All in all, the RT-707 recap isn’t that bad. Everything is relatively accessible. If you’re just doing a recap that is… If you’re going to get the heads relapped there is some additional expense. If you are going to do the mechanical and electrical adjustments as well, that’s where it gets tricky. This also means additional expense for a calibration tape. I went for the whole nine yards and the results are awesome. I also changed the direction indicators to LEDs while I had everything open.
If you decide to recap yours and you use my recap list as a reference, pay attention to the comments column. That’s where I list any anomalies that I find along the way. Here’s some notes about a few of these:
The Meter Amplifier Assembly (RWX-155) is missing from my unit due to a rev/production change at some point and the only service manual and schematics I could find include this board. Some of the parts from this board were moved onto the Playback Amplifier Assembly.
Compared to the parts layout I have, there’s a cap missing from my Power and Oscillation Assembly. No holes, no markings, it’s just not there.
There are a couple of caps that are a different value on the Head Amplifier Assembly than what the parts layout shows. In cases like this I always replace like for like with what I find on the board if they look factory installed.
One quick note about the three large caps mounted to the chassis: they are not electrolytic so I did not change them in my unit.
Standard disclaimer: The attached parts list represents a snapshot in time. It's the right list for my unit, yours may be slightly different. Mouser part numbers change and they run out of stock so you may need to make some substitutions. The list should also be inspected by one of the AK gurus (you know who you are) to ensure it meets with their approval. The mods are more than welcome to publish it in the AK recap database if approved by one of the AK gurus.