NEW LISTING 10/7/16
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
VINTAGE REALISTIC REEL TO REEL
REALISTIC 494
 #...19349A2
 4-TRACK STEREO / 4-CHANNEL 
 QUADRAPHONIC / SURROUND SOUND /
 2-CHANNEL STEREO
 3-HEAD / 3-SPEED
        REEL TO REEL R2R
 1/4" TAPE DECK
 Circa 1973-75
for sale
SOLD 10/17/16
SHIPPED TO ARKANSAS
 We have completely gone through this unit. Both Main Drive belt and Counter belt have been replaced with fresh units. All internal drive wheels / tires have been reconditioned as well as the rubber pinch roller for years of trouble-free service. Entire internal transport cleaned of old grease & re-lubed, capstan burnished, heads have been cleaned and de-magnetized as well as the entire transport. Pinch Roller swing arm assembly disassembled and re-lubed as well as the brake arms and tape tension arms. Brakes adjusted on fast wind modes also so it doesn't "dump tape" when stopped. Capstan motor re-lubed. All internal pots and controls cleaned and tested for noise-free function. Internal PB amp and Record level PC mounted pots adjusted with factor STL test / alignment tape and O-Scope. Both spindles in perfect alignment and run true. We also adjusted the reel table heights. Heads in great shape as well, with many years of performance left in them and head alignment / azimuth has been checked and adjusted for peak performance. Records at ~-6dB. Plays great on both channels. Both level meters playback even. Following refurbishment / restoration Speed checked to 99.0% accuracy! (Total time investment in refurb / testing ~ 13 hours. Pinch roller and heads all in GREAT condition!!!  Deck looks good with some minor, normal edge chips to wood grain case!
 

 
 Beautiful Condition, Realistic 494, Three-head, Quad / Stereo, Open Reel Tape Deck. This is one of the few reel to reel decks we get in that make it to our finished page. Great performer. If you're looking for a reel to reel deck to "actually use", here you go. Only about 25 % of the used Reel decks out there can be "practically" restored to working order. This one made it through to test great! Looks and sounds great! We have completely gone through it. Will play 3", 5" & 7" reels.

From the original Radio Shack catalog, "Make "live" recordings with a realism and dimension never before possible". (would be interesting to record a live show / band, then playback on a 'Quad' system).

Realistic 494 Features include:

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Realistic 494 Specifications:

Track system: 4-track, 4-channel/2-channel stereo tape deck with Surround Sound
Motor: Synchronous Motor
Transport Control Type: Mechanical: Fast Forward, Rewind, Play
Heads: two 4-track 4-channel stereo heads for recording and playback, two erase heads (2-track & full track)
Maximum Reel capacity: 7’’ reel
 Tape speed: 19cm/s (7-1/2 ips
 9.5 cm/s (3-3/4 ips) & 1 7/8ips
 Wow & Flutter: XX% at 7-1/2ips
Frequency response (playback): XXHz to XX,000Hz (± 3dB at 7-1/2 ips)

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Frequency response (playback): XXHz to XX,000 Hz (± 3dB at 3-3/4 ips)
 Distortion (@ 1,000 Hz “0” VU): < 0.7% (7-1/2 ips)
Channel Cross-talk: XXdB
Track Cross-talk: XXdB

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Signal to Noise Ratio: >XXdB
Erase Ratio: > XXdb
 Recording Bias Frequency: XXXKHZ
 
This is a rare one in that it also does 'Quadraphonic / 4-Channel'. Face is made of beautiful, brushed Aluminum and is in great shape. With the exception of some normal, minor edge chips to the vinyl edge trim, the wood grain vinyl wrapped case is in good condition. Again, we have gone through it inside and out. The entire deck look, performs and sounds great! You won't be disappointed in this one.
All of our restored / refurbished reel to reel decks come with a 7", plastic take-up reel, a 'known good' 7" tape for initial testing of playback, and a 7" tape you can record onto, all to assist you in becoming familiar with the operation / function of your new reel to reel tape deck.
Measures 16" wide x 14.5" tall x 6.5" (from tip of back feet to tip of hubs) deep and weighs 43 lbs unpacked. Includes our standard 30 day limited warranty. (Reels & tape shown in photos not included. All are usually available separately if you need them)
REALISTIC 494 STEREO / QUAD REEL TO REEL TAPE DECK
 Cond. 8.5
SOLD 10/17/16
SHIPPED TO ARKANSAS

  (Above text property of www.oaktreevintage.com / Oak Tree Enterprises, LLC. See 'Copyright Information' page for details)

        
  
NEW LISTING 7/9/15 
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
RESTORED / REFURBISHED / FULLY SERVICED
VINTAGE REALISTIC 8-TRACK
REALISTIC MODEL TR-801
/ CAT # 14-925
#...3312
8-TRACK STEREO PLAY / RECORD DECK
Circa 1975-77 


SOLD 11/21/16
SHIPPING TO MICHIGAN

ü  Our technician has completely gone through and 'Certified' this unit cleaning inside and out, cleaning out ‘gelled’ lubes (a ‘MUST DO’ on all pre-owned / vintage tape decks) and re-lubricating mechanism, investing over 6.5 hours of tech time.

ü  Heads have been cleaned and entire transport has been de-magnetized.

ü Main drive belt and counter belt have been replaced for years of trouble free service.

ü  Internal, linear record switch flooded with cleaner to eliminate 'motor boating' and other common issues.

ü Track indicator contacts burnished.

ü All track indicators function.

ü Head elevator cleaned and re-lubed.

ü Capstan bushing cleaned and re-lubed.

ü Head azimuth & track cross-talk for optimum performance and the best high-frequency response (not normally expected from 8-track cartridge performance) utilizing a dual trace Oscilloscope.

ü Internal PB and METER PC Pots cleaned and adjusted for 0dB with Oscilloscope.

ü Floor noise measured to 0.3mVAC.

ü Speed checked at 99.8% accuracy! (1k = 1002Hz)

ü Checked for 'WOW' and 'Flutter' by recording test tones and dynamic piano cuts. Piano even sounds decent and that's a difficult thing to do with an 8-track 'cartridge' tape deck.

ü Deck has clear sounding highs even when using pre-recorded tapes. This machine would be perfect for burning your 8-track collection  to CD and also records great at 3dB over input level imprinted to tape!!!

ü Looks and works GREAT!
 _____________________________
 
 Great quality 8-track cartridge play / record deck. We recorded from a CD onto a new 8-track cartridge and it sounded as good as a cassette and many Reel to Reels! Quality, ALL METAL tape transport including the head clamp (most decks have 'nylon' head clamps' which will have most assuredly cracked, necessitating repair).
Great for making "new" 8-track tapes for listening in your vintage or muscle car. All functions work great.

 
Again, unit looks and works great and is ready to use! (Tape cartridge shown in photos not included with deck). Includes our standard 30 day limited warranty. Measures 16.5" wide x 10.25" deep x 5.25" high and weighs 12 lbs unpacked. 
 REALISTIC TR-801 / 14-925
 Cond. 8.5
SOLD 11/21/16
SHIPPING TO MICHIGAN

(Above text, in it's entirety, property of www.oaktreevintage.com / Oak Tree Enterprises, LLC. See 'Copyright Information' page for details)

 

 

    

NEW LISTING 7/9/15 
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
RESTORED / REFURBISHED / FULLY SERVICED
VINTAGE REALISTIC 8-TRACK
REALISTIC MODEL TR-802
/ CAT # 14-928
8-TRACK DECK
WITH DOLBY
#...9551
 Circa 1978-82
SOLD 12/10/16
SHIPPING TO PENNSYLVANIA
ü  Our technician has completely gone through and 'Certified' this unit cleaning inside and out, cleaning out ‘gelled’ lubes (a ‘MUST DO’ on all pre-owned / vintage tape decks) and re-lubricating mechanism, investing over 5.5 hours of tech timeü  Nylon head clamp has been repaired (most decks utilize a 'nylon' head mount, and we haven't seen one in a LONG time that hasn't been cracked, allowing the head to 'droop'. This MUST be addressed, or the head would never align to the tape).

ü  Heads have been cleaned and entire transport has been de-magnetized.

ü  Main drive belt has been replaced for years of trouble free service.

ü  Internal, linear record switch flooded with cleaner to eliminate 'motor boating' and other common issues.

ü  Track indicator contacts burnished.

ü  All track indicators function.

ü  Head elevator cleaned and re-lubed.

ü  Capstan bushing cleaned and re-lubed.

ü  Head azimuth & track cross-talk for optimum performance and the best high-frequency response (not normally expected from 8-track cartridge performance) utilizing a dual trace Oscilloscope.

ü  Internal PB, REC and METER PC Pots cleaned and adjusted for 0dB with Oscilloscope.

ü  Floor noise measured to 0.3mVAC.

ü  Speed checked at 97.5% accuracy! (1k = 1026Hz)

ü  Checked for 'WOW' and 'Flutter' by recording test tones and dynamic piano cuts. Piano even sounds decent and that's a difficult thing to do with an 8-track 'cartridge' tape deck.

ü  Deck has clear sounding highs even when using pre-recorded tapes. This machine would be perfect for burning your 8-track collection  to CD and also records great at 3dB over input level imprinted to tape!!!

One issue with every TR-802 / 803 we've had (and we've had quite a few) is they always have non-functioning, non-repairable tape counters. They have an inherent issue with a small nylon gear around a steel shaft that after 30 years, cracks, thus locking it up every revolution. The same thing happens to many Pioneer and Craig 8-tracks, as well as a few others (since the tape counters were primarily made by one company for most electronics mfg's to use). There are two types of Realistic TR-802/803 8-track tape counters,... those that have already have cracked gears and those that are just about ready to have cracked gears. The "work-around" for this is to remove the linkage belt, and cover the tape counter opening.

ü  Looks and other than the above mentioned tape counter, ALL works GREAT!
 _____________________________
 
Great quality 8-track cartridge play / record deck. We recorded from a CD onto a new 8-track cartridge and it sounded as good as a cassette and many Reel to Reels! Quality tape transport.
Great for making "new" 8-track tapes for listening in your vintage or muscle car. All functions work great.

REALISTIC MODEL TR-802 FEATURES:


HEY, WHY ALL THE 'X'd' OUT / OMITTED SPECS AND TEXT?

 
Again, unit looks and works great and is ready to use! (Tape cartridge shown in photos not included with deck). Includes our standard 30 day limited warranty. Measures 16.5" wide x 10.5" deep x 5.25" high and weighs 9 lbs unpacked. 
 REALISTIC TR-802 / 14-928
 Cond. 8.5
SOLD 12/10/16
SHIPPING TO PENNSYLVANIA

(Above text, in it's entirety, property of www.oaktreevintage.com / Oak Tree Enterprises, LLC. See 'Copyright Information' page for details)

 

 

 

    

  

            NEW LISTING 10/23/18
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
RESTORED / REFURBISHED / FULLY SERVICED
VINTAGE REALISTIC 8-TRACK
REALISTIC MODEL TR-802
/ CAT # 14-928
8-TRACK DECK
WITH DOLBY
#...2588
 Circa 1978-82
SOLD 3/21/19
SHIPPED TO BILL IN ILLINOIS
ü Our technician has completely gone through and 'Certified' this unit cleaning inside and out, cleaning out ‘gelled’ lubes (a ‘MUST DO’ on all pre-owned / vintage tape decks) and re-lubricating mechanism, investing over 5.5 hours of tech time



ü Nylon head clamp has been repaired (most decks utilize a 'nylon' head mount, and we haven't seen one in a LONG time that hasn't been cracked, allowing the head to 'droop'. This MUST be addressed, or the head would never align to the tape).



ü Heads have been cleaned and entire transport has been de-magnetized.

ü Main drive belt has been reconditioned for trouble free service.

ü Internal, linear record switch flooded with cleaner to eliminate 'motor boating' and other common issues.

ü Track indicator contacts burnished.

ü All track indicators function.

ü Head elevator cleaned and re-lubed.

ü Capstan bushing cleaned and re-lubed.

ü Defective 'Left VU Meter' replaced w/ another OEM unit

ü Head azimuth & track cross-talk adjusted for optimum performance and the best high-frequency response (not normally expected from 8-track cartridge performance) utilizing RCA #356 and 8TSC-101, Aspen 'Deck Tester' and Audio-Tex 30-312 Test / Alignment tapes, a dual trace Oscilloscope and frequency counter.

ü Internal PB, REC and METER PC Pots cleaned and adjusted for 0dB with Oscilloscope.

ü Floor noise measured to 0.3mVAC.

ü Speed checked at 98.4% accuracy! (1k = 1016Hz)

ü Checked for 'WOW' and 'Flutter' by recording test tones and dynamic piano cuts. Piano even sounds fairly decent and that's a difficult thing to do with an 8-track 'cartridge' tape deck.

ü Deck has clear sounding highs even when using pre-recorded tapes. This machine would be perfect for burning your 8-track collection  to CD or making tape for your 'Antique Muscle Car'.

One issue with every TR-802 / 803 we've had (and we've had quite a few) is they always have non-functioning, non-repairable tape counters. They have an inherent issue with a small nylon gear around a steel shaft that after 30 years, cracks, thus locking it up every revolution. The same thing happens to many Pioneer and Craig 8-tracks, as well as a few others (since the tape counters were primarily made by one company for most electronics mfg's to use). There are two types of Realistic TR-802/803 8-track tape counters;  those that have already have cracked gears and those that are just about ready to have cracked gears. The "work-around" for this is to remove the linkage belt, and cover the tape counter opening.

ü Looks good and other than the above mentioned tape counter, ALL works GREAT!
 _____________________________
 
Great quality 8-track cartridge play / record deck. We recorded from a CD onto a new 8-track cartridge and it sounded as good as a cassette and many Reel to Reels! Quality tape transport.
Great for making "new" 8-track tapes for listening in your vintage or muscle car. All functions work great.

REALISTIC MODEL TR-802 FEATURES:
 
- User adjustable Cross...

HEY, WHY ALL THE 'X'd' OUT / OMITTED SPECS AND TEXT?

mounted on the front panel
 
REALISTIC MODEL TR-802 SPECS:
Track system: 8-track, 2-...



HEY, WHY ALL THE 'X'd' OUT / OMITTED SPECS AND TEXT?

 (± 3dB @ 3-3/4ips)
 
Again, unit looks and works great and is ready to use! (Tape cartridge shown in photos not included with deck). Cosmetically about the only thing worth mentioning is a light, 'wiggly' scratch on part of the face plate (see photos above). Includes our standard 90 day limited warranty. Measures 16.5" wide x 10.5" deep x 5.25" high and weighs 9 lbs unpacked. 
 REALISTIC TR-802 / 14-928
Cond. 8
SOLD 3/21/19
SHIPPED TO BILL IN ILLINOIS

(Above text, in it's entirety, property of www.oaktreevintage.com / Oak Tree Enterprises, LLC. See 'Copyright Information' page for details)

 

 

 NEW LISTING 5/25/12
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
REALISTIC 8-TRACK TAPE PLAY / RECORD DECK
REALISTIC TR-883 / 14-946A
#...4352
W/ AUTO STOP AND LOCKING FAST FORWARD!
 Circa 1978-82
SOLD 6/12/12
SHIPPED TO AUSTRALIA
 We have completely gone through it cleaning all and adjusting the head azimuth & track cross-talk for optimum performance and the best high-frequency response (not normally expected from 8-track cartridge performance) using our factory test tone tapes, and an O-Scope. Entire transport and mechanism has been cleaned, re-lubed and de-magnetized. Program change mechanism cleaned and re-lubed for trouble-free program changes. New, main drive belt and counter belt installed for years of trouble-free service. All original program, meter and record lamps work fine. Heads have been cleaned and de-magnetized and are in great shape. Play, signal path contacts burnished for static-free performance. Capstan cleaned, burnished and re-lubed. External input level potentiometers, internal PB level, meter VR's adjusted w/ factory test tone tapes and an O-scope and cleaned. Tape speed tested with factory 1kHz test tape for reproduction at 1017Hz or 98.3% accuracy! Again, meters adjusted for even response on PB using our factory test tapes, and an 'O-Scope'. We were able to adjust the internal pots to allow incredible recording performance, achieving +2dB playback!!!
  Features include:
  
  - Back-lit, analog ....
  - Concentric L & R...
  - Variable ...


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  - Electro-Mech...
  
  - Analog ....Seconds)

 Specs:
  Track format; 8 track / 2 channel
Heads; 2x, PB / REC and Erase
  Freq Response: xx,000 Hz +/- 3db,
  Wow & Flutter (WRMS); xx%
  S/N ratio: xxdB No NR (A weighted)

HEY, WHY ALL THE 'X'd' OUT / OMITTED SPECS AND TEXT?

  Again, have completely gone through it making ready for ..

Again, with it's....

HEY, WHY ALL THE 'X'd' OUT / OMITTED SPECS AND TEXT?

 Looks decent and works GREAT! Includes our standard 30 day limited warranty. Measures 14.25" wide x 10" deep x 5" high and weighs 9 lbs unpacked. 
  REALISTIC TR-883 / 14-946A 8-Track tape player
  Cond. 8
SOLD 6/12/12
SHIPPED TO AUSTRALIA

NEW ADDITION
(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
REALISTIC 8-TRACK
REALISTIC MODEL TR-884
SOLD 2/15/06