Vintage tape at its most beautiful. The Akai M-7 is an early-to-mid 1960s tube reel-to-reel, a four-track, four-speed semi-professional deck with separate valve amplifiers for each channel, twin glowing VU meters and Akai's clever cross-field bias recording head. It is a genuine piece of audio history (these were rebadged as Roberts in the US), as much a centerpiece as a machine, and its tube electronics are increasingly prized in their own right.

FEATURES & PROS:

• All-Tube Electronics: separate valve amplifiers per channel (EF86, 12AD7 and EL84-family tubes), the part people now covet for tube colour.
• Cross-Field Recording: Akai's cross-field bias head for extended frequency response, 30Hz to 23kHz at 7.5 ips.
• Four Speeds: 1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2 and 15 ips via a two-speed hysteresis motor and removable capstan sleeve.
• Twin VU Meters: those gorgeous glowing meters, one per channel, on a handsome vintage deck.
• Hands-On: mic and line inputs, a built-in speaker and proper mechanical transport levers.

GENRE / USE

• Tape character and gentle lo-fi colour for vocals, drums and full mixes
• A tube mic-preamp and DI source: the M-7's valve pre is a popular conversion for warming up signals
• A striking studio or living-room centerpiece that still plays back tapes
• Cross-field tape recording at up to 15 ips for higher-fidelity captures

THE WORD: Collectors and the tape community rate the M-7 as a handsome semi-professional deck notable for Akai's pioneering cross-field bias system, and increasingly sought for its all-tube electronics and mic-preamp potential rather than chart-topping fidelity. More at Reel-Reel.com.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: tube reel-to-reel tape recorder, 4-track, 2-channel stereo and mono
• Era: early to mid 1960s; made in Japan (rebadged as Roberts in the US)
• Heads: three-head system with Akai cross-field bias
• Tape speeds: 1 7/8, 3 3/4, 7 1/2 and 15 ips (two-speed hysteresis motor plus capstan sleeve)
• Frequency response: 30Hz to 23kHz at 7.5 ips
• Electronics: separate tube amplifiers per channel; built-in oval speaker
• Connections: quarter-inch jacks for mic, line and speaker
• Weight: approx 22kg (48 lbs)
• Condition: used, vintage; sold as-is, likely to need servicing