akai gx-280d reel to reel questions

[HurstRocks]

i got a akai gx-280d some years back of ebay it plays and i quess it plays well but this the sound levels seem low to me and the av meters bearly move on playback . and theres a button that says (s.r.t.) i have know idea what it dos or even if it works. :scratch2: any help with this would be great

[enewcombjr]

You sure your heads are clean? Head covers are removable for a good view if not sure you are getting them really clean.

Tape guides and pressure roller moving into place and machine holding tape onto heads properly?

If put into Recording Mode, same meters, input signal, gets the meters moving?

Some times there are buttons or switches that change the sensitivity of the meters. Not sure what the srt is, but, it can't hurt in playback mode to mess with it and see if the meters change.

Now, on to the input you are using in your system. What input are you using?
Can you put some other equipment into the same inputs and make sure the
problem is not in the preamp or amp, but in the R2R itself. If the meters are not showing output, it seems it is the R2R.

Let us know how you solve it when yo do.

Regards, Elliott

[HurstRocks]

the reel to reel its useing the tape in and out of my sony 5.1 receiver no probs there and heads are clean and demaged. rollers are clean and lubed :scratch2: just the sound levels just seem low there line in dial a volume dial and balance the volume dail needs to be all the way up to get good sound out . is this normal.

[Fred Longworth]

If the problem has been progressive, I would suspect the playback head. Unless I recall incorrectly, this model uses Akai's glass/ferrite heads. Unfortunately, these are very brittle in the gap area. Often, close examination using a 10x or 20x magnifier will reveal crumbling in the gap region.

This crumbling will first cause enormous loss of HF response, then the MF and LF will follow.

Sometimes relapping the heads will remove the decaying region, like sloughing off dead skin. A company that can do this for you is --

http://www.jrfmagnetics.com

* * * * *

If the heads are not the problem, I would check the power supply to make sure the preamps are getting the proper voltages.

Best,

Fred Longworth
StereoTech Classic Audio Repair
http://www.repairaudio.com

[Don C]

SRT stands for Super Range Tape. It is supposed to be used only when using Akai's super range tape. There is nothing in the manual that tells the specs of the tape, or the actual function of the button.

Edit,
More information:
http://cap.vapor.com/quad/operator/AKAI_GX280D-SS/
Still more:
http://quadraphonicquad.com/forums/showthread.php?p=29953
More again:
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=56622

[HurstRocks]

thanks for the info i always wonderd what the butten did

[fishintvguy]

Hello,I see there is a lot going on with the GX-280D machines.
Mine has the exact same low output on playback.
Just picked it up off eBay to add to my Akai collection because it was in the original box and not a mark on it.Not even the dust cover.
I don't think the owner put hardly any hours on it.
Any how.
VU meters barely move at max volume on the unit though the sound is clear and I wonder if anyone has looked into this.
The GX heads were supposed to be indestructable as on my GX-365D with a million hours on it.
They both sound the same I just want my meters moving without turning it up.
Been servicing electronics 40 years so it's just a being up to specs thing.
I have a service manual coming this week and if I find out why I'll post it.
Thanks in advance if someone can save me some time.
Don