Teac 8-80 reel to reel

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oldtownrobot

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anyone know where i can find one in like new condition? any suggestions on other good 8-track reel to reel s that i might want to look into? any suggestions for someone that is making a switch from digital to analog reel to reel? thanks!
 
Though the 80-8 is a handsome unit, complete with genuine wood side panels, finding one in "new condition" is a bit optimistic, I fear. Why, you ask? Because that machine was from the late 70's and finding a 25 year old machine in perfect shape will be like finding a virgin in a whore house! :D

TASCAM also made successors to the 80-8 like the 38, 48, 58 and TSR-8 as well as a the heavier duty, ATR-60-8.

The TSR-8 was the last and newest offering, released around 1990 and finding one of those in decent shape should be much easier.

I own and use a TASCAM 38 which was released in the early 80's and built up to the late 80's and I managed to find a low mileage one in good shape a few years back and it too is a great sounding deck and it came with the optional dbx noise reduction units too in the bargain at the time.

Cheers! :)
 
is analog sound worth it?

i ve seen them "like new" before... they were already sold though. anyone know how much work it is to maintain these bitches (80 - 8's) ? IS IT WORTH IT???
 
If your ears work, Analog is worth it, yes!

There's very little involved in maintaining these machines. They're not like cars where you have to perform scheduled maintenance and tune ups! ;)

For the most part, cleaning the heads and tape path; meaning guide posts, lifters, capstan and pinch roller is about it.

Also demaging the heads every 30 - 50 hours of play/record time is also good to do to keep things running normally.

The only items that will truly wear with use is the heads and the capstan drive belt. The belt is an inexpensive repair that might need to be done once every 15 to 20 years and the heads can be re-lapped up to two times before you must replace them.

If you can find a machine that was single owner and he didn't have it running in a pro studio environment around the clock, you should be able to get several more years of use out a "personal use" machine.

Cheers! :)
 
I would rather look for a Tascam 38 instead.
The 80-8 came out 1976 (cost $ 3500 new) and my experience a "well used "machine can be more trouble then fun.
Seems there is more problems with channel loss, worn out heads, transport compare to the newer 38.

Just my 2 cents :cool:
 
I've got an 80-8 that I've owned for 15 years now with the DBX encoder/decoder as well. It is a wonderful machine with, in my opinion, a much richer mid and low mid response than some of it's contemporaries. It has been, for the most part, a joy to use. But, I have spent a fair amount of time with the channel cards. Fortunately, they are very easy to access. The heads have worn extremely well for me...I've not had them lapped or anything yet. Other than having it completely serviced every 2 years or so, I've had very good luck with it. Of course I am very fortunate in that I have a very good repair tech for this machine as well, so problems have been few and quickly repaired. I treat it better than anything I own. :cool:
It's getting tough to find these in good condition these days tho. And nope, I aint sellin mine.
I would heed Ghost's advice and look for the much more serviceable 38 or TSR-8.
I feel parts for the 80-8 are getting tougher to come by.
Good luck! I do hope you find one if that's what you're determined to get.
 
rack-mount Teac 80-8?

I own a Teac 80-8, and recently, because of a growing collection of gear, space considerations, blah blah blah, I decided that I should mount it in a (angled) rack stand. The knowlegable and competent gentleman who sold the unit, sans wood-veneer sides, and with a pair of ears, tells me that he had the unit rack-mounted for years. On one hand, I tend to believe him - two (of several) holes in the ears line up quite nicely with two relatively small holes on either side of the 80-8. On the other hand, the 80-8 weighs 72 lbs, and two relatively small screws on either side doesn't appear (at least to me) necessarily enough to hold it. Am I missing something? Thanks.
 
teac 8-80

I have a like new Teac 8-80 that I would like to sell, are you still interested?
Chr8is33
 
I've got an 80-8 and I would like to know where can one get the channel cards set up properly? I've fooled with them so often that I'm not not getting the most from my erase and record heads. Can they be sent to your repair tech?
 
\i'm looking to have my 80-8 serviced who could you recommend?
 
If you let people know where you are located I'm sure someone will chime in with suggestions.:D
 
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