Here's one you don't see often!

[A Reel Person]

Or ever, for that matter. This is the first one I've seen: Peavey, no less!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320095204296
Peavey MCR 4/S Cassette 4-track Recorder

[cjacek]

Just 50 bucks BIN, in California. Grab it Dave!

[themaddog]

I have a VERY similar looking 4 track multitrack cassette recorder I bought from Daddy's Junky Music once for a mere $50. Every control looks the same, it's just brown instead of white. I can't recall who made it though, but it definitely wasn't Peavey. It had Dolby B and C noise reduction, if I remember correctly.

Maybe they were both made by the same company, like the Atari 2600 and "Sears" and "Tandy" Ataris (and Intellivisions) of the day.

-MD

[Beck]

Basically the same as the top half of the old Peavey/AMR 4-track system (1985). I never saw one in person, but I remember seeing magazine ads for it back then. I like the layout. I don't know how it stacked up against something like the TASCAM 246 performance wise.

[cjacek]

A few years ago I saw a local guy selling the 4 track AMR system. I didn't know too much about it then, probably would have picked it up, but he wanted a large sum of money for it, if I recall clearly. I think he wanted 750 or 1000 or somethin' like that.. but it was a large amount. Talked to him once and he was completely clueless as to prices of similar gear etc .... He must have advertised it for a year or more ... Never sold it, I don't think .... Anyway, sorry, just a short story for your enjoyment.

[Beck]

Yeah, having bought most of my now vintage gear back in the day brand new I can relate to that depreciation shock. You just remember what you paid for it and the years sneak up on you. Plus if you have stuff in like-new condition like most of my gear you just don’t have the heart to let it go at eBay prices. I remember a few years ago contemplating selling my 246 Portastudio, until I saw the low ending prices on eBay. It was then I decided to pass it down to my children as an heirloom.

[cjacek]

Agreed.

[A Reel Person]

I've seen nice 246's close on Ebay for as little as $96, which is both obscene and a deal. It's an obscene deal! Yeah, but the price fluxuations you see on Ebay have a lot to do with the buying cycles of Ebay, days, time of day, etc., that determine the overall closing price at that moment. No doubt, things that close on Friday at 6pm will close higher than the same or similar item that closes Sunday at 2:30am. That's what my roving eye has determined about Ebay prices. I've gotten many sleeper deals on absolutely awesome equipment, and knowing how to be a good Ebay shopper helps you really leverage the value for your audio consumer dollar. Closing price is also determined on whether the item is in a glut or shortage at the moment, as well as the condition of the item. Vintage or not. E'thing has a life cycle as a product. There is some great used equipment floating out there, and I'm happy to say I've gotten plenty of cherry items that are like new and work great. It's out there if you want it. Oh, and if you have the dough, you got it. The deals abound, I assure you.

What was the question?

So, the Peavey setup (above) looks like pairing an M106 with a 134, only in a slightly different style. Y'know, I think it looks like a hack-job Tascam system clone, but it probably was a decent system in it's day, for a clone. Give me a 234 & genuine M106, & I think I'd have a way better system. Furthermore, a 234 & an M30 would blow that Peavey out of the water.

The Tascam 134 I can't speak to directly from experience, but it looks like a fine unit. You have to buy into the Dolby B/C side of the Tascam product line, if you opt for the 134, though, (which includes the 144, Porta03 & 238S).

I've always been a dbx guy.

PS: Beck, you're the man for posting that picture!

[dementedchord]

AMR never stood a chance... one of their design engineers used to post on GS's and would bitch about how they wouldnt let him put out stuff like he wanted... there are a couple of the larger consoles that were actually pretty good...