Technical Details
Brand: Akai
Model:X-360
Category:Mid High Fidelity
Application:Consumer
Electronics:Solid State
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Japan
Release dates:1968 - 1971
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2
Max Reel Size("): 7"
Number of heads: 4
Dimension: 17½ x 16 x 10" (444 x 406 x 254mm)
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Stereo
# Motors: 3
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 110-120v
Outputs: RCA, DIN
Frequency Response:7½ ips: 30 - 23kHz (3dB)
Wow and Flutter:0.04% at 7½ , 0.07% at 3¾ & 0.15% at 1 ips
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:-50dB
Sound quality rating:6 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 7/ 10
Weight: 61.6 lb (28 kg)
Additional Details
Description
This was a quarter-track stereo/mono machine with a three speed capstan drive motor enabling electrical selection for 1 7/8, 3¾ and 7½ (15 ips was also available via capstan/pinch roller
kit).
The Akai Crossfield 4-head arrangement was again used to maximize high frequency response and the unit had a 50 watt solid state amplifier.
Magnetic brakes ensured very fast stopping in fast forward and rewind mode and a “Comput-O-Matic” level control automatically adjusted the record level.
The machine could auto reverse by means of a reversible capstan motor and a mechanically (electro magnet) moveable playback head. Reverse recording was not possible, only playback.
Another novel feature was the “Automatic Dust-minder” – an indicator lamp that glowed when the heads needed cleaning! Here’s an explanation about this unique and short-lived feature…
Every tape produces noise. This noise is primarily in the treble range and this is the basis for the Akai system. The playback preamplifier has a special output equipped with a 9kHz high pass filter. This output goes to a level detector that turns off the indicator when a higher than 9kHz sound (or noise) is present. When the playback head becomes dirty the treble response will drop dramatically. The detector finds out that there is no longer sound or noise present and turns on the indicator. There are 2 flaws in this system: 1. It only detects dust on the playback head and 2. It doesn’t work with 1 because – according to the DIN standard – the response is only 50 – 8kHz….”
The unit was also available as the X-360D – tape deck only (pictured above).
Additional Info
Heads
four – erase, record, playback and Crossfield bias
Motors
3-speed hysteresis synchronous for capstan
2 x 6-pole eddy current outside rotor for reels
Tape speeds
7½ , 3¾ & 1 7/8 ips
(15 ips was also available via capstan/pinch roller kit)
Frequency response (all 3dB)
7½ ips: 30 – 23kHz
3¾ ips: 30 – 18kHz
17/8 ips: 40 – 11kHz
Wow & flutter
0.04% at 7½ , 0.07% at 3¾ & 0.15% at 1 7/8 ips
Signal to noise ratio
-50dB
Rewind speed
75 seconds for 1200ft
Audio output power
15 watts RMS per channel (N/A for X 360D)
Inputs
mic: more than 0.5V
line: more than 50mV
DIN: low – 5mV, high – 50mV
Outputs
line and DIN, external speakers and headphones
Speaker(s)
2 x 5″ (N/A for X 360D)