Akai GX-400DFrom real comments

Name: Akai GX-400D
Rating: 2.6 (5 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 5 mentions across 5 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment40%

PROS 40%

CONS 60%

Rank based on 5 mentions across 5 aspects

View the verdict as

What users love

Still Sounds Great0 mentions

Widely praised

Desirable Collector Variant0 mentions

Widely praised

What users complain about

Direction-Switch Pause Quirk0 mentions

Generally negative

Tension Roller Quirk0 mentions

Generally negative

Requires Cleaning/Maintenance0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Limited flexibility despite features

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You are here

Akai GX-400D

Desirable Collector VariantStill Sounds GreatDirection-Switch Pause QuirkRequires Cleaning/MaintenanceTension Roller Quirk

Akai GX-400D

Desirable Collector Variant

Still Sounds Great

Direction-Switch Pause Quirk

Requires Cleaning/Maintenance

Tension Roller Quirk

Deep bass
1. LG XBOOM CK99arrow_upward10
2. Sony MHC-W550arrow_upward9
Warm sound
1. Yamaha R-S202arrow_upward9
2. Pioneer SX-750arrow_upward5
3. Cambridge Audio Evo Onearrow_upward4
Sound quality
1. Audio-Technica AT-LP5Xarrow_upward6
2. Magnat MC 400arrow_upward2

Overall Impression

The Akai GX-400D is a vintage reel-to-reel tape recorder still in use by long-time owners today. One owner reports that after their blue GX-400D-SS sat unused on a shelf for a while, it still works and sounds great. That same owner noticed a quirk: the deck no longer pauses when switching between forward and reverse play in 2-channel mode, instead changing direction immediately like the simpler Akai GX-260d, even though it still pauses correctly when changing speeds. Another owner is looking for guidance on disassembling the GX-400D-SS deck specifically to clean the Quadra-Sync buttons and relays, suggesting these controls can get dirty or unreliable over time.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

volume_upStill Sounds Great

1 mentions

Widely praised

One owner reports that after sitting unused on a shelf for a while, their GX-400D-SS still works and sounds great, aside from one control quirk. This suggests the deck holds up well sonically even after periods of inactivity.

@ppeterso22

Bigg Matt! We've talked about that crazy right tension roller on our blue Akai GX-400d-SS machines. But mine has been sitting on my shelf for a while without use. I noticed that it doesn't pause any more when switching from fwd play to reverse play and vice versa (it just changes directions like the Akai GX-260d). Isn't it supposed to pause while the speed is set (in 2ch mode of course)? It still pauses when changing speeds and otherwise works and sounds great.

smart_display

September 2, 2019

favoriteDesirable Collector Variant

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter expresses enthusiasm for owning the blue metered version of the GX-400D and asks about rare quadraphonic material played on it. This indicates continued interest and desirability among collectors.

@ppeterso22

Nice—I have the blue metered one!\nIs that a four channel recording of The Doors?!! Where did you find that?!

smart_display

December 11, 2020

warningDirection-Switch Pause Quirk

1 mentions

Generally negative

An owner noticed their unit no longer pauses when switching from forward to reverse play (or vice versa) in 2-channel mode, instead just changing direction immediately like the simpler GX-260d model. They question whether this is expected behavior, implying it may be a fault or wear issue.

@ppeterso22

smart_display

September 2, 2019

buildTension Roller Quirk

1 mentions

Generally negative

The same owner references a known issue with the 'crazy right tension roller' on their blue GX-400D-SS machine, indicating a mechanical quirk that owners discuss.

@ppeterso22

smart_display

September 2, 2019

cleaning_servicesRequires Cleaning/Maintenance

1 mentions

Generally negative

Another owner needs to clean the Quadra-Sync buttons and/or relays on their GX-400D-SS deck and is seeking disassembly guidance. This points to these controls needing periodic maintenance to keep functioning properly.

@nascargraham

MATT. Do you have a vid covering the disassembly of the GX-400D-SS deck.. I need to clean the Quadra-Sync buttons and/or relays.

smart_display

October 24, 2023

Akai GX-400Dchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

What users lovefavorite_border

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Deep bass

Warm sound

Sound quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Akai GX-400DFrom real comments

What users love

What users complain about

Overall Impression