recorder??... i can not do that!! I understand things like capacitors and transistors and the mechanics of the machine but if i tried to take it apart, I'd never get it back together again.. And as i said, i know what for example what a capacitor is... But wouldn't know how to do the soldering work or how to test the cap and all the other components.. And even if i knew how to test it with say a volt ohm meter... i wouldn't know what the rating should be or what the reading will be if it's bad.. or what even the right properly rated replacement parts for caps and transistors should be for my recorder.. I'd only break the machine more than it already is.. The reel to reel tape machine i have now also has a few mechanical issues too.. I just wouldn't attempt repairing it myself.. That's just a bad idea.. If i could find someone close to where i am, to repair and "tune up" my reel to reel recorder I'd gladly (and rather) pay someone to do it...

[@JayanthKDass]

Thank you very very much for this beeeeautiful video!👍👌😊

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching.

[@animalcorvair]

got my 635d recording again changed out the 458s...just bought a 255 really nice shape reverse does not work...next job to fix lol

[@animalcorvair]

oh ran it today the 255 is now working both directions ,,a lasy cap???

[@BoxerTys]

Thanks for this video, i bought a GX-255 today and will get it sunday, it's from the first owner and look as new, and play like new, with the original dust cover, do you recommend to replace the 458 transistors although everything works fine ?

[@danielbdbe]

thanks for your videos and sharing your knowledge . Could you let us know with which transistors are you replacing the 2SC458 ? thanks daniel from France .

[@cjay2]

At 7:54 he shows that he replaces them with 2SC1845.

[@danielbdbe]

@@cjay2 thanks merci ! I did not noticed it .

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome, Daniel! Thanks cjay2 for answering his question.

[@juanacevedo8236]

Hello.i got issue with my akai gx 266 ll dont reverse play stop only if i live my finger in to botom if i let go keep play dont stop . Problem with botton.can you tell me what wrong with? Thank

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I really can't say for sure. These decks are 40 + years old. Almost all of them need a complete service to operate properly.

[@yorick3441]

Hello, I basically have the same one, everything original, mint condition. Ive looked all over the internet but I couldn't find a price for it anywhere. What would this one sell for nowadays? Thank you.

[@FLH3official]

I like your video, I like vintage audio* And consequently I subscribe to your channel 😄 (*marrantz 4270, ditton 66, revox B77, sony TC630, kenwood kx1060, denon drm3, jvc jla40 and some other stuff who need care in the bassment when I'll be retired...)

[@pensamientosconvozalta]

thank you!!!

[@iraweiss517]

Thanks for the great video as always. I have an Advent Model 100 Noise Reduction Unit from 1970. It has several 2N-4058 and 2N-5458 transistors on the record and playback boards. Are these transistors the same as the aforementioned 458? If yes, what should hey be replaced with? TY.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome. I'm not 100% sure about the 2N-4058 or the 2N-5458 in your Advent. The 2CS458's I replaced with KSC1845's.

[@iraweiss517]

@@vintageaudioaddict TY I need to have the power cord replaced and I'll ask the tech at Audiowright Store about it.

[@BTom16]

Very nice.

[@jaismohamad1497]

I had a teac. Sounded great but sadly had to let it go as I couldn't get new song recorded.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Sorry to hear that. I have a few different Teac's. They are really good decks.

[@jaismohamad1497]

@@vintageaudioaddict yes Sir. The best part you can play your favourite music non stop. Sunday mornings I will clean the heads and after that it's music!

[@cdogg86]

Do you sell any of these?

[@johnlomasney]

Good info

[@jmfloyd23]

I owned the GX-255 Loved that machine. Had several issues with it and became unrepairable RIP

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Sorry to hear that you lost her.

[@jmfloyd23]

@@vintageaudioaddict Thank you, I have several machines to fill the void.

[@jmmbos]

3 issues about this thing . If you change speed during recording you hear a shiftment upwards in frequency response ,BUT it also changes at the mid and lower spectrum . That's not okay and not lineair . If you press wide range , you have to listen closely to the sound balance , wether it doesn't changes or not , between left and right channel.. Equalizers that fail.. And if you change direction at the end of forward play , sometimes the tape rolls off the guidings and you're in trouble.. The pressure of pinchroller and pinch roller flatness should be perfectly fine , otherwise you're in trouble .. Futhermore , this deck is able to record double mono at half track both sides .. And when you stick a needle in the small space at the wide range switch at the mode exactly in the middle between low noise and wide range , you get extra frequency respons . Nice for using old low noise tapes . IT"s Not distorted / distortion .. I found the video very stupid .. It's for dummys Sorry

[@robertdavis5714]

Appreciate the tip of 458 transistors.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your very welcome.

[@iraweiss517]

Thanks for the great video as always. I have an Advent Model 100 Noise Reduction Unit from 1970. It has several 2N-4058 and 2N-5458 transistors on the record and playback boards. Are these transistors the same as the aforementioned 458? If yes, what should hey be replaced with? TY.

[@YawnDogg]

Can you tell me where you buy your tape head cleaner ? Haven’t been able to find the Lasermedia for sale anywhere

[@lox_5017]

Since you don't do repair work for others could you recommend someone or place of business to send my teac machine who does good work?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I don't know of anyone personally. I suggest that you go to audiokarma.org , you can probably find someone there that can recommend someone.

[@moldyoldie7888]

Sam Palermo of Skywave Broadcast Engineering used to repair Teac decks.

[@deropol05]

A real shame the previous owner neglected this deck like that.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Yes, it is but this GX-255 can now live on. She may be operating in another 40 years. Thanks for watching!

[@alexstewart8097]

@@vintageaudioaddict But did you fix it the way its Maker wants it..or are you taking some liberties of your own...? My personal experiences looking back 40 years , taught me that probably won't work...Shema! You hear..?k

[@moldyoldie7888]

@@alexstewart8097 I have a similar Akai that had playback transistor failure on one channel. I modified it to handle tapes over-recorded on other machines. I'm not sorry I modified it.

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Muy buen trabajo

[@solstudios.uy2024]

I live in Southern California, and I am looking for help with my AKAI GX-255. Do you know of a place or a person who could help diagnose and fix my deck? The play button works in the forward direction, and all the other buttons do not work... All of the other functions with the exception of the deck buttons for FFW, STOP, and REC, seem to be OK.

[@BogoEN]

Does this unit have the glass heads? If so should you be concerned about shedding tape oxide? Great video btw. I’m currently fixing up an AKAI 4000ds mkii

[@vcoaster]

I have an Akai GX-270D. When the tape begins to play it almost immediately slips off the capstan causing the reel to speed up to FF speed. Everything is clean and in apparent good condition. Any suggestions on how to correct this?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Could be a tape tension issue if everything else checks out.

[@vcoaster]

@@vintageaudioaddict I agree. Is there a way to increase the tension?

[@skulman1000]

Anyone had to replace the motor on something like this? I’m trying to get one going but I’m pretty sure the motor is bad.

[@olddodger7178]

Where can you get blank tapes?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

eBay for one but there are other sources. Google "blank open reel tapes" or "blank reel to reel tapes"

[@nekansasfisherman2334]

I don’t know why but the last 2 cans of deoxit I have got you couldn’t hardly get the straw in it.😬

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for sharing.

[@PeraltaFishingLife]

I’ve acquired a Akai M10 from my uncle. I’d like to get it running again and surprise him for Christmas. I’m afraid to work on it because I’m not familiar with working on it. He purchased it overseas when he was in the military. I live in California (Palm Springs )and I’d like to get it to someone who could help

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Mui lindo grabador

[@EricLDC]

My reel to reel player is trying to kill me its suddenly shocking me. Advice?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Find an experienced technician to take a look at the unit.

[@asmallwhitedog0479]

Do you have any au 101 Sansui amp parts units ? Does anyone reading this ?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

No, I don't. Here in the USA, eBay would be a place to look.

[@bobkrueger194]

Chris...your videos are always inspirational. I am working on my Pioneer 1020L and there are a number of transistors that probably are on the naughty list. Do you have a good cross reference for these vintage transistors? I have this beast ripped apart and now is the time to make the replacements if needbe Here is what is in my R2R: 2SC1344 2SC1000-BL 2SK30-Y 2SA672-B/C 2SC1213-B/C 2SC789-O/Y 2SC1444-O/Y Any others on the naughty list? Thanks.

[@pablobaldomir9430]

Saludos :)

[@packratswhatif.3990]

Sweeeeeeeeet !

[@vintageaudioaddict]

She is a sweet little open reel. Thanks for watching!

[@umeshupadhyay...]

These machines always sounded very nice and should have been preserved accordingly.The previous owner must have jumped to the CD players .

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I think this GX-255 just broke down and the previous owners put her in the closet.

[@umeshupadhyay...]

@@vintageaudioaddict Yes, this must have hapoened. Regards. Umesh C U

[@gregoryjohnson4885]

UV lights, light up

[@hubbsllc]

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks great! Those 458's are a problem in vintage gear of all types.

[@feedbackelectronics]

♥️💘💝👍💝💘♥️

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for your visit.

[@carrollharley4487]

Do you repair

[@olledahlquist3784]

Interesting video, but why do you remove almost every inhalation? As a viewer/listener I get very stressed by listening to your voice over without almost any pauses. You sound so stressed, even if the content is good.

[@harryconover289]

If you would like to repair and keep a real real good one worth having the kind with always consider the worst of the real real sorry the best but they were also much better than that Otari that’s probably the best overall and packs professional stuffed with meat run all day OK who is never a professional aunt Vera barely amateur

[@Moonlightshadow-lq4fr]

Dunno why you got your knickers in a twist over the tape oxide residue, that could happen in one minute of tape operation if the tape is old and suffers from sticky/shed syndrome. Geez calm down man!

[@МихаилМишин-п7е]

Класс!