Akai AP-D30C

[pathakajit]

My new? Akai Direct Drive :yahoo:

Not an exceptionally heavy TT, however, seems to be solidly put together!

Picked it up from a fellow vinyl enthusiast who is sure that a shure cart is installed on the TT (cart itself has no identification markings).
While auditioning the TT, we plugged in a brand new shure stylus into the same cart and the sound was slightly more 'bass-ier'. With this as a benchmark, the replacement (brand new, Philips- again, no identification markings) stylus which I received sounds pretty good too.

Since the cart/stylus is working out for now and should last a while, I have time to hunt for the original cart for this TT. The original cart for this TT - Akai PC-90 supposedly had twin magnets. can anyone suggest whether this implies better tonal qualities or if this is just a marketing gimmick? would it be worth it to pursue the original cart or go for a decent replacement such as an AT95E?

 

[Record Player]

Nice looking TT. Congratulations. I would recommend the Shure M44-7 or even the M97XE cart.

 

[reubensm]

congrats, nice set up

 

[kuruvilajacob]

The original cartridge for this model was a dual magnet cartridge which is a decent cartridge and gives good separation but with slightly low gain. A Shure 97 XE or AT 95 cartridges are certainly better than the original cart.

 

[deba]

Nice TT from the golden age of audio.......AKAI used to make some of the best TT and spool for homes.....

 

[pathakajit]

The original cartridge for this model was a dual magnet cartridge which is a decent cartridge and gives good separation but with slightly low gain. A Shure 97 XE or AT 95 cartridges are certainly better than the original cart.

Thank you, sir. Seems worth it to buy a stock cart for this TT. Would make it 'complete'
A shure 97xe/ AT 95 could be used for regular listening

 

[pathakajit]

Nice looking TT. Congratulations. I would recommend the Shure M44-7 or even the M97XE cart.

Can you please recommend good sources to buy the carts from?
So far I have tried ordering belts from eBay UK (twice) which never reached me. Seller rep was 100 so not suspecting any scam here. Despite seller reshipping, shipment never reached!

Recently ordered a belt for an onkyo CP1000A from turntable needles. Yet to reach. So wondering if there are better sources..

Thanks.

 

[pathakajit]

Nice TT from the golden age of audio.......AKAI used to make some of the best TT and spool for homes.....

Thanks. I agree. Akai TTs also 'look' very good to me. Really wanted Akai TT for a while. Missed out when one was sold recently on our forum..

 

[jls001]

Congratulations on the new TT!

Shure M97xE can be purchased from Electronic Emporium, Mumbai.

 

[reubensm]

I would suggest you attempt to listen to the Shure M97XE, Shure M44-7 and some Audio Technica models before deciding. If you like to listen to your music soft and pleasant, then the M97XE is the way to go, if you like loud, aggressive, punchy music, then the Shure M44-7 is the way to go. If you have old records purchased from the pre-used market, then the M44-7 would offer better tracking. If you have only new records, then the M97XE will glide through the grooves for you. In short, listen to, evaluate and then indulge.

 

[pathakajit]

I would suggest you attempt to listen to the Shure M97XE, Shure M44-7 and some Audio Technica models before deciding. If you like to listen to your music soft and pleasant, then the M97XE is the way to go, if you like loud, aggressive, punchy music, then the Shure M44-7 is the way to go. If you have old records purchased from the pre-used market, then the M44-7 would offer better tracking. If you have only new records, then the M97XE will glide through the grooves for you. In short, listen to, evaluate and then indulge.

Thanks Reuben. I have a split been new and used records. I anticipate used records to significantly out number new records eventually. I fully agree that the hardier DJ cart would be better for pre owned records. Unfortunately, I doubt whether I can audition before buying. (Dont know many vinyl heads in Pune yet.)

 

[Record Player]

Can you please recommend good sources to buy the carts from?
So far I have tried ordering belts from eBay UK (twice) which never reached me. Seller rep was 100 so not suspecting any scam here. Despite seller reshipping, shipment never reached!

Recently ordered a belt for an onkyo CP1000A from turntable needles. Yet to reach. So wondering if there are better sources..

Thanks.

The prices in India are way too high for these carts. Other reliable international options are KABUSA.com and Needle Doctor or even Amazon.

 

[reubensm]

Thanks Reuben. I have a split been new and used records. I anticipate used records to significantly out number new records eventually. I fully agree that the hardier DJ cart would be better for pre owned records. Unfortunately, I doubt whether I can audition before buying. (Dont know many vinyl heads in Pune yet.)

Personally I have always been a fan of the M44-7 and never a fan of the M97XE. Of all the vintage Shure carts I've heard, the M75-6 is undoubtedly the best. From all these statements of mine, you may have understood that I've talked only about Shure, that's because I'm an old fashioned Shure believer :lol:

 

[reubensm]

The prices in India are way too high for these carts. Other reliable international options are KABUSA.com and Needle Doctor or even Amazon.

ebay.de is a good place to search for Shure carts, but you have to be patient.

 

[Saket]

Nice TT there, but I will not suggest you to go hunting for the original cartridge so as to make the set 'complete' as you stated. One, you may never find it; second, your TT is much better off with a good Shure or Audio Technica cartridge as far as SQ is concerned.
Most original japanese cartridges were crap as they were just a 'complimentary' item with the TT so as the owners did not have to buy a new cartridge straightaway. Most serious listeners would swap the OEM cart with a good cart back in time too according to their listening taste & preferences.

My 2 cents; if you like bright & colored sound, go for Shure M44-7. Very good for old Indian records too. If you like a smooth and natural sounding cartridge, go for M97Xe. Most online shops will sell them around 6-9K. See, if you can get them from abroad from where they can be had for much cheaper.

 

[pathakajit]

you may have understood that I've talked only about Shure, that's because I'm an old fashioned Shure believer :lol:

:lol: I guess this is another topic splitting a good number of enthusiasts between being die hard Shure fans and those who swear that some cheaper carts from AT and other brands offer equivalent performance..

 

[pathakajit]

Thank you for the cart suggestion, Saket.
Fully agree that most OEM carts would not stand up to the tonal abilities of decent replacement cartridges. This TT too had cart as an optional extra.
Since Mr. Kuruvilla suggested that the original cart is pretty decent, it might be worth a look..

 

[pathakajit]

The dust cover of the TT is quite scuffed and has some indentation pattern patches, etc.. It also has a hole (roughly same size asa 25 paise coin) in it where the previous owner left a hot glue gun by mistake. While all brunt was borne by the dust cover to keep the TT protected, I wish to clean it up now.
Any suggestions for removing the scratches, surface textures and polishing it? Any ideas about fixing the hole?
Info on if anyone make new dust covers?
Thanks much in advance..

 

[reubensm]

The dust cover of the TT is quite scuffed and has some indentation pattern patches, etc.. It also has a hole (roughly same size asa 25 paise coin) in it where the previous owner left a hot glue gun by mistake. While all brunt was borne by the dust cover to keep the TT protected, I wish to clean it up now.
Any suggestions for removing the scratches, surface textures and polishing it? Any ideas about fixing the hole?
Info on if anyone make new dust covers?
Thanks much in advance..

FM Record Player is an expert in this area. In my opinion, its better to get a new one made.

 

[reubensm]

:lol: I guess this is another topic splitting a good number of enthusiasts between being die hard Shure fans and those who swear that some cheaper carts from AT and other brands offer equivalent performance..

Shure carts are terriffic value for money. Having said that there are others out there as well. Brands like Grado, Ortofon, Goldring and Audio Technica are also around. Ortofon and Goldring are quite good but entry level guys generally stay away as the replacement stylii are expensive. For Shure carts, there are lots of stylus options available in different price ranges (generally very affordable). Audio Technica carts at the lower end are great value for money. They are definitely worth a try. When buying carts, keep an eye on the type of mount, there are broadly 2 types, P-mount and 1/2 inch mount. Your TT's headshell will take the 1/2 inch mount type.