I still have my dad's 1970 Akai reel to reel. Never had a bit of maintenance... still works flawlessly.

Kelvin you make good sense in your descriptions. You do give me a good feel like it helps me understand how the equipment sounds! Excellent!

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks that’s nice to hear

Please come back. So miss your reviews.

I really like how you analyse the sound of equipment- giving a real world, real experience perspective rather than just audiophile platitudes. I am still fond of my AKAI GX-4000D reel to reel which works perfectly after all these years and sounds great.

It makes total sense the way you describe it. The higher end you go the speed and agility gets better. The bass is fast and tight and extremely "tuneful", without mudding the midrange. The instruments are separated (never muddled together) where you can focus on each one. It doesn't matter how busy a song is, a high end amp never misses a beat. I wouldn't consider that amp high end, but I'm sure it's mid HiFi and performs closer to high end than typical amps. I agree with you that higher end amps are different, but in a good way. A high end amp should be neutral (play the recording as it is), thus the bass won't be bloated. Sometimes I wish my JC1 mono blocks had a bit more bass on songs that weren't recorded with strong bass, but I wouldn't trade all of the great (accurate and natural) things a truly neutral amp can do. If a song has strong base my mono blocks hammer out dynamic, tuneful, tight, natural sounding bass, which keeps pumping the rhythm no matter how many other instruments (or vocals) kick in. Everything is layered, yet the whole ensemble is balanced and presents a very cohesive whole, of which nothing every takes over and muddies anything else. The vocals are very airy (if recorded to be so) and silky smooth ("angels sing to you") on my Parasound JC1 mono blocks. They are expensive, but they have a tube like sound, with the bass control of an authoritarian dictator. I miss your videos Kelvin. I really like the (poetic) way you describe sound quality. I hope you are doing well.

Love the way you describe things that aren't easily explained. I can listen to you all day. Great stuff. When I first became interested in hifi in the late seventies, my amp, turntable, tuner were all Akai mainly because they seemed good value for money and looking great as well. I still have the Akai turntable that I purchased back then. Paul Australia.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul

You're videos have a lot of information love them

I have this amp. The "black velvet" you speak of is something I actually love about it. In other circles I know people refer to this as the blackground.

Hey Kelvin that's my Amplifier lol nice to see a review about it from thanks

Another informative review. Excellent content. I think I have learned that high power is not necessary for me. I am going to buy the Sansui receiver it fits by budget and my room is not so big. There's a 551 on eBay at the moment but it has a two prong plug. I am UK based. Thanks for sharing your knowledge I have spread the word about your channel. It's a refreshing take on hifi.

I used to have one of those great sounding amplifier I wish I still had it

Another very enjoyable video Kevin, thank you! I remember Akai being very active with cassette decks back in the day but not so much amplifiers and other electronics. That amplifier though does look a beast! At 18kg no wonder it sounds big. The transformers must be huge!

@roygumpel8415

Жыл бұрын

i Believe it's Kelvin, not Kevin. (?)

@richardmanning4090

Жыл бұрын

@@roygumpel8415 yes, of course you are right, mistype!

Finally Akai! Love my AA-8030 that drives some really old Radiola speakers. Will uppgrade the speakers to Sonab/Carlsson in the near future.

Great review, I really like it. Back in the day, I kind of overlooked Akai and today I kind of regret that.

@AndyBHome

3 жыл бұрын

Akai didn't have a reputation for exceptionality, but it was really decent dependable stuff, and honestly a lot of people who felt like they were "settling" for Akai were really pleasantly surprised at what they ended up with. I had an Akai cassette deck that was absolutely fabulous. I always liked the brand but it never had the flashy market leader appeal of the bigger brands. Aiwa with it's similar sounding name also seemed to suffer from the same lack of reputation, yet it was really quite well made.

Sounds like another great and overlooked japanese product from the 1980's. Much like the Nikko brand.

Thanks Kelvin. Great job.

I was sold by Black Velvet, shame about the Angels , lovin' your analysis :D

Agree on speaker matching. Especially with this kind of muscle.

Akai AA-1050 is a great late 1970s receiver on discrete components, dirt cheap, would rival your early 1970s Sansuis with tighter, cleaner sound.

Great review Kevin. If you can get hold of a Sony 630esd amp, it's well worth a listen. It came out at the same time as the akai am 73 and has similar specs. I'd love to see you review it.

I rarely get really excited about vintage equipment when I think about what we can get now at such low prices. But this is a really desirable amp. This is the kind of thing I would have just died to get back when I was a teenager - dream fuel! I think that's one of the best looking amps I've ever seen. That's my style right there!

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Is created quite a big desire in me I can tell you I am trying to buy this Amp

luv watching your videos i have an akai am 73 great amp and also a technics su v8 which is also great

I've always wanted to try a pair of Cewin Vega tower speakers. It'd provably be awesome with an amp like this. Plus, you can't go wrong with a big heavy metal box with pretty wood and gold trim on the sides. I suppose I'd also try fighting the internal dac against a SMSL Sanskrit 10th just to hear what happens. But mostly so I can adjust the volume with the Sanskrit when I become too lazy for getting up to change the volume.

I heard this amp at a party many years ago...the guy was running it through a pair of monster sized Radio shack speakers. Nearly shat my self at how good it sounded.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

The base is low and powerful

I have a pair of AKAI SW 157ii speakers that are absolutely fantastic.

Basically, it being described with Jon Lord & Roger Glover from Deep Purple of the AKAI amplifier

I have an 70’s era dual mono aa-1150 that I adore. I won’t be getting rid of it.

Have a little old akai aa6300 with 40 watts Only, but what a gorgeous sound it has!!!

Hey Kelvin, do you think it might be helpful to tell us which speakers you used? I'm asking honestly because I could understand the argument that it would muddy the waters with too much info. I personally have found that each different piece of kit really can drastically change what you hear from an amp. Cheers!

I'm a bit younger than you, when I was a student in the early 90's Akai were really famous for their samplers. They were revolutionising the music industry. That's what I always associate them with.

Hi Kelvin! A very good job as usual. I love how you describe the sound characteristics of this AKAI. I can follow you! I had this am 73 years ago and a lot of other Japanese monsters (from the top end) of this era. For me they all sound quite similar. They sound big, detailled and well controlled, but not airy enough - something is missing! The sound is kind of sterile. Some of the bigger Harman Kardons of this era I like better in this regard. But a lot of the todays/ modern amps sound a lot more sterile and clinical than these older japanese monsters.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting thanks for the info my friend

@drewsmith6066

Жыл бұрын

All true chap about modern amps sounding too sterile, they do it's a bit like they are lifeless, a lot of the older stuff you felt the life and was more connected with the sound / music

I had the entire set up , master reference, copper plated CD player. And it had a cassette deck probably best one they ever made.

Great video as usual Kelvin.Any chance of including the "Mission 751" little speakers anytime? or the "Mission 782" just aquired some and very impressed.

Good work Mr K..I think Sansui has the patent on the angels....

This Akai is almost the same in terms of weight and power as my beloved Sansui AU-719. At one point, I had my Sansui turned up to about halfway. My upstairs neighbor thought there was an earthquake happening. Of course, I consider my neighbors and have never received a single complaint. These kinds of amplifiers are monsters. I now have a tube amplifier that weighs 35kg. Twice as much as this one...

The British, who can afford aluminium better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over, I am going to buy a British radio set. Then at last I'll own something that has always worked. Herman Göring, Reichsmarschall His quoto on the De Havilland Mosquitos after bombing the Rundfunk Haus in Berlin 1943

@MrRichymil

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting, thanks.

Hi Kelvin! I think the jumpers at the back are not for pre out / main in, but for using an equalizer or effects. Great channel, best video reviews of audio equipment ever, love the words you use to describe sound!

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Yes you are dead right I only just worked that out

@lorenzosoldi

3 жыл бұрын

@@stereoreviewx nevermind, don't ask me how I know it........

Enjoying the vids, see if you can do a Denon PMA series amp? Supposed to be great.

what is your take on sansui au-x1 and nikko alpha 230

Hi Kelvin, finally i tested the Klipsch Quartet - Sansui receiver 331 combination. It sounds great ;) Source is a modern Tangent CD Player. I placed the chain in a big room. Result: roomfilling Sound, clear, smooth treble full bodied midrange and toetipping basslines. Its not the subwoofer like megabass but the Quartets active woofer + passive woofer are satisfying. 2×6 Watts sansui + Klipsch is a nice Thing.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Good to hear thanks for the feedback my friend

akai is so underated

That kind of bass grip you only get with big honking filter caps and power transformers with lots of iron. Walnut sized or switching power supplies are anathema to good design.

Just bought a nad 3020i. Nice sound

That things a beast.

Nice job as usual. I guess they had to move on from Reels. By late 80s they were on the way out. I miss them.

Hello,whats your opinion about Akai am 2400?Thanx

Own the AM95 for 10 years love it.Use it together with the technics SBE100.Great build quality shame akai went down the toilet after the reference master series

Great video , would like that amp 💘

Most of these popular Japanese brands were clean sounding , but a bit thin in presence. Sansui was an exception , They always used big power supplies.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Yes I am a huge Sansui fan I have a bout 10 of them

I have the AM 35 still going strong.

Brilliant Kelvin Another real report on sound . Sound as we enjoy . Sooo many new kit very expensive so much speil of warm sound transparent blah blah ....but really losing the plot . Hifi really hasnt improved since the 80,s I tried a hegel 120 and an atom But they just dont have that as you say smile im enjoying this cd . Id love you to pick up a mike creek 4040s2 . Let know what you think Great stuff Kelvin

I have only ONE.. the SANSUI - AU 317..30W rms / ch. @ 8 Ohms...& still going great guns even today since Dec. 1981.. ( our family Christmas purchase..)..👍👍 it's 40th .. coming up soon..

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

One of my favourite vintage amps for sure the 317

I have been looking at getting a Akai AA-1150 I suppose they are a bit off the radar compared to other makes out there and not spoken about much great video as always btw 👍

@paulgillingham1284

Жыл бұрын

I've got a Akai aa1150, bought one a few years back for £120 worth every penny, very detailed sound and very underated.

Very nice amp

Kelvin, I need advice. What speakers should I use with my Sansui au 717? I trust your opinion

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Big ones

I wonder how this compares to the monster Sansui of this era? The AU X701 and 901? The late 80s had a much under appreciated spike in hifi quality that keeps surprising me. Especially if you're a gen Xer like me who loves a wide spectrum of music. Vintage can struggle with electronic and and the stripped down uneven production of a lot of indie and garage bands of the time.

That looks nifty.

Thanks for a great and informative review Kelvin. Also leaving me with a question. To you opinion, could this amp drive my small (!) spendor A5's with their low sensitivity (85 dB)? This question because you speak of the AKAI amp only suitable for big speakers... Thanks!

@stereoreviewx

Жыл бұрын

I can’t imagine a problem it’s quite a beefy powerful amp

1990s reviewers would probably use the term "authority" in describing the Akai's bass. Speaking of air around female vocals, amp designers of the late 1980s would probably resort to valves / tubes to get it. It wasn't until the 1990s when a bloke named Tom Evans figured out to do this trick with solid state gear. Maybe this particular Akai probably sound gorgeous driving a pair of Linn Saras.

@jim586

3 жыл бұрын

Tom Evan’s designed the Michell Argo pre amp and ISO phono stage. Fantastic sounding equipment which I owned and enjoyed for donkeys years. He’s still making stuff now under his own name. Too expensive for me but, apparently, state of the art.

Daniel Craig with another great review

Where have you been Kelvin? Hope all's well. Could this amp be a perfect match for my JBL L112's? Currently using a TEAC A-R630 MK II which is nice sounding but maybe a little bit bass light despite it's 90watt power. I'm wondering if I need a high end bassy amp like this AKAI to get the 12" woofers (300W) in my JBL's to really come to life and start filling the room with some punchy bottom end?

@stereoreviewx

2 жыл бұрын

I think they would work the way you’re imagining😵

Hi. This is Bartek from Poland. I have Akai St 400 speakers from the early 70's and they are wonderful. I have a question. How would you compare the sound of the AM 73 to the Sansui Eight? I have Eight and I'm curious how it compares to Akai. greetings

@andyboa8107

3 жыл бұрын

You may try cheaper Akai AA-1050, it has larger following than those black Akai amps and doesn't break that much. I liked Akai AA-1050 much more than Sansui G-5000, both from late 1970s. Never had Eight. I think Akai is as underrated as Sansui is overrated.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Okay how can I describe this they both have plenty of base the Akai more the Sansui has more space probably bigger soundstage more noticeable separation The Akai is most entertaining in the base the Sansui is more full-spectrum entertaining across the frequencies. If you were a studio engineer you might prefer the accuracy of the Akai the Sansui has a bit more magic and its own character.

@oracz1983

3 жыл бұрын

in a word, sansui is more musical and Akai is more selective? Thank you for your response. I really like your channel. keep it up.

I like how you pronounce akai

Hi, very nice Akai. I have a nice Quad 606 v1, what do you think of it and do you think it is worth recapping? Thanks from California

@myu4039

3 жыл бұрын

Yes!

AKAI was the main competitor against SONY for RR tape Decks. That's will "turn you Japanese" if anything does...

A ship with no captain? sounds chaos.

list of priorities AKAI AM 93-95

Hi, Would you or will ever be doing any previews on any Hitachi kit? The reason why I ask is not many people seem to have much to say about this manufacturer. Keep your reviews coming.

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Yes I certainly will if I get my hands on it

"It's all I care about really." hilarious.

@stereoreviewx

Жыл бұрын

When I say that because other reviewers go on and on about the looks and the buttons and the speaker binding posts

Hey Kelvin. Nice looking machine. Does it sounds like Sansui? Or is that a stupid question. I had a AU-719 for about 10 years; was also about 18kg. I needed a crane.

@stereoreviewx

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not the same sound as a Sansui it’s very solid it’s not as beautiful in the top end

Akai Crossfield tape decks. Somewhere I must have the pricelist, dated Sixties and Seventies. I need a dragline to find the stuff. So, be prepared !

is the amp for sale

Like your no nonsense style. Those amps were Akais last bite at the hifi cherry. I liked their 70s stuff the best. Too much audio gear is way jewel boxed and overpriced today.

Famous for their samplers also

I own it ! I Love IT . Thanks for checking !

@stereoreviewx

2 жыл бұрын

I think the word monster applies here

I love my Akai AM 2800, sold my Cambridge azur 851A...

@samt1039

3 жыл бұрын

I agreed. I have both the AM-73 and AM 2800 but prefer the sound of 2800 more. The AM-73 is too flat for my taste.

I dont know about Akai amps.I find them blank.Infact i have this same amp right now hooked up because my sansui is in the shop.Compared to my sansui its not even close and in return makes me spoiled.However,its not close to the worst amps i have listened to.

Recap that puppy with modern capacitors and hear the angles sing again

Ich Lovestory Mythos am 69. He works for 30 years . 220 Watts. Per channel.

phono stage is good?

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

I must be honest I didn’t play the phono stage

@user-bc6ok1yh4s

3 ай бұрын

Sounds like an update or a redo is in order.@@stereoreviewx

He really makes me laugh.

Akai is super high end. Made today new would be 10K plus. Look at Yamaha AS 3000

Where is the sound pal?

There is no Match for vintage gear at all.

No mono no go.

Needs a few more nobs and selectors...looks sparse!

@stereoreviewx

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it’s a sensory deprivation zone this amp

In the Sixties the firm of FODOR in Rotterdam was the import firm of Akai and Marantz. It is said that FODOR did a grey import of lots of DENON from Ireland. Sold at very low price.

Vabbè sto qui non capisce un cazzo abbiamo capito

It doesn't sound good! It sounds like mud