Akai 4000DS
Stereo Reel to Reel Tape Recorder (1973-78)
Description
The Akai 4000DS is a four-track, two-channel stereo reel to reel tape recorder for use with 7" reels.
The employment of a highly efficient induction motor and boldly designed flywheel in the 4000DS results in stable tape travel and reduced wow and flutter.
This feature coupled with a three head system including Akai's one-micron gap playback head assures clear playback sound.
Specifications
Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system
Heads: 1 x record, 1 x playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 1 x SSM-1 4-pole induction
Reel size: up to 7 inch reel
Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4 7 1⁄2 ips
Wow and flutter: 0.15% (7 1⁄2 ips)
Frequency response: 30Hz to 23kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 50dB
Total harmonic distortion: 1.5%
Crosstalk: 50dB
Input: 70mV (line), 7mV (DIN), 0.8mV (mic)
Output: 1.228V (line), 0.4V (DIN)
Semiconductors: 11 x transistors, 4 x IC, 4 x diodes
Dimensions: 406 x 314 x 194mm
Weight: 11.4kg
Downloads
instruction/owners manual 
- Biro
mkII
instruction/owners manual - len davis
- Related Catalogues
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Reviews
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Reviewed Apr 29th, 2021 by Gekkegijs
Great machine, works well when serviced and quite reliable. Watch out for the LD3141 IC’s though, they can cause noise in recording and/or playback, and in the worst case they can cause a dead channel. It is an easy fix, just re-engineer the IC, enough info is to be found on the web about this. The mechanism needs some attention because it can seize. Apart from that, if you clean the mechanism well, it works like a charm.
I would recommend this machine to anyone who wants to start with listening to tape and wants a reliable machine.
Reviewed Aug 27th, 2019 by Glenn van der Busse
I have owned the 4000DS - MII model for many years and it still works and sounds great, only issue I have that it's just stopped recording.
Reviewed Feb 19th, 2019 by rage6
Amazing look! Great quality! If You have opportunity to buy it...
Reviewed May 22nd, 2017 by xagu
Great little reel to reel. Amazing sound.
re: 4000DS
My a k so 4000 d's all of a sudden won't pause or stop unless I power down the unit. When I power it on reel starts spinning can't stop it???
re: 4000DS
Hi richardsonljr,
The mechanism which is responsible for turning the reels is probably stuck. This is because the grease that was used to lubricate it, is now all dried up. If you clean the mechanism and give it some new grease, it will all be working again.
re: 4000DS
The MK II has the advantage of the wear resistant heads for lessening the hassles of head wear, as you will not find the parts for these decks unless you buy a parts donor. Old tape decks suffer from rotting rubber belts, hardening grease lubrication in moving parts, and switches that need cleaned due to intermittent operation. Old tape decks are not the sort of thing that you buy and can expect to run perfectly right off without some kind of service. You could compare to an old car stored in a garage for 30 years. Well, it ran when it was parked....Duh.
re: 4000DS
Hi all,
i recently acquired a 4000 DS MKII as my first R2R. Love it. I cleaned the heads with alcohol and also used a demagnetizer. What bothers me is how loud the take up reel is. When i want to listen to a tape, the background noise of the reel turning is very annoying. Is this normal ? It almost makes me want to keep the unit in a different room and take long line outs in my "listening" room so be able to listen properly :)
Any tips? suggestions? similar issues?
re: 4000DS
I have had a 4000DS for 40 years, to my shame it has been in storage for the last 25 years, but I have now retrieved it and cleaned it up and amazingly it still works. A bit scratchy hear and there the track selector needs attention. Moving it around kind of fixed it. I have tried to get the selector and the pause lever off, but can't find a hex key to fit. Does anyone know what size it is. Thanks for any help. Paul
re: 4000DS
Had a pioneer rt707 in the late 70’s early80’s which got lost. Just got one 4000ds for 140 euros .unbelievable! Works perfect
I still have about 50 tapes and they still work
Fantastic “car”!
re: 4000DS
Hi all, I have recently purchased an Akai 4000DS MkII which I am having difficulty recording with. As far as I know all my cables are in their correct sockets, so what am I doing wrong. Help needed thank you
re: 4000DS
I have this same recorder. Can you tell me specifically what problems you're having?
re: 4000DS
I just bought one in great like new condition, the seller told me the motor works b ut the belt old and needs change, i will change them and see.
It is amazing piece of hifi history.
Thank you for hifi engine for all the effort and information that keeps all Audio fans happy.
re: 4000DS
Anyone know of a video on adjusting the heads? Thanks
re: 4000DS
It's surely not the best way, but here is what I did-
I had an RCA issued copy of a Guess Who reel. I played it back while adjusting the playback head, I was listening through headphones tweaking the head until the high frequency was as good as I could get. It really wasn't off. After that, I engaged my mono switch on my receiver to ensure that there was no phasing effect. Now, here is the hardest part, start recording on a blank tape while listening through the playback head. Make sure you are using 7.5ips. You can adjust the recording head but you won't hear the results until that section of tape reaches the playback head. Certainly just a few milliseconds later, but it can be a little tricky.
Of course the absolute best way would be to use a head alignment tape and (I think) an oscilloscope. But my way will work if you don't have access to either...
re: 4000DS
Does anyone have a spare pause knob and a track selector knob for a 4000DS ?
re: 4000DS
They must be the parts to loose, I just picked up one and missing the same parts.
re: 4000DS Mono playback
OK, here's one in case others come across this.
Just bought a used 4000DS on eBay to play back my 45 year old mono tapes.
No matter how I toggled the track selector I was getting to hear two different mono tracks simultaneously.
Solution? Pull upwards on the centre right hand recording selector switch until it clicks. Voila - mono playback!
It does tell you this in teeny weeny print on the controls diagram in the manual but luckily my seller helped me out, otherwise I would never have spotted this.
re: 4000DS
What's the difference between an AKAI 4000DS MKI and a MKII?
re: 4000DS
Hello. I have an issue with my 35 year old machine in that it will not fast forward or is sluggish to play. I swapped over the rewind drive wheel for the fast forward/drive wheel and the problem transferred with the change.
Therefore it would appear that I need a new idler drive wheel. This wheel is about 50mm across and is of metal construction with a hard rubber coating. Think the part no. is MI204423 or M1204423. Any ideas where I can get one from please. We live in the UK.
Regards
Rob
re: 4000DS
Hi all,
I just bought this Akai 4000ds and everything appears to work okay except the right channel is much quieter than the left. It records and plays back quieter. Any ideas on what could be causing this and/or how to possibly resolve it?
re: 4000DS
Sorry, I didn't realize the original post is over two years old...
Hopefully your deck is now operating correctly.
re: 4000DS
The first thing I would do is to ensure that the heads are clean. The middle head is the recording head. If you have access to a reel that was recorded on a different machine, or perhaps a pre-recorded (factory) reel, see how it plays. I have had my deck since I bought it new! Around 1976 if my memory serves me correctly...
re: 4000DS
Change the transistor 2SC458 LG with similar 2SC458 C or 2SC2240,2SC1815 ! All transitors must be change in PB and REC and for records must re-adjustment frequency responce after change transistors!
re: 4000DS
attenzione a non tirare il pomello di registrazione del canale dx perché serve a registrare in mono come dice la scritta piccola sotto
re: 4000DS - Tape
Hi. Can anyone recommend a supplier of 1/4 inch low-noise tape on 7 inch reels in the UK, or shipping there? Thanks!
re: 4000DS - Tape
Hi, tape city are still selling brand new tape in the UK.
Decent quality as well.
May be worth ordering a few as shipping is £5.95 wether you buy 1 or 20.
Hope this helps :)
re: 4000DS
Hello fellow Akai 4000DS MKII wigglers!
I have a short question: Anyone has experience of how to clean the track selector switch? I figure I have to dismantle the head block in order to take the rotary switch out. But how to clean this thing? Leave it to a technician instead?
Cheers
/björn
re: 4000DS
I had a similar problem. I took the knob off and the black cover over the heads. Sprayed the switch mechanism with Electrowash while rotating the switch back and forth. Fixed my particular version of the problem .
re: 4000DS
limpie con aire comprimido primero y despues use un producto como sprakleen
re: 4000DS
Hello to all,i'm looking for the both head playback and recording,for my Akai 4000DS.
Where i could find and buy these parts? Thanks and best regards.pierre.
re: 4000DS
hi all
hope someone out there can help with this one , i have 2 of these decks and they are both showing the same fault there is no output from the left channel on playback when the monitor switch is set to tape they both record fine and recorded tapes playback fine on both channels on my teac x2000 and akai 636
i have replaced all caps and transistors and even the complete headblock on one with no success all swiches have been cleaned with servisol including the record slider switch as i know these can cause one channel to drop out but still nothing
thanks .
re: 4000DS
si grba bien pero no reproduce un canal falla esta en placas de reproduccion verifique con oscioscopio traza de señal en esta placa hay esta falla
re: 4000DS
Probably it is due to some playback head wearing ( If the deck shows same behavior with all tapes over all).
re: 4000DS
Thanks Billy but i have replaced the complete headblock with a confirmed working unit to eliminate the track selector switch too but alas still nothing :(
re: 4000DS
Do the VU's show anything in playback mode?
4000DS Track Knob Set Screw
The small set screw (grub screw) securing the Pause button and Track knob is 1.4mm . It's not in the manual, and I couldn't find it on the web. I figured it out by trial and error.
re: 4000DS
Hello All,
I'm checking over a 4000DS for a local charity I help out. It's a US model, 120V (60Hz) 35W, with no option for voltage conversion etc. How can I get it powered up here in the UK? Thanks, Chris
re: 4000DS
Have a look at the transformer, maybe you can reweld something. Otherwise you'll have to use a pretransformer. You will also have to change the frequency setting for the US model is going to run too slow because US mains are 60cps, UK ist 50cps.
AKAI 4000DS - inconsistent speed
Hi all,
Just picked up a cheap AKAI 4000DS to play back a series of 7 1/2 tapes. I can successfully adjust to the speed i need, but it doesn't remain consistent, sometimes slowing down a touch for periods. On a recent play-through of a tape it also stopped completely of its own accord. Does this sound like it's something to do with the motor or belts? Forgive my ignorance but I'm completely new to reel-to-reel recorders and this is something I've been asked to do for work. Any and all help appreciated!
re: AKAI 4000DS - inconsistent speed
If the tapes are old And worn out , they could ne gumming Up the heads .If you see rust on the heads , throw out the tapes.
re: 4000DS
I just picked up an Akai 4000DS mkII. What tape do you guys recommend I get for it?
re: 4000DS
Low Noise tapes of course - mostly called LH = Low Noise/High Output. By the way , Popular Electronics (USA) has a complete Hirsch-Houck Labs test reports way back in the Oct. 1973 issue. They used a Sony SLH -180 tape on a AKAI 4000DS and it can easily go to the 25KHz ! In the year 2016 there is no many tape brands available. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1973/Poptroni... just download that and you can read full test report !!!
re: 4000DS
hi there, how did you go on with getting hold of tape for your akai, and what did you get ??
I had some old tape but had problems with it screeching, managed to find some unused tape on ebay,
of no particular brand it would seem, and it solved the screech problem !! paid around £10 for a reel.
re: 4000DS
In Germany you can get brand new tape from Bluthardt etc. If you prefer used tapes, BASF and Maxell is my recommendention.
Avoid Shamrock Tapes even if you get them for free.
re: 4000DS
I just purchased a Used AKAI 4000DS It works very well on Tapes I have recorded on a previous machine. The problem I'm experiencing is in the record mode the right channel produces noise. The noise is present when Idling or playing. Just turning the unit on I see the right VU meter move about 20db or so and produces a noise in the right speaker. When I record in Monaural the right channel is out of the circuit, and the recorder plays or Idols without noise. Any Ideas where I can trace it down to.
Preamp, Filtering in the right channel?
re: 4000DS
Hi ,the 2 slider switches inside the machine that engage the record circuit need a blast with servisol switch cleaner then work the lever to record and back a few times ,this has worked on every akai deck ive had including 1721 and 4000 series .Hope this helps .Gordon.
re: 4000DS
Hi Don, i would first check or replace all cables, and also double check you have the correct configuration of input and outputs, to and from any other components. failing that someone else on here can hopefully help you, regards and good look.
re: 4000DS
I may be interested in the cover for the 4000ds if it is still available. How much? I also have a question. I picked up my 4000ds mcii at a flee market a few years ago. They did not even know what it was. She thought is was a projector. Any way it came with a box of about 50 ampex tapes. The play function works great however it will not record. All inputs work fine including the mic inputs. The record light just does not come on. I think the record head is probably ok and it might be an electrical issue but not really sure. Any thoughts? Also I was at an estate sale a few weeks ago where everything had to go. At the last hour I bought a Sony TC-353D reel to reel that was still brand new in the box and had never been opened or unpacked. Date on the box is Feb. 2 1972. This machine had never seen the light of day. I bought it for $30.00. I brought it home, set it up and checked everything out. It plays and records great for awhile. Then the speed seems to slow down. I re-oiled the gears thinking everything maybe dried up. Again It works fine for a while but still slows down after a period of time. Even the fast forward and rewind mode is slow. Maybe the motor bearings are dry too I don't know. Any thoughts?
re: 4000DS
The rubber belts are 43 years old!, no rubber belt holds its properties for so long, replacing all of them could be your solution.
re: 4000DS
Hi all any comments on this. To the guy who is looking for a cover, I have one on an imaculate 4000DS that comes with an original instruction manual. Owned since 1973 and hardly used. Not used on the last 26 years, a genuine barn find.
re: 4000DS
Hi
I would be interested in the cover if you still have it. I'm based in Swansea
Allan
re: 4000DS
Hi Tom,
Is the cover still available? I'm interested...
Thanks,
Jeremy
re: 4000DS
hi there, i have since found a cover for the Akai, but thanks all the same, i would however be interested in acquiring two genuine Akai tape reels though, if I'm not mistaken they were metal reels sporting the Akai logo.