Description
First commercially available stereo reel to reel in the USA! In 1958, AKAI made the Standard Terecorder which was a mono machine, in 1959 Akai made the Terecorder AKAISTEREO which was the same machine but with a stereo head and a second amplifier housed in a separate box, in 1960 the AKAI Stereo DeLuxe (half-side) was produced, same basic construction, it was possible this was the European version of the Terecorder which seemed to only be sold in the USA. The two units connect together via one cable, this cable contains the record and replay signals, to record in stereo, you need to set both units into record mode unlike their later machines where one record lever activated both amplifiers. Akai produced over 100 models of reel to reel tape recorders. This is one that is very rare. When stereo came along, it looks like Akai created their first stereo recorder by adding a 2 track head, stereo outputs and a second smaller unit to house the second channel electronics and speaker. This unit has a switchable head to go from Full track to 2 channel Half track. Condition: This is being sold as-is, for parts/repair. The unit powers on when plugged in. The video shows how the motor runs and spins when engaged. The motor has been detached from it's original position inside the housing. The motor was held in place by a rubber type material that has weakened over time and caused the motor head to detach. Please note, I have filled the housing of the larger unit, where the motor is located, with stiff packing paper to ensure the motor does not move around while being shipped. There is a belt that came loose inside the larger reel to reel unit that has been placed inside the power cord storage area. The half-side playback & recorder smaller unit is missing a knob on the front that would have been used to switch between Phase A & Phase B. The reel to reel and playback/recorder were not tested further than what was described above. The two units may ship in separate boxes. Please let me know if you have further questions and I will do my best to answer. Thank you!