Akai M8

Description

The M-8 had the same basic layout styling as its predecessors the Akai M-6 and M-7, and like the M-7 it had the exclusive “cross-field” biasing system.
All of these early “M” series Akais utilized tube circuitry and a continuously variable playback equalization design.
This was a quarter track stereo recorder with internal power amplifiers and monitor speakers. A single motor was employed for all transport functions and the maximum reel size was 7 inches.
Three speeds were available with the use of a capstan sleeve (7½ ips – 3¾ips) without the sleeve and (3¾ ips – 1 7/8ips) with the sleeve but according to test-bench reports of the time, wow and flutter were higher with the capstan sleeve fitted.
A “sound-on-sound” button was included so that one amplifier was set to play while the other to record, enabling track-to-track transfer while adding another recording.
A heavy machine at 45 lbs (20.5 kg) the M-8 was the last of the tube M series, the M-9 of 1966 being fully solid state.
The twin monitor speakers were mounted on the top of the cabinet and stereo sound was really only available near the recorder. At greater distances, the stereo effect was completely negligible and widely-spaced, wide-range remote speakers would have been necessary for normal stereo listening.
Priced at £153  in the UK in 1965, this machine was not sold in the USA as an Akai, but rebadged and sold as the  Roberts 770X.