AKAI 4000DB One Micron Head Reel-to-Reel Recorder with Dolby – NOS / IOB

An ultra-rare opportunity to own a brand new, 50 year old reel-to-reel recorder in truly pristine, as-new operating condition.

This AKAI 4000DB was fully restored to perfection in July 2025 by one of the world’s foremost reel-to-reel specialists, Curt Palme of ReelToReelTech.com.

All known-to-fail BC458 transistors were replaced, every electronic component was tested and renewed as needed, all aged lubricants were cleaned and re-applied, and the deck was calibrated and aligned precisely to factory specifications.

The original head appeared to be defective from the factory, so it has been replaced with a mint condition, barely used head, ensuring flawless playback and recording performance.

The deck has been thoroughly tested and performs beautifully.

Includes the original box and a reprint of the user manual.
Will be double boxed and shipped free within the continental U.S.

Description

The 4000DB is an attractively designed compact tape deck offering multiple connections and controls and quality features among which are Akai's one micron gap heads for high density recording and the well known Dolby Noise Reduction System.

Tape Head

Akai's one-micron gap head is responsible for an amazingly important difference in tape recording. It's the difference between ordinary performance and high density quality recording and playback. Ordinary head gaps are from 2 to 4 microns, but the gap of this outstanding head is only one micron. This high density recording system provides excellent frequency response and clear, high pitched sound is generated as a frequency tone and recorded smoothly without distortion.

Dolby Noise Reduction

With the Dolby Noise Reduction System, hissing noise heretofore thought impossible to eliminate, is reduced to a completely inaudible level. Basically, this circuit boosts the low level signals prior to recording and lowers them by precisely that same amount at playback time. During this revolutionary process, the extraneous noise is eliminated, thus also eliminating tape hiss.

Dual Monitoring

A Tape Monitor Switch and three heads facilitate instant comparison of the recording being made with source signals. Easy confirmation of recording quality results in a more professional recording. The 4000DB is also equipped with a front panel headphone jack for monitoring or private headphone listening.

Sound on Sound Recording

Sound-On-Sound is the accumulation of as many individual recordings on a single track as is desired. For instance, record on track 1 and rewind tape. While monitoring the first recording through headphones, record on track 3. Both recordings will merge on track 3. Repeat as many times as is desired by switching Track Selector positions. Convenient for fun or professional use.

Sound with Sound

Record on one track, then rewind tape and record on another track while listening to first recording through headphones. Playback and compare! Especially convenient for repetition and comparison exercises such as when studying a foreign language, etc.

Sound Mixing

Independent line and microphone recording level controls and input jacks enable signals from microphone and line sources to be blended and recorded simultaneously. Record your own vocal style accompanied by your favourite orchestra, etc. Interesting and entertaining.

Automatic Shut Off

Threading the tape through the Automatic Shut-Off Lever and setting the Power Switch to Shut-Off position is all that is necessary to effect Automatic Shut-Off at the end of the tape. A convenient safety feature should the unit be left unattended.

Pause Control

Momentarily stops tape travel during recording or playback. Pause control is especially useful when editing tapes. Simply lift Pause Lever when a certain portion of the program is not desired. Easy Start Button release.

VU Meters

Internally illuminated expanded scale VU Meters provide quick and accurate determination of recording and playback levels.

Sturdy Mechanism

In keeping with Akai's top quality parts utilization policy, the 4000DB also features robust construction and sturdy mechanism. Further, a highly efficient induction type motor assures stable tape travel and ideal starting torque. The characteristics of this motor coupled with a boldly designed flywheel reduces wow and flutter significantly.