Just bought a Realistic STEREO 8-Track Player Any Thoughts and or Opinions?

[KEW]

Is this one of the better 8-track Players as opposed to Soundesign,Electrophonic?

I would say the fact that it still plays well is testimony to that!

I would generally consider Realistic a higher quality brand than Soundesign and Electrophonic. However, I would not say Realistic's lowest priced offerings were much better than Soundesign or Electrophonic. In the case of your 8 track, I'm betting Realistic made good use of components/drive mechanisms they already had in their production lines from higher quality models to make a better than normal $50 deck!

 

[TapeMaster]

I think I did good it is a testimony to that it still plays well. One time in July 2008 I bid on an auction for an Electrophonic 8-track player for $20.50 advertised as works perfect NOT long after getting it the motor burned up. I bought this Realistic from ebay seller Hann7881 he told me he fixes up old electronics mainly vintage stereo,antique radios. Almost opted for a Pioneer Centrex or some other Pioneer until I saw this. Is it true Centrex were lowend Junk? according to another Stereo Forum I was on they were. I have the Realistic 8-track Deck running through my Onkyo ARV-410 Integrated Amp and SK-01 Speakers.

 

[TapeMaster]

I want to know how to keep the 8-track tapes I have playing properly for years to come.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors New Pads+Splice
The Best Of The J Geils Band New Pads+Splice
Foghat Energized Spring pressure pads no dry rot NEW Splice
Creedence Clearwater Revival Mardi Gras Spring Pressure Pads no dry rot Good Splice
Ted Nugent Weekend Warriors Foam pads still firm not been replaced good splice
Cheap Trick the latest 2009 8-track
James Taylor Dad Loves His Work NOS Foam pressure pads like new drags in my 8-track player runs slower than normal speed.
They are currently stored in my bedroom dresser drawer.

 

[KEW]

Avoid temperature swings and humidity.keep the drive mechanism clean.

 

[TapeMaster]

Okay thanks for the advice.

 

[KEW]

I should be clear that when I say drive mechanism, the heads are probably the main concern. Extra friction as the tape passes through the mechanism will result in tighter winding of the tape, and you know where that leads.

I also forgot to mention it, but be sure not to leave tapes in the player when you are not playing them, and of course keep out of sunlight (which goes back to avoiding temperature swings). Cool (but not cold) is better than warm.
It was always best to store cassettes on end (upright) so the tape would not slip down from the reels. I would guess the same is true of 8 tracks.

Here are some general care guidelines for magnetic tape:
http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub54/care_and_handling.html

And here is a pretty cool chart of life expectancy for magnetic tape relative to temperature and humidity. I looks like if you keep the humidity below about 35% the tape will last along time (aside from mechanical cartridge issues):
http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub54/estimation_of_LEs.html

 

[TapeMaster]

Hey anybody know anything about a Peerless brand Component Stereo 8-track Player deck? just kinda wondering Good Stuff? Not going to consider the purchase of another component 8-track player deck unless it can record just am wondering about the brand in general. I already figured that my 1975 Realistic is better.



http://cgi.ebay.com/PEERLESS-8-TRACK-PLAYER-DECK-BLUE-INDICATOR-LIGHTS-/130480865709?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item1e614401ad

 

[walter duque]

TapeMaster

You seem to like this 8 track thing a lot.

 

[TapeMaster]

Yeah I'm lovin it!

 

[flippo]

Why 8 track?

Why 8 track and not cd?

 

[TapeMaster]

I love them both!! I have a Teac PD-80 Single disc CD Player and an Onkyo DXC-111 6 CD Changer.

 

[TapeMaster]

I thought it would really cool playing the 1974 Foghat Energized album in the 8 track player,also been listening to Gary Wright The Dream Weaver.

 

[TapeMaster]

Dave Peverett is my idol!

 

[TapeMaster]

I heard about your Pioneer Quadraphonic 8-track Tape Deck it looks real real nice!

 

[TapeMaster]

Sawzalot I sent you a PM.

 

[TapeMaster]

Who still owns and actually uses an 8-track Player?

 

[KEW]

Who still owns and actually uses an 8-track Player?

That would be you!

 

[TapeMaster]

Yeah I know but anyone besides me?

 

[farout]

farout here

that would really be a great time playing 8-tracks again...

we used to have some really good times when we had one of those darn things.... I had some great old tapes that would get played over and over again....

8-track how do you spell. if it sounds good to you all the power. everybody have diff. sound rooms and hearing. hope you have some nost. tapes still in good shape. i have. most people do. how about reel to reel. i have two teacs both need repair. great sound. like to have fixed. dont know where to take them.last time i tried cd players were coming out and they were laughing at me then. so!

 

[TapeMaster]

Yes most of my tapes are still in good shape, I do have a reel to reel still works good sound Tandberg 9200XD.