Sound Advice: Fan needs to track down an 8-track tape player

Q: I have a box full of 8-track tapes. Do they still make and sell 8-track players? If so, what would be your recommendation, and where can someone purchase one?

A: Believe it or not, yours is the first 8-track question sent to this column since it started 18 years ago. And even though I know a lot about old formats, I have never owned an 8-track system. Some research was in order.

I found a small but very dedicated group of 8-track fans who still enjoy the format. There are even a few independent record labels issuing new music on 8-track tapes.

However, there are no 8-track players being produced today. The closest you can get is a refurbished version of the iconic Panasonic RQ-830S Dynamite TNT player, available on eBay for around $250.

Before you spend that much, you should consider whether 8-track collecting will be a hobby or if you just want to listen to the music you have now.

If it's the latter, taking a chance on a less expensive used player might be a better option. These include component players that connect to a home sound system.

You also might want to consider just replacing the tapes with used CDs of the same albums, if available. It would likely cost less than the $250 refurbished player.

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