• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Realistic RD-8100, And Can You ID This Cart?

Dave Simpson

Dave Simpson

New Member
Hey gang,

I bought a turntable this past weekend at a yard sale. Make and model: Realistic RD-8100. My price was just five puny Canadian dollars (that's about $3.50USD), thanks to the deal-brokering skills of my pal Matt Lafeyette. TT is direct-drive, auto-return. Other than a little clean-up, the unit was plug'n'play, and it's a helluva lot more stable than the Pioneer PL-255 I was previously using. Anybody got any info on this Realistic model, i.e.) what's the value, who's the manufacturer, etc. Personal opinions and experiences are welcome, too!
Also, the 8100 came with a cartridge that I can't identify. Cart is black with a stylized "B" logo above the model number, BX-im6. The stylus has one of those plastic, hinged needle protector thingies also. I'm not using this cart with the 8100, as it sounded much scratchier than the Audio-Technica cartridge from my Pioneer. Can anyone ID this cartridge brand?
Thanks for reading, and cheers!

DS.
 
Register to hide this ad
Call me nutty, you guys, but I'm thinkin' this platter-spinner was made by Marantz. Whaddaya say, Shain?
Cheers!

DS.
 
Dave I recall seeing a RD-8100 on ebay and I also thought it was a complete knockoff of a Marantz 6100,6200 or 6300 TT. I don't think Marantz ever made any gear for Radio Shack but your table sure is a nice replica of one. Slap a nicer arm and cart on it and I bet it would sound very nice.


Mike
 
Pro,

That's pretty much what I was thinkin'; sure looks like a Marantz knock-off to me. As for adding a better arm and cartridge, it already sounds just fine, and for five Canadian dollars, I'm over the moon with this TT...
Cheers!

DS.
 
Many of the better Realistic direct-drives were made by Hitachi and are decent machines.
 
You're welcome....

Thanks for the props Dave.
And to think Dave, little bird that he is, was considering leaving the nest to fly on his own wings that morning! Had the yard sale terminator not been along on that sortie Dave would have either
A) missed it all together. OR
B) paid through the nose.
All kidding aside though, Dave nabbed himself a very sweet TT low rent manufacturer or not. What it may lack in cache it seems to me it redeems itself in build quality.
Glad I could help pal! :D
Matt
 
Hey all;
For my money, it is almost a spittin' image of the Maranz models listed above. Label on rear staes "Custom manufactured for Tandy Corp." etc. I am unaware of any knock-off Marantz, but who reallly knows when it comes to the 'Shack? JMHO.
 
Dave Simpson said:
Hey gang,

I bought a turntable this past weekend at a yard sale. Make and model: Realistic RD-8100. My price was just five puny Canadian dollars (that's about $3.50USD), thanks to the deal-brokering skills of my pal Matt Lafeyette. TT is direct-drive, auto-return. Other than a little clean-up, the unit was plug'n'play, and it's a helluva lot more stable than the Pioneer PL-255 I was previously using. Anybody got any info on this Realistic model, i.e.) what's the value, who's the manufacturer, etc. Personal opinions and experiences are welcome, too!
Also, the 8100 came with a cartridge that I can't identify. Cart is black with a stylized "B" logo above the model number, BX-im6. The stylus has one of those plastic, hinged needle protector thingies also. I'm not using this cart with the 8100, as it sounded much scratchier than the Audio-Technica cartridge from my Pioneer. Can anyone ID this cartridge brand?
Thanks for reading, and cheers!

DS.
Click to expand...

For the next person searching - the BX im6 cartridge is from Bellex Audio, Japan.
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=86277

Credit to Larry B.
 
Heh heh how did this one get resurrected? (started in 2003)

So my input: the RD-8100 came out of CEC (Chuo Denki Electronics) Japan, the same as all the mentioned Marantz as well as many other tables. Decent quality stuff. CEC made tables for many other labels that didn't tool up to make their own.
 
Credit only partially to me; I think I found it by some diligent surfing/searching. Still don't know a whole lot about Bellex (sometimes referred to as Log Bellex).

From what I've seen, although they originated in Japan it seems they were sold mostly in Australia/NZ. Perhaps an ozzie or kiwi knows them? In any event, seemingly long gone.

Happy trails,
Larry B.
 
MacNoob said:
Heh heh how did this one get resurrected? (started in 2003)

So my input: the RD-8100 came out of CEC (Chuo Denki Electronics) Japan, the same as all the mentioned Marantz as well as many other tables. Decent quality stuff. CEC made tables for many other labels that didn't tool up to make their own.
Click to expand...

Yes, most of the best Realistic belt and direct drives were built by CEC (Chuo Denki) in Japan. As yours was. ELAC/Miracord also built the remainder of Realistic's best offerings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom