A&D GX-Z7100EV  DISCRETE HEAD STEREO CASSETTE DECK


This is Akai’s flagship cassette deck released in 1991 and is also the last model before Akai withdrew from the high-end audio market.  It is regarded by most, if not all, as the best modern Akai ever made.  The A&D GX-Z7100 series is known as Akai GX-75 in the US and global market.

The GX-Z7100EV is the third generation of the 7100/9100 series.  It upgraded to the original version with discrete Super GX heads using Class-1 Quantum LC-OFC coils, dual construction reels, and a brand new circuit design.  It is basically the same as the export model GX-75 MkII Reference Master except for that it is fitted with a pair of more modern looking side panels and round-edged knobs and buttons.  The Z7100EV shares the same structure and major features as the Z9100EV (GX-95 MkII Reference Master), which include:











The Z7100EV employs several technological advances to max out the cassette performance.  Deck sports a true discrete head layout in which the record, playback, and erase heads are physically and electrically independent.  This enables the ability to individually align and optimize for perfect results.  The Akai's tried and true closed loop double capstan Quick&Quiet transport system with ceramic composite tape guides ensures ultra smooth and stable tape travel.  The separate block configuration, in which the pre-amp, system control, separate record and playback equalizer circuit, bias/Dolby circuit, headphone, etc. are independently placed, eliminates the electronic interferences of power supply and between circuits.  Even the FL display can be turned off during recording or playback to slash any noise generated by the circuit.  These sophisticated designs, along with the superior transport system, allow the music to be faithfully reproduced with the highest degree of fidelity and accuracy.  Deck excels a 15Hz to 23kHz +/-3dB frequency response with metal tapes, 59dB S/N with Dolby off or 79dB with Dolby C on, 0.025% WRMS wow & flutter, and 0.5% THD at 315Hz with metal tapes. Deck weighs hefty 22 lbs.

This is one of the Z7100-series decks I have and I'm unloading it to lighten up my mass cassette deck collection.  Deck was purchased brand new in 1994 and used very sparingly.  Everything works flawlessly.  There are no damages or blemishes anywhere.  Deck is Japanese version that operates on 100V AC.  A 120V to 100V stepdown voltage converter/transformer is required to properly power this unit.  Please contact me for detail if you need one.  Comes with original remote and operating instructions (in Japanese).  Bidders from outside the continental US are highly encouraged to contact me for a quote on the shipping cost prior to bidding.  Any questions please feel free to ask.

Among over 50 cassette decks I have owned and collected this is one of my all time favorites.  The Z7100EV/GX-75MkII is very musical and has a wider, more open sound stage compared to any of my 3-head Nakamichi's.  The image is more three-dimensional and the vocal is absolutely the sweetest.  The sound is definitely different from the CD but sometimes I cannot tell which is which.  On a side note, the MkII version (both GX-75 and GX-95) uses a different design on the playback EQ circuit than the MkI.  Instead of using a single IC for both channels the MkII sports two 4580DD’s (one for each channel) for the output amp making it a non return, true discrete, open loop circuit.  Such design, along with the use of Sony CX20187 Dolby chips and other upgrades, makes the MkII a totally different machine!

 




A&D stands for Akai & Diatone.  Diatone is the name for Japanese Mitsubishi for their home audio segment.  The brand AKAI was no longer used and was replaced by A&D in Japan since 1987 when merged by Mitsubishi.  Nevertheless, the cassette deck is still 100% Akai.  It was made by Akai Electric Co. Ltd (赤井電機株式会社) as shown on the back panel.