This is a legend among reel-to-reel tape recorders, not only thanks to its sound quality, but also due to its uniquely futuristic design and technical innovations that were truly revolutionary in the 1980s. What are they?

Bidirectional playback and recording made possible by six heads – which means the tape doesn’t need to be flipped manually.

GX heads (Glass & Crystal): AKAI developed these glass-ceramic heads with extremely low wear, delivering clear, detailed sound even after many years of use.

Lambda loading system: The tape is guided automatically into position using a special rotating wheel.

But what really matters here is the design and build. The aesthetically pleasing, robust metal body with an aluminum front panel feels professional and timeless. Even after more than 40 years, it looks almost new, because even the plastic components are unusually resistant to aging.