AKAI CR-80D -SS 8 Track recorder

[thomo57]

A few questions
A mate dropped this off last night for me to have a look at
Can it be hooked up to a stereo system.
And how can it be with the connections on the rear.
Are they just for recording or also for playback.
Are they useful
I've got a few 8 tracks somewhere and would be good to find if it's functioning

 

[thomo57]

 

[revox-b77]

Interesting,
Never knew they made a Quad 8 track. You hook it up with thr RCA inputs and outputs on the rear or you can use the Din in/out if you happen to have equipment that accepts them. For stereo only, record L and R front channels, playback use R and L front outs.

 

[1tumbleweed]

What you have there is one of only two quad recording 8 track decks (Panasonic/Technics was the other one). The bottom set of RCAs are your audio out to an amp (or the DIN, as said).

The CR80D-SS was one of the best 8 track units ever made, with a super-strong AC motor (frequently nicknamed the "stump puller"). They still sell for decent money.

Cheers,
Larry B.

 

[thomo57]

Interesting,
Never knew they made a Quad 8 track. You hook it up with thr RCA inputs and outputs on the rear or you can use the Din in/out if you happen to have equipment that accepts them. For stereo only, record L and R front channels, playback use R and L front outs.

Thanks b77 and 1 tumbleweed
Would l use one rca from each side left and right.

 

[revox-b77]

The ins and outs are labeled on the back of your unit. Receiver tape out goes to Akai front line in, r (red) and l ( white ).
Receiver tape in goes to Akai front out, r (red) and l (white) For stereo operation. If you have quad you will need 2 of each cable.

 

[dhnash]

The manuals for the unit are available here:

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/cr-80d-ss.shtml

I think you have the option of selecting 4-channel (quadraphonic) or 2-channel (stereo) operation using the switch on the front panel. If you are using the unit in 2-channel mode, the connections would be made as described above connecting to the line input and line output RCA jacks on the back panel of the unit that are labeled "Front".

 

[62vauxhall]

I got a acquainted with a fellow in his 70's who in the '70's spent $5,000 on a quadraphonic system he still has. Other than the Dual 1229Q, the components were all Akai and speakers are four very large Sansui's. The quad reel to reel was still working properly but the receiver and 8 track deck (the same as yours) needed attention which I took care of. He'd not used it for several years so had some fun listening to all his quad recordings again. I did not pay much attention to quadraphonic gear when it was current but having heard his, albeit briefly, must confess it is a different experience than stereo.

The 8 track deck will detect a quadraphonic cartridge and switch itself accordingly. If you are hooking up to a 2 channel stereo amp, just the front line outputs are used. If you happen to get hold of a quadraphonic tape and play it, you will only hear two of the four channels so some instruments and/or vocals will be missing from the mix.

 

[danj]

A buddy of mine owned on of those and used it to make many recordings. The results were quite good and proof that 8-track was a decent source when good equipment was used.