![]() ![]() This focused field system eliminates undue equalization, minimizes high frequency loss, and achieves a wider dynamic range.įurther, sound drop-out is eliminated, head to tape contact and signal to noise ratio improved, and the hardness of the head materials provide dust free and wear free characteristics for longer lasting performance. The superior magnetic properties of the head material and special processing allowed the formation of a perfectly lineal shallow head gap, an acute head surface angle contour, and focusing of the magnetic field into a sharp oblong radius. I cannot remember exactly what PSU I used now, however it was a small silent-switcher style design.As is well known, the core of Akai's GX Head is made of crystal ferrite and is mounted and set in glass. Coupled with the SPDIF converter here, the result is a truly fantastic performing ADC once boxed and fed with a decent PSU. Unsurprisingly, apart from the SU-8 alone, none of the above measurements look like what we're used to seeing here.Īs a small side note. It's nice to see the data back this up by showing the uneven frequency response of the recording when compared to the pre-amp only measurement. I always had noticed the recordings from the deck had more bass, and sounded a little muddy when compared to the source. Obviously it doesn't sound like a modern day DAC, but I would never expect it too. However, I will say that, I was always surprised by how good this deck sounds. Unfortunately, I won't be the best at explaining what it all means. I hope anyone who took the time to read this post has managed to get something out of it. However, as I first mentioned, I am not an expert in this area by any stretch of the imagination. Apart from the uneven frequency response, it doesn't seem too bad. I was expecting it to be a total horror show. I wonder if this would show any improvement with re-capping the power supply board? I have only re-capped the pre-amp board so far.Īll in all, I was surprised by the above. There is also a bulge around 50hz which I'm guessing it due to mains in the UK. As I have always thought, there is elevation in low frequencies. Yeah, this is pretty ugly compared to what we're used to seeing on this website. The below measurements shows the SMSL DAC plugged directly into ADC: ADC is being used single-ended and not balanced which loses 6db of dynamic range.Measurements have not been offset to 0db.Bitrates all set to match between DAC and ADC etc (96khz).SoundBlaster responsible for Digital-to-Digital conversion only.Toslink connects from the ADC to SoundBlaster 1240.Audio Precision results for the ADC can be found on Tomi Nihitila's website: Click Here.The SMSL DAC has already been reviewed and measured courtesy of our friend Amir: Click Here.However, I've wanted to have a go at testing and measuring something for a while now, and this felt like the perfect starting point.Ĭhain of devices (in loop): Windows PC -> SMSL DAC -> Akai GX-620 -> Nihtila ADC -> SoundBlaster 1240 (via Toslink) -> Windows PC I don't imagine it is particularly well calibrated, and the tape heads have probably seen better days. However, I do find there is a bit too much bass when recording to tape. I have always been quite surprised by how good this thing sounds when listening to the source. I replaced all the dodgy Akai transistors and swapped out the electrolytic capacitors whilst I was at it. ![]()
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