AKAI 1710W: Vintage Audio Collector's Notebook
Introduction
The AKAI 1710W occupies a special place in the history of domestic reel-to-reel tape recorders. Introduced during the late 1960s, it combined a high-quality tape transport with an integrated valve amplifier and detachable loudspeakers, creating a complete home recording system in a single package. Designed for music lovers, hobbyists and aspiring recording enthusiasts, the 1710W offered an accessible entry into high-fidelity tape recording while retaining many of the engineering qualities that helped establish AKAI's reputation for reliable and innovative audio equipment.
This article is not intended to replace the original service manual or sales literature. Instead, it serves as an owner’s reference that combines historical information, practical experience and engineering observations gathered from living with, operating and studying an original AKAI 1710W. Throughout the article, I draw upon my own machine, original documentation and period sources to explain not only what the recorder does, but why its design remains interesting more than half a century after it first appeared.
The recorder featured here is my own AKAI 1710W. Rather than relying solely on catalogue photographs, the images throughout this article document the actual machine as it was purchased and as it continues to be used. As further maintenance, servicing and research are carried out, this page will continue to evolve with additional workshop notes and engineering insights, gradually becoming a comprehensive reference for one of AKAI's classic open-reel recorders.
Description
The AKAI 1710W is a self-contained, four-track reel-to-reel tape recorder designed for domestic recording and playback. Its substantial wooden cabinet contains the tape transport, recording electronics, amplification and loudspeakers, allowing the machine to operate as a complete audio system rather than merely as a tape deck connected to separate equipment.
The front panel is arranged around a conventional horizontal tape path, with the supply and take-up reels positioned above the heads and transport controls. Two illuminated VU meters provide separate level indication for the left and right channels, while the rotary controls below them manage recording level, tone and playback volume. The recorder supports several tape speeds, enabling the owner to choose between longer recording time and improved sound quality.
Although the 1710W belongs to the transitional period between valve and fully transistorised audio equipment, its design combines traditional valve circuitry with a mechanically robust AKAI transport. The result is a machine that reflects both eras: visually and operationally similar to the portable recorders of the early 1960s, but capable of stereo recording and integration with a larger home audio system through the connections provided on its rear panel.
The example featured throughout this article is the machine in my own collection. Its cabinet, controls, illuminated meters and rear-panel connections remain in notably well-preserved condition, providing a useful reference for examining how the AKAI 1710W was constructed, operated and intended to be used.
Key Features
Integrated Valve Stereo Amplifier
One of the AKAI 1710W's defining characteristics is its integrated valve stereo amplifier. Unlike later reel-to-reel decks that required connection to an external hi-fi system, the 1710W was designed as a complete home entertainment centre. The recorder incorporates its own amplifier and detachable loudspeakers, allowing music to be played directly from tape without additional equipment.
The use of valve electronics reflects the transitional period in which the recorder was designed. By the late 1960s many manufacturers were moving towards fully transistorised equipment, yet valves remained highly regarded for their stable performance and proven audio quality. The result is a recorder that combines traditional valve technology with AKAI's mechanically refined tape transport, producing a machine that remains enjoyable to listen to and rewarding to restore.
Feature: Detachable Stereo Speaker System
The AKAI 1710W was intended to be more than a tape recorder. Its pair of detachable loudspeakers transform the recorder into a self-contained stereo music system that could be used immediately after purchase. The speakers may be positioned on either side of the recorder to create a proper stereo soundstage, an arrangement that was both practical and visually impressive in the family lounge room of the late 1960s.
For owners wishing to integrate the recorder into a larger hi-fi system, the rear panel also provides connections for external audio equipment. This flexibility allowed the 1710W to serve equally well as a standalone recorder or as part of an expanding home audio system, making it an attractive investment for enthusiasts entering the world of high-fidelity recording.
Feature: Four-Track Stereo Recording
The AKAI 1710W employs the four-track stereo recording format that became the domestic standard for consumer reel-to-reel machines. Rather than dedicating an entire tape to a single recording direction, the tape is divided into four narrow tracks, allowing two complete stereo recordings to be made—one in each direction. This effectively doubles the available playing time and makes much more economical use of what was, at the time, an expensive recording medium.
Combined with selectable tape speeds, the four-track format gave owners the flexibility to balance recording duration against sound quality. Family recordings, spoken word and radio broadcasts could be captured economically at lower tape speeds, while music recordings could be made at higher speeds for improved fidelity. This versatility was one of the reasons reel-to-reel recorders became such popular home recording systems during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Collector's Market
Today's eBay marketplace for reel-to-reel tape recorders offers one of the broadest selections available anywhere, ranging from inexpensive "for parts or repair" machines for under AUD $100, through complete entry-level domestic recorders in the $200–700 range, to well-preserved enthusiast models from Akai, Sony, TEAC, Pioneer and Revox typically selling for $800–2,500 depending on condition and servicing. At the collector end of the market, professionally restored studio machines and rare flagship models can exceed $5,000. Shipping costs can be significant because many machines weigh 15–35 kg, so local pickup listings are common.
Gallery
Explore the AKAI 1710 through an extensive photographic gallery documenting the recorder from every angle. These images highlight the machine's styling, controls, transport, rear connections, detachable speaker cabinet and accessories, providing collectors, restorers and enthusiasts with a detailed visual reference that complements the technical information presented throughout this article.
Curator's Notes
I bought the AKAI 1710W because I wanted to add a reel-to-reel recorder to my vintage audio collection. I had used a reel-to-reel machine in my younger years, so there was something immediately familiar about returning to one. Nobody ever formally showed me how to operate these machines, but once you stop and think about the controls, they are reasonably clear.
Reel-to-reel recorders are particularly appealing to people who enjoy the technical side of audio. You do not simply press play and walk away. You thread the tape through the transport, guide it across the heads and rollers, and remain conscious of the mechanics whenever you move between fast forward, stop and play. There is a physical process involved, and the machine expects a little respect.
The 1710W is generally regarded as an entry-level recorder, but I genuinely enjoy its sound. It may not meet the strictest technical definition of high fidelity, yet it is very pleasurable to listen to. Analogue recording can be wonderfully forgiving, and the character of the machine often matters more than a perfect specification sheet.
These recorders were also built like tanks. My unit is probably around fifty years old, yet it still works both electrically and mechanically. It is not perfect: one channel is noticeably louder than the other. I suspect that a proper service and recalibration would correct the imbalance.
That is one of the great challenges of collecting vintage audio. The machines may survive for decades, but finding a skilled technician who understands how to service them can be difficult, even in a major city. Despite that, I love my AKAI 1710W and continue to use it as a working part of my collection rather than merely keeping it as a display piece.
Reader Guide
The following material expands on the terminology, historical context, technical concepts, and related reading connected to this article.
Glossary
- Capstan
- A precision-machined steel shaft that controls the tape speed during recording and playback. Working together with the pinch roller, the capstan pulls the tape past the heads at a constant rate, ensuring stable pitch and accurate reproduction.
- Pinch Roller
- A rubber wheel that presses the magnetic tape firmly against the rotating capstan. Good condition is essential for smooth tape transport, while worn or hardened pinch rollers can cause speed instability, slippage and uneven tape movement.
- VU Meter
- A Volume Unit (VU) meter displays the average audio recording level. It helps the operator set recording levels that are strong enough to minimise tape noise while avoiding distortion caused by overloading the magnetic tape.
- Four-Track Recording
- A recording format that divides the tape into four narrow tracks, allowing two stereo recordings to be made on opposite sides of the tape. This became the standard format for domestic reel-to-reel recorders, providing longer recording times and more economical use of tape.
- Bias
- A high-frequency electrical signal added to the audio during recording to improve linearity and reduce distortion. Although inaudible, correct bias is essential for achieving good sound quality and is carefully adjusted during recorder servicing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AKAI 1710W?
The AKAI 1710W is a four-track stereo reel-to-reel tape recorder from the late 1960s. It combines a tape transport, valve amplification and detachable loudspeakers in a self-contained domestic audio system.
Does the AKAI 1710W use valves?
Yes. The AKAI 1710W uses valve-based audio circuitry, reflecting the transitional period before fully transistorised reel-to-reel recorders became standard.
Can the AKAI 1710W record in stereo?
Yes. The AKAI 1710W supports four-track stereo recording, allowing two stereo programmes to be recorded on opposite sides of the tape.
Can the AKAI 1710W be used without an external amplifier?
Yes. The recorder includes its own stereo amplifier and detachable loudspeakers, so it can operate as a complete standalone recording and playback system.
Related articles…
References
- Akai Service Manual – Model 1700/1710
Disclosure
This article is provided for historical, educational, and entertainment purposes. Product names, trademarks, and copyrighted material are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners. Opinions expressed are those of the author based on personal experience and research, and no affiliation with or endorsement by the original creators or rights holders is implied.