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This is the fourth Akai AP-100C I restored. Still one of the best belt-drive turntables I know. Iconic piece form the late 70s. Akai AP-100 C is belt-driven, beautifully designed and constructed hifi turntable. This is the silver version. It is a semi-automatic turntable with auto-return function, spins with 33-1/3 and 45 rpm. This is a completely cleaned and restored item with new belt and the original Akai head shell equipped with a the original Akai PC-100 cartridge and stylus. The turntable is cleaned, tested, fully functional, looks beautiful and sounds fantastic. The original Akai DIN / RCA transformer cable is also part of the package.SpecificationsManufacturer: Akai Electric Co., Ltd.; TokyoModel: AP-100 CSerial number: 31142-04172Type: 2-Speed Auto-Return TurntableYears of manufacture: 1978 - 1980Made in: JapanPower requirements: AC 220V, 50Hz (Europe model)Drive system: Belt driveMotors: 4-pole synchronous motorSpeeds: 33-1/3 and 45rpmWow and flutter: 0.05% WRMSSignal to noise ratio: Better than 53dB (JIS) / 43dB (DIN A) / 64dB (DIN B)Platter: Diameter - 300mm Material: Aluminum die-castDimensions (W x H x D): 440 x 145 x 355mmWeight: 6.1kgTonearmType - Static balanced type with inside force cancellerEffective length - 220mmStylus pressure adjustment range - 0 to 4gApplicable cartridge weight - 5 to 8.5gArm lifter - Oil dampedOverhang - 15mmOffset Angle - 22˚ 30’Horizontal tracking error angle - ±2˚Shell weight - 7gCartridgeType - Tri-pole induced magnet typeModel - Akai RS-100 with 0.65 mil diamond stylus Akai model RS-100 (DIN)Output voltage - 4mV (1kHz, 5 cm / s)Channel separation - More than 20dB (1kHz)Optimus stylus pressure - 2gCompliance - 10 x 10-6 cm / dyne (100Hz)International shipping in a hard cardboard box, carefully and safely lined.
Generating expert take…
Akai Electric Company Ltd. traces its origins to Japan, founded by engineer Masukichi Akai in Tokyo around 1929, with his son Saburo Akai playing a key role in its early growth. Initially focused on affordable radio components, the firm formalized as a full electronics manufacturer post-World War II, often cited as 1946. By the mid-20th century, Akai had evolved into a prominent name in consumer audio, peaking in the 1970s before financial troubles led to its exit from the industry in 1991.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality tape-based audio gear, including reel-to-reel tape recorders, cassette decks, tuners, amplifiers, and complete stereo systems that brought professional-grade sound to homes. In the late 1980s, Akai Professional revolutionized music production with the MPC series—starting with the 1988 MPC60, co-designed by Roger Linn—integrating sampling, sequencing, and velocity-sensitive pads into compact workstations that defined hip-hop and electronic genres.
Today, Akai holds a revered vintage-collector status among hi-fi enthusiasts for its robust 1970s components, prized for their warm analog character and build quality. In the pro audio realm, the MPC line endures as an iconic, mid-to-high-end tool for beatmakers, with modern iterations sustaining the brand through licensing. While not a current leader in traditional hi-fi like amplifiers or speakers, its heritage appeals to savvy buyers seeking timeless reliability over fleeting trends.
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