Akai GX 266 II reel to reel sound

[tbs.kumar]

Hello all,
I got this Akai GX 266 II reel to reel recently.

The reel turns , but the sound is not audible.
I assume the above model has inbuilt amplifier ! OR do i need to connect it an external amplifier ?
2. Can i connect speakers to the line out ? does that work ?

3. I have some reel spools which are 40 yrs old, any idea if the reels still carry the recording on them , These reels have been fairly protected in boxes and were not exposed to light or heat all through, but we haven't used them for 40 yrs.

4. any linnks for user manual for the model ? I have googled and got service manuals but not user manuals.

Thanks,
Kumar

 

[Selvin]

From the specification it looks like does not having inbuilt amplifier. You need to connect the line-out to a amplifier.

Line-Out sockets are not for speaker connection and you should not connect speakers.

 

[reubensm]

Usually with Akai model number nomenclature, if you find a suffix "D" after the model number (for example - GX630D), it signifies that the machine does not come with an internal amplifier for driving speakers and hence is classified as a "Deck". In the tape world, equipment that had to be connected to an external component amplifier were called "decks". For Akai r-2-r decks, having a GX suffix in the model number signifies that the machine comes with Akai's famous Glass heads. Also having a DB suffix usually signifies that the "deck" is a "dolby" model.

However with the GX 266 II, I would suspect that the model number does not relate to my statement above and this machine does not probably have an internal amplifer. Check for tone controls and speaker outputs sockets, if you don't find these, then its a Deck and would need to be connected to an external component amp.

 

[reubensm]

1. I assume the above model has inbuilt amplifier ! OR do i need to connect it an external amplifier ?
2. Can i connect speakers to the line out ? does that work ?

Ans for 1/2: since you've mentioned line output, assume the deck does not have speaker output sockets. Line output has to be connected to an external amplifier. You cannot connect speakers to these


3. I have some reel spools which are 40 yrs old, any idea if the reels still carry the recording on them , These reels have been fairly protected in boxes and were not exposed to light or heat all through, but we haven't used them for 40 yrs.

Ans: Keeping tape stored for a long time will not cause the content to blank out. However the key is exposure to magnetic fields. If your tapes were stored near a magnet (for example, on top of a speaker cabinet) or exposed to strong electromagnetic fields, the recorded content would be either erased or would disintegrate. Storage however can have some other hassels like fungus on tape, oxide fall, etc.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I have found using reel to reel most cumbersome and most of these reel to reel systems do have these kind of problems. Also, the tapes cannot easily be cleaned to get good results. another problem i have encountered is locating the song that you want to listen may need time to locate. Though i have a Akai M8 Reel to Reel, I have not fully utilized it's potential. I prefer my Nak 1000 to it any day for reproduction and ease of use