Akai AP-L95
(1981 - 1983)

Extra rare early 1980s linear tracker which, looks-wise, leans on the Aiwa LP-3000 style but which, source-wise, probably was built by Mitsubishi.

Akai and Mitsubishi shared the same bank (Mitsubishi Bank) and sort of "exchanged" top executives in 1979.
Mitsubishi was also high on linear trackers then with the higher-end LT-1 and the vertical LT-5V.

Akai and Mitsubishi (Diatone in Japan) also formed an alliance and joint-lineup development throughout the 1980s which was named A & D (Akai & Diatone). So the links were rather... tight !

The AP-L95 allows direct track and disc size selection, basic programming and all-automatic play / repeat / stop modes by way of a second tonearm with an IR detector.
The motor is naturally Quartz locked and direct-driven ; a second motor allows two-speed tonearm search. Once closed, the AP-L95 really doesn't look like a turntable : more like a lab device with an air-sealed window like those in interstellar spaceships !
The tonearm has an 18,4cm effective length and can track up to 3 grams. Dimensions and weight are 44 x 12,4 x 41cm and 11,2kg. The L95 service manual is shared by the similar but non-programmable AP-L45.

The specifications aren't that high-end for 1982 but nevertheless quite respectable : 0,04% wow & flutter and 75dB s/n ratio. Indeed still perfect enough for full-size and lively vinyl sound waves !

A year ago I had access to an in-box NOS L95 but didn't as I already have a Sony PS-X800, a Technics SL-V5 and a Sony TTS-8000 + TB-2000 ! I nevertheless do regret not buying the Akai for it is quite a looker and perhaps a good turntable as well ?

The images on this page come from a french 1982 catalog (top) and an italian 1982 ad, all sadly very badly printed.