Aiwa AD-F810

[Oldaudio1]

I picked up one of these with stuck door needed belts got cheap ones to start.
It sounds OK but not great, is there anything I can do to upgrade sound besides getting a 800 of 780 still looking.

Thanks

Tom

[ckouli]

There are not many mods you can make to the F810 to really improve it. It's a decent 3-head deck, and it was very popular (good feature set, good looks and quite reliable), but easily beaten by older Aiwas. The AD-F800 was the last of the really "good" Aiwas, with better heads and circuitry, but if you really want to get into what an Aiwa can do (especially in recording quality), I feel you need to search for an AD-F770 or F990. Yes, they are much older (and not easy to maintain) but superior decks in every way to their later ones. An F780 (or F880) is very well built and better than even the F800, but still IMO not like the older ones. The only exceptions are the Excelia decks (XK-007/009/S7000/S9000) but they are also more expensive.

[marrscommunications]

7-13-17
The AD-F810 is a Dual Flywheel Transport and Requires very high quality
belts for low wow/flutter. I do have them. Fred M.

[Oldaudio1]

I will add 770 to my search list still in my budget range. Fred I do get my belts for my Tandbergs and Pioneer from you but on new questionable decks I start with generics. Looking for better sounding 3 head mid decks have a number of 2 head ones. My retirement hobby so lots of time and no money.

Tom

[Nakmandan]

I have found that the Aiwa's are the one other brand besides Nakamichi that REQUIRE superior capstan belts in order to perform to their potential. Don't know why as some brands couldn't care less about the capstan belt in regards to performance but the Aiwas and Naks gotta have the good stuff!

As for your lackluster sound quality on your 810, it may have dirty heads, be out of alignment or have skewing problems, preventing the tape living up to its potential.

My suggestion for a better three head deck would be a Nak BX-300, CR-3 or DR-2, probably among the least inexpensive Nak three head decks out there. They are all the newer Sankyo based transports but as long as the idler tire, back tension belt and possibly weak reel and cam motors are addressed, they are fantastic. Serious bang for the buck machines if you can find them at a good price.

[Oldaudio1]

I had 2 BX 300 and an MR1 also a cassette deck 2. I found the Naks were a bit thin for my liking but very detailed. Guess I like the old muddy thick sound.
I will try recleaning he heads and maybe next month get better belts from Fred.

Tom

[390FE]

Along with a good proper whole tape path cleaning, it wouldn't hurt to give the whole tape path a proper demag.

And at least some of the sound quality issues could very well be caused by the belts that are used.

[ckouli]

Well, some decks have a thicker, softer sound while others are more detailed and open. Pros and cons to each. I think the Aiwas in general have an open and real-sounding midrange, with clear detailed highs and good solid bass.
It is so true that all dual-capstan Aiwas are very sensitive to having the exact right inter-capstan belt installed. There are probably multiple reasons for this, one likely being the fact they achieve an excellent wow & flutter specification without the need for direct drive. The F810's transport is a later iteration of their superb (and proprietary) closed-loop tape drive, and although it has been cheapened somewhat compared to older versions, what's most essential is still there. If you need to replace belts, get them from Marrs Communications. No others will do, even if they "work".
I too would recommend Nakamichi as my first choice for a great deck, but as we are in the world of Aiwas I stayed within the Aiwa realm....

[mtsaclander]

Changing out the chips to 4066 from Alex at A.N.T may help? As mentioned in the above posts. Its also personal taste. If you are happy that's all that matters. I have 2 Aiwa AD-S950s for the only reason that they sound so good overall. Strong in every sense but others who have listened to them on here have their own opinions. My plan is to keep my first Aiwa AD-S950 completely stock and original as the day I bought it new in 1995 and modify the second one to improve sound if possible. I think the heads and chips from AD-F800 would be an awesome upgrade but then again just sell the 810 or use if for playback and a 800 for recording maybe.

[ckouli]

It will help a bit but won't get you that far. The sad fact is that after the AD-F800, their decks went downhill, as most other brands did too. The F810, F850, F910 and S950 are all mediocre 3-head decks. It isn't so much a parts quality issue as it is a design issue. From these four decks the F910 is the best one; however it stands no chance against an older Aiwa even if modded.
In the end it comes down to whether it satisfies your need. I've said this many times before. If a modded S950 gives you satisfactory sound qualify for your needs, then fine. All I can recommend is if you ever have the opportunity to test drive a properly functioning, calibrated and maintained older model, like an F770 for example (unmodded), you will have difficulty going back to the S950. And not just sound quality, but in feel too. The older ones oozed of aluminum everywhere, even the buttons.

[ckouli]

The F800 used "DX" type heads for recording and playback - this was the last Aiwa to use these heads made especially for them. I believe they are made of a hard permalloy, but I am not sure. They do last a long time.
The F850 and S950 use cheaper combination heads. While the physical fit would likely be the same, you will probably need to modify the circuitry to accommodate the electrical characteristics of the DX heads.
You should contact ANT for more information.

[Oldaudio1]

Ok update, the sound has improved quite a bit after a few weeks of running deck. Not sure the belts are the correct size may have stretched.
Very good bass and image so will get the better belts.

Tom

[Oldaudio1]

OK got a XK 007 Aiwa much better sounding deck than the 810. Will have it serviced down the road, up there with my Tandberg 440A's in sound quality.

Tom

[390FE]

Originally Posted by Oldaudio1

Ok update, the sound has improved quite a bit after a few weeks of running deck. Not sure the belts are the correct size may have stretched.
Very good bass and image so will get the better belts.

Tom

Good belts are important on Aiwa's & Nak's. Also, belts do have a break in period.

[Oldaudio1]

The belts seem good for now but will get Marrs factory belts for service shortly.
I can't hear any W/F but don't know the service history of deck so will send it out for a proper refurbish.

Tom

[ckouli]

The Aiwa XK-007 was one of their best decks, and built like a tank. It will obliterate the performance of the AD-F810 once calibrated. Nice buy!