6/24/2023 0 Comments Akai 726d tapedeck![]() ADC is being used single-ended and not balanced which loses 6db of dynamic range.Measurements have not been offset to 0db.Bitrates all set to match between DAC and ADC etc (96khz).SoundBlaster responsible for Digital-to-Digital conversion only.Toslink connects from the ADC to SoundBlaster 1240.Audio Precision results for the ADC can be found on Tomi Nihitila's website: Click Here.The SMSL DAC has already been reviewed and measured courtesy of our friend Amir: Click Here.However, I've wanted to have a go at testing and measuring something for a while now, and this felt like the perfect starting point.Ĭhain of devices (in loop): Windows PC -> SMSL DAC -> Akai GX-620 -> Nihtila ADC -> SoundBlaster 1240 (via Toslink) -> Windows PC ![]() I don't imagine it is particularly well calibrated, and the tape heads have probably seen better days. However, I do find there is a bit too much bass when recording to tape. I have always been quite surprised by how good this thing sounds when listening to the source. Man I was hoping it would be feeling better today.I replaced all the dodgy Akai transistors and swapped out the electrolytic capacitors whilst I was at it. Guess it's back to the shop to see if they can figure it out. Update from today, the tendency to slow down and stop is back. It could take a while to get it back to full health. Add to that the fact that it has not been used in years. I hope I don't have to take it back to the shop but it's a 31 year old deck by my estimation from the info on vintage cassette. It was sounding perfect after getting those interconnects properly seated. It started shutting off and playing slow but I have 30 days warranty on the work so I want to give it some time. *tongue* Actually it might have to go in for another little check up. I've run this deck about 4 plus hours today and it was beginning to act like it was tired so it is resting now. The collars on the new cables seemed a bit tight so I pulled them, loosened the collars a little and they seated perfectly. Got the flash light out so I could see better and sure enough on the receiver end both right sides were not fully seated. I kept hearing a little something on playback and record and it finally hit me, that's the sound you get when the interconnects are not fully seated. It is big, heavy, and looks so fine next to my Sansui. Mainly during record do you push play and record or just record? I just have the feeling I am really going to like this tape deck. Hi-fi engine didn't have it listed so I have some questions for owners/users of similar tape decks. I still haven't found an owners manual for this one. *thumbsup* It also has Dolby B another *bigthumbup* from me on that too. Might or might not with this one unless I can come up with some money for one of those Phoenix tapes some time. Although I have never used metal tape in all the years I had my JVC KD-D3. This one can play/record normal, type II, and metal. So I told them if they can't find the right ones don't worry about that I can put some soft light on the face to brighten them up using some battery powered led lights. I'm hoping they can put lights in the VU meters but understand the bulbs are not an easy find. Getting kind of antsy to get my new baby back so I can play some tape and record some too. I picked it up for about $20 and am having the shop I use give it some attention right now. This deck is new to me but been around since about 1979 according to the Vintage Cassette site.
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