Vtg XLT AKAI Cross-Field X-360D Tape Player Reel to Reel Wood Case Fully

Offered is an extensively updated Akai X-360D reel-to-reel in excellent working as well as very nice cosmetic condition.  At the time it was made, this was the top-of-line consumer electronics model.  It is a three motor design which includes a 3 speed (1 7/8, 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips) synchronous capstan motor. This model does not have the Dolby option or the built-in audio amplifier.  According to the original owner this deck had been used lightly when new but had spent most of its life unused.  Consistent with this assertion was the observation that the heads showed very little (if any) wear and that the pinch roller showed very little use.  There was also a second, spare pinch roller which was clearly unused.  Also included is a metal collar that slips onto the capstan shaft with a locking cap for 15 ips operation (not tested). I always document work done.  As received the unit was quite clean and untested. While some Akai models are considered work horses, the X-360 series is notorious for having numerous of electronic components that do not age well (even in units that have seen little use; just look at the number of on-line listings that state "for parts").  Therefore some recapping and replacement of the spark arrestors (a safety cap in series with a resistor) was performed even before turning things on.  Even then some of the remaining spark arrestors developed signs of failure (both physically and operationally) during the initial basic testing (see last photo).  Though all main functions were seen to be operational, major servicing was clearly needed.
Service items: 1. All electrolytic and metalized paper caps on the various boards have been replaced (sourced from Mouser, Digikey and/or Arrow Electronics).  Audio grade caps were used in the signal paths (typically Nichicon or Panasonic).  The problematic 2SC458 transistors have all been replaced as well.  All 20 spark quencher/arrestors (see last photo) have been replaced along with some of the diodes on the main control board.  The capstan motor run capacitor was also replaced (it is 100% compatible for use at 50Hz ). The supply and take up reel motor run capacitors were retained. 2.Three new belts were installed. 3. Lubrication of linkages, capstan motor bearing and other moving parts. 4. All pots on the front panel treated (they were quite scratchy before the treatment) with Deoxit and the shafts lubricated (if suggested). 5. Motor driven automatic level control adjusted and tested. Two trim pots treated with Deoxit. 6. Dust minder adjusted and tested. 7. Forward and reverse playback head height adjusted (record head height needed no adjustment).  Playback and record heads azimuth aligned (calibration tape used). 8. Playback and recording levels reset (checked with calibration tape).  Bias checked and adjusted slightly 9. VU meters recalibrated. 10. Reverse audio playback relay contacts cleaned (because of reduced audio levels). 11. Harmonic distortion tested at 7.5 and 3.75 ips speeds (at 1kHz; it was within service manual specifications). 12. Autoreverse feature tested. 13. Tape path and heads cleaned. 14. Interior: Minor cleaning and dusting 15. Exterior: Minor cleaning followed by application of Tung oil to freshen the appearance. Operational quirks/comments: 1.  The automatic level control board only uses the left audio channel input. 2.  The Dust Minder board only uses one audio channel for input.  The dust minder response (at 7.5 and 3.75 ips tape speeds only) is triggered by a loss of high frequency (i.e. at 9kHz) response. If the recording is too quiet, blank and/or only includes low frequencies then the lamp will light up. 3.  One felt pad for tape cleaner support is mounted.  It needs to be treated with a low viscosity silicon oil. 4.  When the STOP button is very quickly pressed then, on rare occasions, the reel to reel continued to play. 5.  The headphone output control gives only modest volume changes using modern headphones.  The trim pot resistances were checked and they tested fine. At present the reel to reel runs very well with very good high frequency response.  There is a short video showing the basic operation (starting with the R2R in record mode at 7-1/2ips).  Now that the major known problems have been addressed I would expect this reel-to-reel to give excellent service going forward (but one should note that it is a piece of vintage electronics).  When operational and working properly, this model is extremely well regarded. Cosmetically it is in very good shape.  There is a noticeable chip on the back panel and the original varnish on the bottom is not uniformly distributed.  Everything else looks very nice.
Because of its large size and cost, this item will be boxed professionally and be completely insured,  The shipping price reflects this fact.  All prospective buyers must have at least six feedbacks within the last year or your purchase may be cancelled.
Please ask a question if you have one.  Thanks for looking.