GX-4000DB. Very rugged and advanced Reel to Reel player from Akai. DB is for Dolby noise reduction, a feature that reduces tape hiss, theoretically at the expense of some fidelity but only in the frequencies where the human ear is least sensitive to notice. The GX-4000 series itself was very popular and sold quite well. Because of the hearty design most of them found today are still in working condition or are easily repaired by anyone with a general mechanical mind. I myself restored this open reel player to working condition. The controls and operations are all mechanical and simple electronic switches. It has a single motor with few belts inside and gears. When you move the control from Stop to Play you physically move a gear into place which starts rolling the take up reel. No glitchy early microprocessors and relays or anything weird to go wrong. The worst for mine was some scratchy POTs that were easily cleaned and other general cleaning to get the motor running easily. The GX series clockwork controls aside, the audio circuitry were quite sophisticated. The real claim to fame however were the "Glass & X'tal Ferrite Head"s. Much much more solid heads that were rated for many more hours of playing before wearing out. As tape heads wear out they lose sensitivity and music sounds degraded. Akai's unique head design stands up to more erosion from the tape rolling by and still retains excellent response. With the Capstand Adapter in place 7.5" IPS can be obtained for the best quality fully analog sound you'll get before going to professional 10" reel decks. Outside of TEAC and Akai there's not many other brands you'll find plentifully in such good sounding condition. I like the GX-4000 series aesthetically for its compact design, and scaled proportions that mimic a 10" deck. Instead of a large deck with apparently small 7" reels, the squat and wide GX-4000 mounted with two metal reels looks like a scaled 10" GX series deck. As always, a good reel to reel is as pleasurable to watch as it is to listen to. A good thing about my classic 70's silver finish is I was able to make it look new easily by removing the front plate and rubbing it with chrome polish. My GX was very dogged out looking and dusty when I first got it. I've been using it a few times a month now for a year and I think its about due for a good cleaning. That may be the topic for another video later...
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AKAI GX-4000Dby carbonC0RE6,706 views
LOL I have the same RTR 4000DB and I love it. Congratulations.
asalux 2 years ago
This machine is so damn beautiful
DigiRarefaction 2 years ago
I have two 4000D, the non-dolby model. I love your description; it's dead-on!
aldiakaroofus 2 years ago
Reel to Reels sound great. It would be nice to record the output of a CD to hear how it sounds.
My TEACs were the bomb but they are so damn big, I gave them away.
MTXSHO9732vV8SHO 2 years ago
thats bad ass bro
zfreak1981 2 years ago