Technical Details
Brand: Akai
Model:GX-255
Category:Mid High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Japan
Release dates:1979 - 1984
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 4
Dimension: 9.5" (440 x 419 x 242 mm)
Head Composition: Ferrite/Glass
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 3
Auto Reverse?:Yes
Voltage(s): 110-120v, 220-240v
Outputs: RCA
Frequency Response:30Hz to 24k Hz +- 3dB at 7½ ips
Wow and Flutter:0.04% at 7½ ips 0.10% at 3¾ ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 61 dB at 7½ ips
Sound quality rating:6 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Weight: 16 kg (35.3 lbs)
Additional Details
Description
Produced from 1979 to 1982, the GX255 was one of the last of the 200 series from Akai. It was a four-track stereo deck with auto-reverse playback. By this time, Akai were only produced standalone tape decks, so the “D”suffix was no longer required to distinguish between decks (D), and models with built-in amplifiers and speakers. The GX-255 had four heads (erase, GX record and two GX playback), three motors and featured feather-touch IC circuit controls, track selector switches with indicator lights, mic/line mixing and a remote control jack for either RC-70 or RC-18 remote unit. The model with the black faceplate appears to be a European only offering.
Additional Info
Motors- AC Servo direct drive capstan motor, 2 x AC Eddy current reel drives
Rewind speed- 75 seconds for 1200ft (360 m)
Tech Guys report that the 255 uses 12 transistors that are prone to failure, the 2SC458’s. They go bad after some time, becoming noisy. Replacing them with 2SC2240’s or SC1845 fixes the problem. Also, the head relay (located under the head cover near the heads) should be cleaned or replaced, otherwise there’s a good chance you will have loss of volume on forward or reverse play.
Frequency response ( 3dB)
7½ ips: 30Hz to 24k Hz (WR tape)
3¾ ips: 30Hz to 19k Hz (WR tape)
Wow and flutter
less than 0.04% WRMS, 0.10% DIN 45500 at 7½ ips
less than 0.06% WRMS, 0.12% DIN 45500 at 3¾ ips
Signal to noise ratio
better than 61 dB DIN 45500 at 7½ ips
Crosstalk: better than 40 dB (at 1,000 Hz) / Channel separation: better than 55 dB (at 1,000 Hz) / Distortion: 0.5% at 7½ ips (1,000 Hz 0VU) / Erase ratio: better than 70 dB (at 1,000 Hz) / Bias frequency: 100 kHz / Inputs: Mic: 0.25mV impedance 600 ohms, Line: 70mV 100 ohms DIN: 2.0 mV / 10 kohms / Outputs: Line: 0.775 V / 20 kOhms Headphones: 100 mV / 8 ohms DIN: 2.0 mV / 10 kohms