Restore your Akai TV and video equipment
- Your Akai TV doesn't turn on—Check the power supply and try a different outlet. Remove any dirt or grime from the prongs on the power cord. If all else fails, there may be a problem with the power supply board.
- Your Akai rear-projection TV has picture, but it's dark—Replace the backlight panel. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may also need to replace individual lamps to restore the backlight.
- Your Akai VCR is eating cassette tapes—This is likely a problem with the idler assembly. Use a pair of pliers to remove the split ring from the idler assembly. Then, clean the idler pulley with denatured alcohol. If problems persist, replace the idler wheel.
Ensure that your Akai turntable is well taken care of
There are many ways to keep your Akai turntable performing at its best. Simple preventative measures, such as keeping your turntable on a vibration-absorbing platform, can make a world of difference in your turntable’s performance. Using a carbon fiber brush to clean the stylus is highly recommended. It is also important to replace any damaged, worn or missing parts.
These are some of the most important parts of your Akai turntable:
- Plinth—The plinth is the base of your turntable. This is the area where vibration absorption occurs. It is vital to the turntable that vibration be absorbed before reaching the tonearm. This is why turntables with built-in speakers can sometimes negatively affect vinyl records by causing scratches, chips or scuffs. If your plinth is beginning to lose its ability to absorb vibration, it may be time to replace it.
- Platter—The platter is the part of the turntable that spins. This is the circular platform where you place your vinyl records. Issues with this component can be catastrophic to not only the turntable but also the vinyl records themselves as quite often the uneven spinning of the platter can cause scuffs or marks on vinyl. If this is happening, the platter of your turntable should be replaced.
- Tonearm—The tonearm is the long arm that guides your stylus over the grooves of a vinyl record. This part must be adjusted for height, weight and balance or else the entire turntable will not function correctly. If something is wrong with your tonearm, consider getting a new one.
- Stylus—Often referred to as the “needle,” the stylus is a small point at the end of the tonearm that is usually made of a gemstone like sapphire or diamond. This part is absolutely vital to the proper operation of your turntable. If your stylus is damaged, worn or missing, it needs to be replaced before you can effectively use your turntable again.
- Counterweight—This is the weight on the back of the tonearm that maintains its balance. It is crucial for proper record playing. If you are missing your counterweight or it is unbalanced from damage, it should be replaced.
