Hello all,

I use a 1730D-SS as my main deck, and I've recently noticed some problems with my right channel. I'll turn the deck on, and all the channels "pop" on after about half a second. The problem is that after a second or so once having "popped," the right channel makes this clicking sound that repeats several times within 5 to 7 seconds. Once this has happened, I begin to hear this awful sound, along with recurring clicks. Its very similar to the rushing sound in your ear if you have water in it, or an unusually bad ear infection.

Now, could this be generated by some problem with a capacitor inside? Or is this a side-effect from dirty heads?

February vacation is coming up, and I plan to be doing some work cleaning some components, and it would be a great time to open this deck up and give it a through check-up, as I don't believe its been calibrated since the early eighties, and possibly make a repair. I tried opening the deck once before, just for oiling about 4 months ago, and called it quits when I couldn't figure out how to take the function levers off without scratching the metal bezel. Maybe someone could, err, give me some insight as to how I can sucessfully get this thing back up to date?

It could be one of several things. First, check and make sure there isn't a broken wire on a head - they are very thin and fragile - and that all the cables are okay. Otherwise, it could be either a very dirty or worn potentiometer (volume or level control) or a problem with the right channel circuitry. This is gonna take some troubleshooting and it would help if you have a service manual.

Don't overlook the possibility that it could be something else like your receiver or preamp.

To me it sounds like you have either a transistor going south or else a biasing resistor that has changed value over time or even has opened.

I admit that I have not seen the insides of a deck like yours in so long that I can no longer even remember what they look like. My specialty is turntables. The last tapedeck I repaired was a Sony TC-388, some four years ago, and a Nak 600 about three years ago. However, there are pretty general reasons why a problems like your Akai has will occur. Start with the easiest solution and work back from there.

Good luck and be careful. Electricity can hurt you so always take proper precautions.

It can be a transistor giving up, but do following test first:
Because your deck is a Quad model, does both channel 3 + 4 create same sound after warmup ?
Try recording on channel 1 + 3 and switch between Tape/Source when you recording listening with headphones at the same time plugged in to the Akai.
Set the 2/4 playback switch to 2 channel.
Any pink noise when recording or ?

After testing recording on channel 1 + 3, do the same with channel 2+4 and make notes what it does.
Could just be the two tape/source switches that is dirty, and not release the 2 switches inside properly.
About taking the play-levers off, on the top of the lever is a phillips screw, loosen it 3 turns and carefully pull the handle straight out.

Good Luck with the trouble shooting. :thmbsp: http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx/B58.jpg