Akai X-150D

Scan pages 3–6

Specifications, Measuring Method & Controls

I. Specifications

ItemValue
STYLEPortable
WEIGHT30.8 lbs (14.0 kg)
DIMENSIONS13-1/2" (H) × 13-1/2" (W) × 9" (D)
340 H × 340 W × 230 D mm
POWER SUPPLY100, 110, 120, 200, 220, 240 V.A.C.
RECORDING SYSTEMInline 4-track stereo, monaural playback.
TAPE SPEED3 speeds......1-7/8, 3-3/4 and 7-1/2 ips
15 ips optional
TAPE SPEED DEVIATIONLess than −1.5% at all tape speeds.
WOW AND FLUTTER (PLAYBACK ONLY)Less than 0.15% R.M.S. at 7-1/2 ips.
Less than 0.25% R.M.S. at 3-3/4 ips.
Less than 0.35% R.M.S. at 1-7/8 ips.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE30 to 23,000 cps (Hz) at 7-1/2 ips.
30 to 18,000 cps (Hz) at 3-3/4 ips.
30 to 9,000 cps (Hz) at 1-7/8 ips.
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIOBetter than 50 db.
DISTORTION (TOTAL HARMONICS)Within 2% at 1,000 cps (Hz) [illegible].
CROSS-TALKLess than −65 db (Monaural)
Less than −43 db (Stereo)
INSULATION RESISTANCEMore than 50 M.Ohms.
INSULATION DURABILITY1,000 V.A.C. for more than one minute duration.
ERASE RATIOLess than −70 db for all tracks.
POWER CONSUMPTION55 VA
EQUALIZATIONCorrect equalization for playback of tapes recorded to the NAB curve.
FAST FORWARD AND REWIND TIME90 seconds using 1,200 feet tape at 50 cps (Hz), 75 seconds at 60 cps (Hz).
OUTPUT LEVEL1.228 V (0 VU) at using 1,000 cps (Hz) 0 VU recorded tape.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE1.5 K.Ohms
OUTPUT LEVEL OF STEREO HEADPHONE30~40 mV
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE OF STEREO HEADPHONE8 Ohms
INPUT LEVEL — LINE INPUT50 mV~2.5 V
MIC. INPUT0.5 mV~20 mV
DIN. INPUT20 mV~25 mV
MONITOR SYSTEMCan be monitored the program being recorded by using.
Stereo headphone (8 Ohms) ... Stereo headphone jack
Crystal receiver ...... Line output jack.
MOTORHysteresis synchronous 2-speed motor.
Horse power : 1/100 HP
Power ratio : 85%
Revolution : 3,000 to 1,500 R.P.M. at 50 cps (Hz)
3,600 to 1,800 R.P.M. at 60 cps (Hz)
Condenser capacity : 2.8 μF at 50 cps (Hz)
2.0 μF at 60 cps (Hz)
HEADS
RECORDING/PLAYBACK HEADInline 4-track stereo/monaural
Gap ...... 0.2 microns
Impedance ... 1,000 Ohms at 1,000 cps (Hz)
BIAS HEADInline 4-track stereo
Gap ...... 0.2 mm
Impedance ...... 500 Ohms at 60 Kc
ERASE HEADInline 4-track stereo.
Gap ...... 0.2 mm
Impedance ...... 300 Ohms at 60 Kc
RECORD LEVEL INDICATORVertical indication Model "A" VU meter ×2
TRANSISTOR USED2SC650 (A) ×4
2SC281 (B) ×4
2SC458 (B) ×2
2SC696 (J) (I) (F)
SILICON DIODE USEDSW-05-01 ×5
REELS USED7", 5", 3" reels

II. Measuring Method

Tape Speed Deviation

  1. Method involving use of pre-recorded tape.

    Playback on the tape recorder to be tested tape pre-recorded at 1,000 cps ±0.1% for measuring tape speed deviation. Connect the appropriate output to a frequency counter meter in order to measure the tape speed deviation from the resulting deviation of the measured frequency.

  2. Method involving use of timing tape (designed for tape speed measurement).

    This method utilizes a timing tape marked at intervals of 7-1/2". The running time of the tape over 60 marked section is measured in order to calculate the deviation of the tape speed. In application of this method, however, it should be borne in mind that should the timing tape stretch or contract, measurement error is inevitable, so that it is necessary to measure the total length of the tape in advance.

Wow and Flutter

Playback the 3,000 cps pre-recorded tape whose wow and flutter level is guaranteed to be smaller than 0.07% for measurement by means of a wow meter. It is also possible for a 3,000 cps sine wave to be recorded and played for measurement by means of the wow meter. In this case, however, the wow meter indicates a value as much as twice the value given in the specification on the first page.

Signal to Noise Ratio

Block diagram: X-150D line output connected to a V.T.V.M.Block diagram: X-150D line output connected to a V.T.V.M.

Set the Equalizer Switch on "7-1/2 ips" position and playback a tape containing a 1,000 cps sine wave recorded at "0" VU level on a standard recorder. Connect a V.T.V.M. to the line output jack of the recorder and measure its output.

Then remove the tape and measure the noise level under the same condition. Convert into decibels each of the measured values.

Total Harmonic Distortion Factor

Block diagram: audio oscillator, X-150D, and distortion meter connected in seriesBlock diagram: audio oscillator, X-150D, and distortion meter connected in series

Connect the measuring instrument as shown above, and record the 1,000 cps sine wave at "0" VU. Playback the resultant signal and measure the overall distortion factor. Measure the noise level of the tape recorder with the tape removed: connect the audio oscillator directly to the distortion meter for measurement of the distortion factor of the oscillator.

The required distortion factor may be obtained from the results of the above measurement by the following formula.

d₀ = d − d₁ − d₂

where,

  • d₀ = Required
  • d = Overall distortion factor
  • d₁ = Noise level
  • d₂ = Distortion factor of the oscillator

(Note: New tape of particularly good quality should be used for measurement of the distortion factor).

Power Output

Playback a tape containing a sine wave of 1,000 cps recorded at 0 VU on a standard recorder.

Connect a V.T.V.M. to the line output jack of the recorder and measure the voltage at the output of the recorder to be tested.

Cross Talk (Cross talk between the tracks)

Diagram of a tape showing tracks 1-4 in one direction and 4'-1' reversed, with the recorded, crosstalk, and no-input segments shadedDiagram of a tape showing tracks 1-4 in one direction and 4'-1' reversed, with the recorded, crosstalk, and no-input segments shaded

As shown in the figure, first record a 1,000 cps sine wave on track No. 3 at −3 VU level. Next, remove the 1,000 cps input signal and record under a non-input condition.

Then, playback the tape on track No. 3 and No. 1 (reversed condition of tape) through the 1,000 cps B.P.F. (Band Pass Filter, Sensitivity....1:1) and obtain a ratio between the two from the following formula.

C = 20 log [E₀ / (E₂ − E₁)] db

  • C = Desired cross talk ratio (db)
  • E₀ = 1,000 cps signal output level
  • E₂ = 1,000 cps cross talk output level
  • E₁ = No-input signal record level

Frequency Response

Block diagram: audio frequency oscillator, attenuator, X-150D line input/output, and V.T.V.M. connected in seriesBlock diagram: audio frequency oscillator, attenuator, X-150D line input/output, and V.T.V.M. connected in series

Connect the measuring instrument as in the above diagram, and measure the frequency response in the following sequence:

Record:

  1. Give a sine wave of 1,000 cps to the Line Input of the recorder to be tested through an attenuator from an audio frequency generator.
  2. Set the Record/Playback Knob in to "Rec" position and adjust the line input volume so that the VU meter needle indicates "0" VU.
  3. Under the condition described in (2), lower the input level 10 db by means of the attenuator.
  4. Record the spot frequency in the range of 30 cps to 25,000 cps from the audio frequency generator.

Playback:

  1. Set the Record/Playback Knob in to "Play" position.
  2. Set the Equalizer Switch on 7-1/2" or 3-3/4" position.
  3. Connect a V.T.V.M. to the Line output.
  4. Playback the tape previously recorded.
  5. Adjust the output level to "0" dbm at 1,000 cps as indicated on the V.T.V.M. by the range selecter of a V.T.V.M.
  6. Playback the recorded spot frequencies with the conditions in (9); make a memo of output level and plot the value on a graph.

III. Location of Controls

Front panel of the X-150D with numbered callouts 1 through 34Front panel of the X-150D with numbered callouts 1 through 34

Rear panel of the X-150D with numbered callouts 40 through 43Rear panel of the X-150D with numbered callouts 40 through 43

DIN and line input/output jack panel with numbered callouts 35 through 39DIN and line input/output jack panel with numbered callouts 35 through 39

#Control
1Supply Reel Shaft
2Cycle Conversion Switch (A)
3Capstan Storage Post
4Head Cover (A)
5Head Cover (B)
6Track Selector Knob
7Tape Guide
8Tape Cleaner
9Index Counter
10Reset Button
11Erase Head
12Recording/Playback Head
13Bias Head
14Microphone Jack (Left)
15Microphone Jack (Right)
16Recording Level Control Knob (Left)
17Recording Level Control Knob (Right)
18Equalizer Knob
19VU Meter (Left)
20VU Meter (Right)
21Recording Lamp
22Power Switch
23Stereo Headphone Jack
24Recording Safety Button
25AS Switch
26AS Lever
27Record/Playback Knob
28Fast-Forward/Rewind Knob
29Instant Stop Lever
30Pinch Wheel
31Capstan Shaft
32Capstan
33Take-Up Reel Shaft
34Speed Change Switch
35DIN Jack
36Line Input Jack (Left)
37Line Input Jack (Right)
38Line Output Jack (Left)
39Line Output Jack (Right)
40Voltage Conversion Switch
41Fuse Post
42Cycle Conversion Switch (B)
43AC Cord

← All sections