A blank 8-track tapeThe inside of an 8-track cartridge

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8-Track Players

The 8-track cartridge is a now-obsolete audio storage magnetic tape cartridge technology, popular from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. The 8-track was created by Bill Lear in 1964 at Lear Inc. more...

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(the company of Lear Jet fame), after he heard Earl "Madman" Muntz's 1962 Stereo-Pak 4-track stereo tape system, which had been inspired in turn by the 1959 Fidelipac 3-track tape cartridge system used by radio broadcasters for commercials and jingles.

The original format for magnetic tape sound reproduction was reel-to-reel audio tape recording, first made available in the 1940s. However, the machines were bulky and the reels themselves were more difficult to handle than vinyl records. Born from the desire to have an easier to use tape format, the enclosed reel mechanism was introduced in the mid 1950s.

Development

The endless loop tape cartridge was designed in 1952 by Bernard Cousino of Toledo, Ohio, around a single reel carrying a continuous loop of standard 1/4 inch plastic oxide-coated recording tape. Program starts and stops were signalled either by a conductive foil splice or sub-audible tones. The 8-track version simplified the mechanism by rolling the motorized metal capstan in the player against a pinch wheel installed inside the cartridge to pull the tape across the player's read head (in the earlier 4-track Stereo-Pak, the pinch wheel was part of the player and flipped into the cartridge through a hole). The tape was pulled from the center of the reel, passed across the opening at the end of the cartridge and wound back onto the outside of the same reel. The spool itself was freewheeling and the tape was driven only by tension from the capstan.

The tape was coated with a slippery backing material patented by Cousino, usually graphite, to ease the continuous slip between the tape layers. This coating sometimes also caused the pinch wheel to slip, leading to poor speed control and tape flutter. Due to these problems, 8-track cartridges were never popular with audiophiles. While the design allowed simple and cheap players, unlike a two-reel system it didn't permit winding of the tape in either direction. Some players offered a limited fast-forward by speeding up the motor while cutting off the audio but rewinding was impossible.

Muntz's 4-track Stereo-Pak cartridge had four monaural or two pairs of stereo tracks. A foil splice passed across a pair of contacts close to the read head, signalling the player to switch to the next program track, achieved by physically moving the head up and down mechanically in most cases.

A professional version used in broadcasting, called a cart, achieved much wider bandwidth with single full-track mono or a half-track stereo pair, along with sub-audible tones for fast cues and a fixed, non-moving playback head. While this provided higher fidelity and was extremely convenient and reliable for busy disc jockeys and studio engineers, program length was usually limited to that of a single song and the cartridges required some maintenance, making the format too expensive and limited for consumer use.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Pioneer Model H-R100 Dolby Stereo 8 Track Player -Mint, Working GreatPioneer Model H-R100 Dolby Stereo 8 Track Player -Mint, Working Great $385.00 Panasonic Rs-845Us 4-Channel 8 Track Player 6 Quadraphonic Tested New PadsSplicePanasonic Rs-845Us 4-Channel 8 Track Player 6 Quadraphonic Tested New PadsSplice $26.89
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Weltron 2010 Space Ball Vintage 1970s 8 Track - Tested, Working. Needs antennaWeltron 2010 Space Ball Vintage 1970s 8 Track - Tested, Working. Needs antenna $197.50 Realistic Stereo PortiPlay 8-Track Player Boombox Model 14-918 Blue Works* ReadRealistic Stereo PortiPlay 8-Track Player Boombox Model 14-918 Blue Works* Read $59.99
Soundesign Tx 0868 8 Track & Cassette Player Vintage WorkingSoundesign Tx 0868 8 Track & Cassette Player Vintage Working $300.00 Vtg 1970’s Realistic Concertmate 8 Stereo Radio 8 Track Tape Player 14-920A ReadVtg 1970’s Realistic Concertmate 8 Stereo Radio 8 Track Tape Player 14-920A Read $49.00
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Lot of 2 Vintage 8-Track Tape Deck Players Electrophonic T107 & Midland UntestedLot of 2 Vintage 8-Track Tape Deck Players Electrophonic T107 & Midland Untested $59.99 Pioneer Centrex Th-30 8-Track Stereo Wooden Tape Player Tested WorkingPioneer Centrex Th-30 8-Track Stereo Wooden Tape Player Tested Working $89.00
Vintage Panasonic Rq-830s Tnt Yellow 8 Track Player UntestedVintage Panasonic Rq-830s Tnt Yellow 8 Track Player Untested $120.00 Realistic Tr-802 8 Track Player/Recorder - PlaysRealistic Tr-802 8 Track Player/Recorder - Plays $74.99
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Vintage Panasonic Rs-801Aus 8-Track Stereo Player Deck - Made in Japan - ReadVintage Panasonic Rs-801Aus 8-Track Stereo Player Deck - Made in Japan - Read $79.99 Stereo 48 4 and 8 Track Tape Player slightly used and working see the videoStereo 48 4 and 8 Track Tape Player slightly used and working see the video $100.00
Superscope Tdr-820 8-Track Player - Vintage Classic Audio 70s by Marantz - ReadSuperscope Tdr-820 8-Track Player - Vintage Classic Audio 70s by Marantz - Read $140.00 Tested Panasonic Swiss Cheese Stereo 8-Track Radio Vintage Plus 8 TrackTested Panasonic Swiss Cheese Stereo 8-Track Radio Vintage Plus 8 Track $110.00
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Vintage Panasonic Quadraphonic 8 Track Player / Recorder Model Rs-855 UsVintage Panasonic Quadraphonic 8 Track Player / Recorder Model Rs-855 Us $139.95 New ListingVintage Panasonic Rq-823 8 Track Player with Paperwork Nr MintNew ListingVintage Panasonic Rq-823 8 Track Player with Paperwork Nr Mint $150.00
Vintage Lear Jet Model A259B Car 8-Track Tape Player with BoxVintage Lear Jet Model A259B Car 8-Track Tape Player with Box $125.00 Columbia Stereo 8 Solid State Vintage 8 Track Tape Player- Works, No Left OutputColumbia Stereo 8 Solid State Vintage 8 Track Tape Player- Works, No Left Output $65.00
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New ListingToyo 8 Track Player - Model Chr 322 - One Owner / Excellent Cosmetic ConditionNew ListingToyo 8 Track Player - Model Chr 322 - One Owner / Excellent Cosmetic Condition $59.99 Tested Rare Borg Warner Cartable 8 Track Player. Try Finding One. :) Very Cool.Tested Rare Borg Warner Cartable 8 Track Player. Try Finding One. :) Very Cool. $199.00
8 Track Player Fm Craig Floor Mount Serviced Video8 Track Player Fm Craig Floor Mount Serviced Video $250.00 Vintage Pioneer Craig 8 Track Player 3123Vintage Pioneer Craig 8 Track Player 3123 $49.99
General Electric Ge Am/Fm Stereo Receiver 8 Track Tape Player M8630AGeneral Electric Ge Am/Fm Stereo Receiver 8 Track Tape Player M8630A $80.00 Vtg General Electric Portable 8-Track Tape Player & Tape 3-5505F Works ReadVtg General Electric Portable 8-Track Tape Player & Tape 3-5505F Works Read $72.25
New ListingPanasonic Stereo 8-Track Player Deck Rs-801Us Made in JapanNew ListingPanasonic Stereo 8-Track Player Deck Rs-801Us Made in Japan $119.00 8 Track Player And 8 Track Radio With 23 8 Tracks ( Read Description)8 Track Player And 8 Track Radio With 23 8 Tracks ( Read Description) $75.00
Panasonic Rq-830S 8 Track Player 12 tapes All Tested Reburb. w/ new pads/splicesPanasonic Rq-830S 8 Track Player 12 tapes All Tested Reburb. w/ new pads/splices $61.00 Wollensak 3M 8075 Dolby 8 Track Tape Player RecorderWollensak 3M 8075 Dolby 8 Track Tape Player Recorder $99.00
Rare Vtg Sears Record/Cassette/8 Track/Am/Fm Player Model 132.91861900 Fast ShipRare Vtg Sears Record/Cassette/8 Track/Am/Fm Player Model 132.91861900 Fast Ship $300.11 Panasonic Stereo 8-Track Player Deck Rs-804Us Made in Japan Perfect ConditionPanasonic Stereo 8-Track Player Deck Rs-804Us Made in Japan Perfect Condition $119.99
Vintage Panasonic 8-Track Stereo Record Deck Rs-805Us,Japan,Tested,Pow ers OnVintage Panasonic 8-Track Stereo Record Deck Rs-805Us,Japan,Tested,Pow ers On $49.99 Akai Cr 80D Ss Surround Stereo 8 Track Cartridge Tape Deck Player/RecorderAkai Cr 80D Ss Surround Stereo 8 Track Cartridge Tape Deck Player/Recorder $230.00
Panasonic - Portable 8 Track Player - BluePanasonic - Portable 8 Track Player - Blue $66.09 Serviced Realistic Three Tape 8 Track Changer Jukebox Multi Tr-888 (See Video)Serviced Realistic Three Tape 8 Track Changer Jukebox Multi Tr-888 (See Video) $339.00
Pioneer H-R99 8 Track Player Very Clean Excellent Works & Sounds GreatPioneer H-R99 8 Track Player Very Clean Excellent Works & Sounds Great $269.97 Vintage Realistic 8 Track Tape Recorder Player Tr-884 Model Xhr-831 W/ 31 TapesVintage Realistic 8 Track Tape Recorder Player Tr-884 Model Xhr-831 W/ 31 Tapes $59.99
Realistic Stereo 8 Track Player Model 14-935 Tr-169 Works With 7 TapesRealistic Stereo 8 Track Player Model 14-935 Tr-169 Works With 7 Tapes $10.00 Vintage Audiovox 8 Track Tape Player Model C-905 Brand New In BoxVintage Audiovox 8 Track Tape Player Model C-905 Brand New In Box $199.00
Akai Cr-83D 8-Track Stereo Tape Deck Player / Recorder, Works Well, New BeltsAkai Cr-83D 8-Track Stereo Tape Deck Player / Recorder, Works Well, New Belts $235.00 Vintage Brother Aquatron Vx-33c Portable 8 Track Player Am Fm The Egg For RepairVintage Brother Aquatron Vx-33c Portable 8 Track Player Am Fm The Egg For Repair $100.00
Technics Rs-858Us 4 Channel 8 Track playerTechnics Rs-858Us 4 Channel 8 Track player $670.00 Jc Penney Mcs 683-3311 Stereo 8-Track Tape Player Recorder Deck Vintage WorksJc Penney Mcs 683-3311 Stereo 8-Track Tape Player Recorder Deck Vintage Works $48.88
Rq-830S Panasonic 8 Track Player Tnt Yellow Works Great! New belt, serviced!Rq-830S Panasonic 8 Track Player Tnt Yellow Works Great! New belt, serviced! $181.00 Boman Astrosonix bm-909 car 8-track player Nice working Condition See the videoBoman Astrosonix bm-909 car 8-track player Nice working Condition See the video $73.00
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Rare Vtg 1970's Jc Penney 681-3863 Portable 8 Track Player Power Tested Pls ReadRare Vtg 1970's Jc Penney 681-3863 Portable 8 Track Player Power Tested Pls Read $49.95 8 Track Player Panasonic Rs-808 Tested Working8 Track Player Panasonic Rs-808 Tested Working $169.00
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Vtg 70s Panasonic Rs-804Us 8 Track Player - Tested & Working. Clean ExteriorVtg 70s Panasonic Rs-804Us 8 Track Player - Tested & Working. Clean Exterior $116.00 Pioneer Tp-727 8 Track Car Stereo New Never Installed with BoxPioneer Tp-727 8 Track Car Stereo New Never Installed with Box $599.00
8 Track Player Panasonic Rs-808 Restored Tested Works And Sounds Great8 Track Player Panasonic Rs-808 Restored Tested Works And Sounds Great $329.95
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Prices current as of last update, 05/08/25 9:50pm.

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