[rfeenstra]

After a few months....  I have the Akai GX220D Finished and calibrated with the Magnetic Reference Laboratory tape.  I'm actually quite impressed (of course, as I said before, my ears aren't what they used to be.)  This is a  1 7/8, 3 1/2 and 7.5 ips machine with auto reverse in both directions, with a maximum 7" reel capacity, and 3 motors. All capacitors have been replaced and the speed calibrated.  Akai used a pot metal pully on the motor which had totally deteriorated.  I had to make a new one out of brass on the lathe.  Getting the diameters correct for the speeds required a bit of trial and error.  The heads on these machines are "glass and xtal" (an Akai innovation) and were not worn al all.  No lapping necessary.

I have the machine calibrated for high output tape at 3db over the original Ampex standard.  I find, though, that with the higher magnetization of the tape, track cross talk is a bit more than I like.  I may re-calibrate to 0db. All in all, frequency response is great and music sounds great, especially at 7.5 ips.  I have recorded a few tapes of music with auto reverse in both directions.  I will just let them play over and over while broadcasting on WROB (my local FM station for just me) while working in my workshop. Fun!

Rob