AKAI M8

[BoomboxLover48]

I was busy working on AKAI M8 restoration. I bought it a few years back in super nice cosmetic condition and wanted to do a full electrolytic cap replacement, lubrication, switch cleaning and all.

Just finished the work, and it works like new now. This M8 is the last tube amplifier AKAI made in reel-to-reel tape recorders. The sound is awesome with little or no distortion at high volume.




Before cap replacement.

 

[hopey]

Reel to reel sounds so good it's hard to believe how compact Cassette ever got off the the ground.

 

[AE_Stereo]

Monoblock Tape recorder!

 

[floyd]

It's probably two monoblock amplifiers so that there's no cross talk between the channels
.

 

[Netsurfer_x1]

A triple speed R2R deck...Nice! Pity it doesn't offer 15 In./Sec record & playback though.

But beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

A triple speed R2R deck...Nice! Pity it doesn't offer 15 In./Sec record & playback though.

But beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.

I don't care it don't have a 15 inch/sec record and playback. I can live with that and no big deal.
M8 was made in the mid 60s period!

I have the AKAI GX 747, GX 635D, GX 630, several TEACs, Pioneers, and other high-end reel to reel in my collection.
M8 is a gem in my collection!

 

[Hajidub]

What juicy tubes were sitting in there? I didn't see any tubes in the photos.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

What juicy tubes were sitting in there? I didn't see any tubes in the photos.

I will take pics of the tubes in those when I get a chance. Each amp has the following tubes and 6X4 is not on right channel.



Below pic is not mine. It is the left amp section.

 

[AE_Stereo]

I will take pics of the tubes in those when I get a chance. Each amp has the following tubes and 6X4 is not on right channel.

View attachment 58482

Below pic is not mine. It is the left amp section.

Those mesh grills must be replaced with glass. To see the glowing tubes in action is more fashionable now!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Those mesh grills must be replaced with glass. To see the glowing tubes in action is more fashionable now!

Very good! That will be nice!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

The grills are held by a blue glue around the edges of Al frame. I can easily remove them and place a thin glass piece there.
Excellent idea!

 

[floyd]

The grills are held by a blue glue around the edges of Al frame. I can easily remove them and place a thin glass piece there.
Excellent idea!

Keep in mind this glass over the tubes can trap heat inside the unit.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

You are correct Floyd!
EL84 (6BQ5) power output tube can get pretty hot!
Glass envelope of EL84 tubes can exceed 300F during typical operation.

The fan on the axle of the main motor gives some air circulation but vents will do additional help!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

I can put a see-through stainless steel wire mesh screen!

 

[AE_Stereo]

I can put a see-through stainless steel wire mesh screen!

Paint the mesh black! Possibly with heat resistant paint (which must be your specialty!)

 

[AE_Stereo]

See some Vincent tube amps for inspiration (SV-200, SV-737 etc.).

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Black color dead flat paint will look nice!
The motor blades can be painted gold color and the grill the same dead flat black paint.
The case is quality built with hinges and lock all thick chrome plated. I really love the 60s looks.