Full Circle: The Hitachi TRK - 8200E

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Brownlow

Member (SA)
Greetings Everyone,

Way back in 1982, this was my first Boomer. It was good for me at that time, until I realised it would be nice to have a Phono In, that was available on TRK - 8190 / 8290E, the nearest models in the Hitachi range. I loved those big VUs and it would play to a good level of volume, real punchy. It was annoying when you'd tune to a weak radio station playing great music, as the tapes didn't record that great, swamped by too much tape hiss. No manual record level. Booooooooo :thumbsdown:

I forgot about boomboxes once the 90s set in, I was really getting into Hi-Fi and my unit fell into disrepair. I re-discovered it (the Hitachi) on ebay and captured it and my memories for a small fee :-) My love affair only began again last year.

I like a little treble, and this unit can sound a little lacking sometimes. Feed it a good signal from an iPod (e.g Wav), and it's a bit of a cracker. Use Line In and it's fantastic. I still see this unit go for cheap in the UK, like Rodney Dangerfield it gets no respect. Shame really, worthy to be in a collection I think. Hope the pictures are ok, I'm learning :-D

Cheers

Brownlow

PS: The GF-9494 is just included for size comparison. The TRK-8200E is definitely a mid-sized unit weighing about 7.5kg without batteries (10 D sized).

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Brownlow

Member (SA)
redbenjoe said:
stormsven said:
Nice to rediscover your youth grail :thumbsup:

:agree: congratulations :yes:

i wish i could find my first GF
( :w00t: )

Why thank you. :-) There were many boomers I knew about from the Sharp / JVC camp back then, but they were soooo expensive.

Superduper said:
Nice. But not nearly as fancy or flashy as the GF, is it? :-D

I must admit, by comparison, this Hitachi is not in the same class as the other unit lurking in the background. More about that unit another time :yes:

Cheers

Brownlow
 

docs

Member (SA)
Nice find and gz.

I was testing mine out yesterday too and I must admit it does have a nice sound to it.

As you say it is missing one or two functions of other boxes but it's not a bad performer for the little money they cost and I'd dare to say it sounds better than my 8290 too.
 

Brownlow

Member (SA)
I have not heard an 8290 and I think it has less power than the 8200, but mine gave me so much fun recording from pirate radio (when the signal was great). I still have those tapes to this day. My only regret that I can't remember what happened to my Hitachi / Maxell LN C60 tape that came with the 8200.

Such a long time ago.....


Cheers


Brownlow
 

retrohead

Member (SA)
i aquired an 8200 for the first time recently and i have to say im very impressed :yes: .ill go as far as saying its the best one piece hitachi out there-some would argue the case for the 8600 but im referring to looks-and sound-and the 8600 looks great but sounds too bass shy to take it seriously enough :yes: yes the 8600 is handsome and the 8200 slightly less so but the 8200s hearty sound is what wins-congratulations on attaining your first box and let the memories flood back ;-)
 
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