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Fostex X-28 4-Track Cassette Recorder and 60 Recordable Tapes - $250 (Morrisville)
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Fostex X-28 multitrack recorder. The AC adapter I have for it isn't original - same voltage and polarity on the barrel connector, but lower amperage. The deck sometimes resets when stopping a tape, I assume it's because the AC adapter is underrated and would work fine with the proper adapter.
It was enough to test that the cassette functions - playback, FF and RW, are all working smooth and responsively. I recorded silence to all 4 tracks over top of a tape with audio already on it, and it seemed to be a pretty clean quiet erase. Then, I did a "tap test" with a 1/4" cable on all 4 recordable tracks, and each recorded fine. There are 4 more inputs, which responded but don't seem to record directly - perhaps there's some routing functions I'm missing, or those are just 4 additional inputs for playing on top of the tape as you send it out to a different source. Also, some awesome use of lights in the indicator display. The little lit-up tape reels show what way and speed they're spinning!
The 60 tapes (and case) included have all been recorded on already, and some tabs are broken off. But you can easily tape over the tabs to record fresh, and all tapes appear to have been stored well, no signs of mold or moisture. Some Type I, some Type II (I don't know if this recorder has any options for tape type.)
If you're looking for a way to hunker down this winter and record some tunes the way the 80s kids did it, this may be for you! The Fostex X-28 seems to get $400 on its own pretty regularly on E-Bay, and decent used tapes maybe a buck a pop. Trying to price it to make it a decent deal.