Akai GX F51 (1982–1984)
A high-end stereo cassette deck from Akai’s GX series, made in Japan with advanced tape transport and noise reduction features.
Overview
The Akai GX-F51 is a stereo cassette deck manufactured in Japan from 1982 to 1984. It belongs to Akai's premium GX line, designed for accurate tape reproduction and robust mechanical performance. The deck supports all major tape types—normal, CrO2, and metal—and features both Dolby B and C noise reduction systems for improved audio fidelity.
Engineered with Akai's proprietary Twin Field Super GX head, the GX-F51 integrates separate recording and playback gaps in a single head housing, enabling precise signal handling across tape formats. Its transport system uses an FG servo direct-drive capstan motor and a high-torque DC reel motor, contributing to low wow and flutter and fast winding times of approximately 90 seconds with a C-60 cassette.
Specifications
| Product type | Stereo cassette deck |
| Years of manufacture | 1982 - 1984 |
| Made in | Japan |
| Original price | ¥ 69,800 (around 1982) |
| Wow and flutter | 0.035%WRMS(JIS) |
| Frequency characteristic (Normal Tape) | 20 Hz ~ 17 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Frequency characteristic (CrO2 Tape) | 20 Hz to 18 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Frequency characteristic (Metal Tape) | 20 Hz ~ 19 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Distortion Factor (1 kHz, 0 VU, Metal Tape) | 0.8% |
| S / N ratio (metal tape) | 60 dB (3% THD level WTD) |
| Dolby B NR improvement | 5 dB at 1 kHz, 10 dB at 5 kHz |
| Dolby C NR improvement | 15 dB at 500 Hz, 20 dB at 1 kHz to 10 kHz |
| Heads Recording | Twin Field Super GX Head x1 |
| Heads Erase | 1 Erase Head |
| Motor Capstan Drive | FG Servo DD Motor x1 |
| Motor Reel Drive | 1 DC Motor |
| Early winding time | Approximately 90 seconds (when C-60 tape is used) |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance Line | 70mV/47k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance MIC | 0.25mV/600 Ω |
| Output Level / Impedance Line | 410mV/2k Ω or less |
| Output Level / Impedance Headphone | 1.3mW/8 ohm |
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 22W |
| External Dimensions (EIAJ) | Width 440x Height 100x Depth 345 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 6.1 kg |
| Attachment | Connection code x2 |
Design
The GX-F51 uses Akai’s unique Twin Field Super GX head, combining a 4 μ recording gap and a 1 μ reproducing gap in one housing. The head core is made of crystal ferrite with high permeability, supporting metal tape use. The capstan drive employs an FG servo direct-drive motor for high rotational accuracy and low wow and flutter, while the reel drive uses a high-torque DC motor with a high-efficiency transmission system. The transport includes a quick and quiet mechanism, and the head block lifts automatically in stop mode for faster play start and improved durability. The deck features a microcomputer-controlled system for mode selection, auto tape detection, ejection, and tuning. It includes an automatic bias and sensitivity calibration system that adjusts in 8 steps, with tuning completed in about 25 seconds. Additional features include a 2-color 12-segment FL bar meter, rec-cancel, introscan, IPLS (Automatic Head-Out), memory autoplay, auto fader, timer start, and support for a remote control unit.
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