Hope you still respond to questions! I have purchased a Akai 4000DS reel-to-reel from Poland from a guy who restores old system. He did a really good job. Look original. The problem is the power supply is for use in Poland. I need to know how to use it in America. I tried to connect it in through a convertor I bought, setting it to 110 and plugging the Akai into the 220 and it works great except the power switch doesn't matter if it is on or off. I would think if I turn the machine off that it will go off but that is not the case. I noticed in your video the power is on. If you turn it off does the unit actually go off? I plugged the output from the reel to reel into the input on my Sony receivers tape area and it played for 20 seconds and then stopped with a message PROTECTOR flashing on my receivers display. Any help would be great.
Your deck is acting exactly like it was designed to. Let Me explain. When the power switch is set to the "shut off" position the deck will remain ON when there is tape loaded on the deck, more specifically, threaded under the tension guide. Try removing the tape from the deck and the deck will power off. If you want to keep the tape on the deck while turning it off, just rewind the deck all the way or, slip the tape over the tension guide. when the guide falls down, the deck will turn off automatically.
@@marcusdolby1I certainly have no idea what I am doing though my Dad had this same type player 50 year ago. I bought a converter since it came from Poland and has a weird plug. When I play tapes it sounds like Donald duck...is very fast. Any idea's how I can reduce the speed? I have the converter plugged into a 110 outlet and converter is set to 110 and I have the tape deck plugged into the 220 thinking that will convert it? You would never know I work on computers!
Tomas Mosley Sounds like you have 3 3/4 speed tapes but are playing them at 7 1/2 ips. This deck has a capstan sleeve that goes over the capstan. This enables the deck to play at 7 1/2 ips. To make it play at 3 3/4 you must remove the sleeve from the capstan. The capstan is the little turning rod that pushes up against the rubber pinch roller. When playing. There is a screw that holds the 7 1/2 ips sleeve on the capstan, remove the screw and slide the sleeve off. If it’s been on there for a while you might need some wd40 to remove it.
Could you please advise me, I’ve just purchased the above said model in perfect order and I am trying to play back some old tapes my father made in the 1960s but they are playing back too fast, I’ve tried everything to no avail, have I got something that isn’t fit for my needs? Hope you can help. Cheers
You need to remove the capstan sleeve that fits over the capstan. It sounds like your father recorded at 3 3/4 ips. Your playing back at 7 1/2 ips. The capstan is the round bar next to the rubber pinch roller. There is a cap that screws on to hold the sleeve in place. Remove that cap and slide off the sleeve. It might be hard to get it off if it’s been sitting there for many years. If you can’t remove it by your fingers try some wd40. If that doesn’t work then you might have to remove with some pliers. I’ve never come across one I can’t remove. Once removed the tapes will play at the proper speed.
Beautiful video! I wondered if you ever experienced any static build up on this machine? I have one in flawless condition, everything works perfectly, however sometimes I notice some very low volume crackling sounds on some of my tapes. I have been erasing lots of tapes and have been running some tests. I originally thought it was the tape as I only experienced it on certain reels. I'm now realizing that while some of the reels are more susceptible to it, there doesn't seem to be any consistency between when I hear this crackling and when I don't. It's very minor but I just thought I would share my experience with you in case you have any ideas what could be causing it. Its an old machine and was purchased in 1972 (my father still has the receipt in the box!) so I guess these types of minor issues are to be expected and also embraced! But I'm thinking it could be static building up so just wondered if you had any thoughts or ideas. I can send you a recording of the crackling noise if you like. Thanks again for a great video. Love your enthusiasm for this incredible machine!
Honestly it could be many thing. I would start by cleaning the heads and demagg them. Then I would clean all the pots and switches with deoxit. If it’s still there it may be time for a tech.
@@marcusdolby1 Massively appreciate this advice. Tonight I learned that if I touch the plate with the two screws in it that holds the third tape head in position (the tape head on the right) with my finger then the crackling stops. It's very strange! I have been using it all day without any issues and then this evening the subtle crackling returned, so I tried touching all different parts to see if I could isolate the area causing it. It's something to do with that plate with two screws in it holding the tape head securely in position. Would this suggest to you it could be an earthing issue?!!
@@ALMFoster It might be a grounding issue. I have had that problem you are describing with other decks. Could be a cold solder joint on one of the heads. I’ve touched wires and plates by the heads and had that noise happen.
I just got mine to fully functioning again, and I noticed the take-up spool spindle does wobble. What does that mean and is there any way to fix it? Thanks 🙏🏻
I have a couple different ways to straighten out a bent trident. Most of the time I lightly tap it with a rubber headed hammer, or a similar object with a soft handle. My technician puts a little sleeve over it and slightly bends it. I’ve had more luck by tapping it back in shape.
@@marcusdolby1 Awesome, thank you, Marcus. Also if you have a 15ips B77 come through your shop at any point in good shape, I’d like to hop on that if possible 🤞🏻. Thanks again
No comparison, the Revox B77 is in my opinion the best sounding commercial made reel to reel ever. I have 2 B77s and still haven’t found a deck that sounds better.
hi they are made like a tank one think the pause is allways coming away it's the only thing that is a pain they are very good decks for the money there only one thing can't play 15 ips there was a model like this that played 15ips it can be jazzed up with a kit
not like the cross decks they made the best deck i have had is the teac 44 for 1/4 tape there is better one's like the otari mtr 10 12 for the money and decks that last along time and not need work on them sorry it this deck i have alot of them that a 100% still working for the newbee's 100% this where to start with i did and moved up the betacam sp for audio as 1/4 inch tapes cost lot now new stock betacam sp tape are silly low money and are quad audio
I'm buying one , it's good for studio work , to improve drums ,voices ? How much I should pay if you know the prices 😅
Hope you still respond to questions! I have purchased a Akai 4000DS reel-to-reel from Poland from a guy who restores old system. He did a really good job. Look original. The problem is the power supply is for use in Poland. I need to know how to use it in America. I tried to connect it in through a convertor I bought, setting it to 110 and plugging the Akai into the 220 and it works great except the power switch doesn't matter if it is on or off. I would think if I turn the machine off that it will go off but that is not the case. I noticed in your video the power is on. If you turn it off does the unit actually go off? I plugged the output from the reel to reel into the input on my Sony receivers tape area and it played for 20 seconds and then stopped with a message PROTECTOR flashing on my receivers display. Any help would be great.
Your deck is acting exactly like it was designed to. Let Me explain. When the power switch is set to the "shut off" position the deck will remain ON when there is tape loaded on the deck, more specifically, threaded under the tension guide. Try removing the tape from the deck and the deck will power off. If you want to keep the tape on the deck while turning it off, just rewind the deck all the way or, slip the tape over the tension guide. when the guide falls down, the deck will turn off automatically.
@@marcusdolby1I certainly have no idea what I am doing though my Dad had this same type player 50 year ago. I bought a converter since it came from Poland and has a weird plug. When I play tapes it sounds like Donald duck...is very fast. Any idea's how I can reduce the speed? I have the converter plugged into a 110 outlet and converter is set to 110 and I have the tape deck plugged into the 220 thinking that will convert it? You would never know I work on computers!
Tomas Mosley Sounds like you have 3 3/4 speed tapes but are playing them at 7 1/2 ips. This deck has a capstan sleeve that goes over the capstan. This enables the deck to play at 7 1/2 ips. To make it play at 3 3/4 you must remove the sleeve from the capstan. The capstan is the little turning rod that pushes up against the rubber pinch roller. When playing. There is a screw that holds the 7 1/2 ips sleeve on the capstan, remove the screw and slide the sleeve off. If it’s been on there for a while you might need some wd40 to remove it.
Could you please advise me, I’ve just purchased the above said model in perfect order and I am trying to play back some old tapes my father made in the 1960s but they are playing back too fast, I’ve tried everything to no avail, have I got something that isn’t fit for my needs? Hope you can help. Cheers
You need to remove the capstan sleeve that fits over the capstan. It sounds like your father recorded at 3 3/4 ips. Your playing back at 7 1/2 ips. The capstan is the round bar next to the rubber pinch roller. There is a cap that screws on to hold the sleeve in place. Remove that cap and slide off the sleeve. It might be hard to get it off if it’s been sitting there for many years. If you can’t remove it by your fingers try some wd40. If that doesn’t work then you might have to remove with some pliers. I’ve never come across one I can’t remove. Once removed the tapes will play at the proper speed.
Brilliant that’s sorted it cheers, I’m over the moon 👍👍👍👍
How do you connect this to your speaker ?
@@TTUNETWORK You use a receiver or an amplifier via RCA cables.
@@marcusdolby1thank you!
Beautiful video! I wondered if you ever experienced any static build up on this machine? I have one in flawless condition, everything works perfectly, however sometimes I notice some very low volume crackling sounds on some of my tapes. I have been erasing lots of tapes and have been running some tests. I originally thought it was the tape as I only experienced it on certain reels. I'm now realizing that while some of the reels are more susceptible to it, there doesn't seem to be any consistency between when I hear this crackling and when I don't. It's very minor but I just thought I would share my experience with you in case you have any ideas what could be causing it. Its an old machine and was purchased in 1972 (my father still has the receipt in the box!) so I guess these types of minor issues are to be expected and also embraced! But I'm thinking it could be static building up so just wondered if you had any thoughts or ideas. I can send you a recording of the crackling noise if you like. Thanks again for a great video. Love your enthusiasm for this incredible machine!
Honestly it could be many thing. I would start by cleaning the heads and demagg them. Then I would clean all the pots and switches with deoxit. If it’s still there it may be time for a tech.
@@marcusdolby1 Massively appreciate this advice. Tonight I learned that if I touch the plate with the two screws in it that holds the third tape head in position (the tape head on the right) with my finger then the crackling stops. It's very strange! I have been using it all day without any issues and then this evening the subtle crackling returned, so I tried touching all different parts to see if I could isolate the area causing it. It's something to do with that plate with two screws in it holding the tape head securely in position. Would this suggest to you it could be an earthing issue?!!
@@ALMFoster It might be a grounding issue. I have had that problem you are describing with other decks. Could be a cold solder joint on one of the heads. I’ve touched wires and plates by the heads and had that noise happen.
I just got mine to fully functioning again, and I noticed the take-up spool spindle does wobble. What does that mean and is there any way to fix it? Thanks 🙏🏻
I have a couple different ways to straighten out a bent trident. Most of the time I lightly tap it with a rubber headed hammer, or a similar object with a soft handle. My technician puts a little sleeve over it and slightly bends it. I’ve had more luck by tapping it back in shape.
@@marcusdolby1 Awesome, thank you, Marcus. Also if you have a 15ips B77 come through your shop at any point in good shape, I’d like to hop on that if possible 🤞🏻. Thanks again
How would you say this compares to the Revox B77?
No comparison, the Revox B77 is in my opinion the best sounding commercial made reel to reel ever. I have 2 B77s and still haven’t found a deck that sounds better.
@@marcusdolby1 Had a feeling that was the case. I should pick one up. Thanks for the videos - you sell some cool stuff!
hi they are made like a tank one think the pause is allways coming away it's the only thing that is a pain they are very good decks for the money
there only one thing can't play 15 ips there was a model like this that played 15ips it can be jazzed up with a kit
not like the cross decks they made the best deck i have had is the teac 44 for 1/4 tape there is better one's like the otari mtr 10 12
for the money and decks that last along time and not need work on them sorry it this deck i have alot of them that a 100% still working
for the newbee's 100% this where to start with i did and moved up the betacam sp for audio as 1/4 inch tapes cost lot now
new stock betacam sp tape are silly low money and are quad audio