Akai HX-A3X Stereo Cassette Deck

The Akai HX-A3X is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B and C and DBX noise reduction, it was introduced by Akai in 1986.

The main features of the Akai HX-A3X cassette deck are: 2 heads, electronic tape counter with 4 digits, automatic tape type selection with support for normal, chrome and metal tapes, belt driven single-capstan transport.

Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the Akai HX-A3X cassette deck are generic digital peak reading meters. Full-logic transport controls used on the Akai HX-A3X let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection.

Dolby C-type used in the Akai HX-A3X provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, fully doubling the amount given by B-type. Dbx Type II found in the HX-A3X is a simplified version of the Type I noise reduction system. The dbx Type II system was designed to be used with systems with limited bandwidth such as cassette based recorders and also uses a simple 2:1:2 compander to reduce noise.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wired remote control.