Vintage 8 track reciever to aux

[rickl]

how about a kit? Heathkit GD-28. I put this together in the early (?) 70s.

I put a new belt in it 5 years ago. Probably could use a re-cap.

 

[62vauxhall]

You seem, to have cornered the market! What are you using for playback?

My first 8 track unit was a Realistic TR-803 that I bought in 2012. Then multiple Akai's, a Marantz TDR-820, two made by Toyo, and a 2nd TR-803.

Currently my "daily driver" is a Quadraflex 288. An oddball where I live (near Vancouver, BC) because Quadraflex was never sold in Canada.

I have too many decks. After I became fixated, I could not pass one by if it I felt it was desirable and cheap. My 8 track hardware count is 12 or 13 and all but one are recorders.

The format facinates me enough so that I must push myself to listen to records. Another obsession that involves multiple turntables as well as LP's, 45's & 78's. My open reel stuff is all but ignored as are my CD's. Again, too much hardware and software.

Did I mention in a previous post that I had no life?

 

[quaddriver]

This isn't so much an 8-track player per se, as much as it is an all-in-one receiver that happens to have an 8-track built in. The "line out" is a little odd since there's no associated "line in" to bring a tape deck back in. I guess you could use it as a stand alone 8-track into another amp or receiver, but that would be odd too.

phono. of that vintage the phono input was ceramic hence you could also plug a tape deck into there, in fact some of them said 'phono/tape' at that button pos

 

[Artie]

What is the appeal? Is there content that can only be found on 8-track?

Sorta, kinda. But not enough to make you want to take up the medium. There were many "promotional" mix tapes that came out on 8-track that are just fun to own. My "Buick" tape, for example, that I posted about in some other thread. Also, for some reason, content like Merle Haggard and old Hank Williams, just seem to sound more authentic when on 8-track.

My first 8-track was an Akai CR-81D that I bought brand new while stationed overseas. Unfortunately, it got "lost" on the trip to the states. I've since replaced it with a flea-market CR-80D. Not quite as nice, but close enough. I'd still like to find the 81D. (Both internet pics.)

 

[70's Rockfan]

Mufflers are now made from stainless steel and *KER-CHUNK!* recorded music in the car is made from files on *KER-CHUNK!* a USB stick or a CD. 8-track is a cursed format; resurrecting *KER-CHUNK!* it is a path to suffering for dedicated masochists. I guess it *KER-CHUNK!* gives them something to listen to whilst putting on the *KER-CHUNK!* hair-shirt and restraints.

I have some very fond memories of hearing *KER-CHUNK!* from the back seat at the drive in movies.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Yup, first eight track was a Craig/Pioneer unit mounted on the console of my '64 Ford...

Precious few home players back in late sixties, then GI's started coming home from Southeast Asia with Akai RTR units with eight track recorders in the side...not sure, but we probably started selling blank carts at Radio Schack before we had a recorder to sell...the servicemen bought them by the boxful...It was a popular medium!

 

[quaddriver]

Mufflers are now made from stainless steel and *KER-CHUNK!* recorded music in the car is made from files on *KER-CHUNK!* a USB stick or a CD. 8-track is a cursed format; resurrecting *KER-CHUNK!* it is a path to suffering for dedicated masochists. I guess it *KER-CHUNK!* gives them something to listen to whilst putting on the *KER-CHUNK!* hair-shirt and restraints.

as fate has it, on my 'bench' at the moment is an 'ICP model 715' (try and look THAT f**er up!) and a cap to supply power for the KER-CHUNK solenoid was shorted such that stick in a tape, motor comes on, solenoid engages and the motor cycles T1-4 over and over and over. No wonder they stuck it in a box. I got it for free and am 95% done...as a stereo it does not suck, better than quite a bit of more common names sound wise.

 

[70's Rockfan]

Well I just had to get it out and try it. Sanyo audio spec 2
It still works great and sounds pretty decent.