Finally,, an EL-7

[agtbar]

After months of waiting and watching ridiculous prices I've just won a near pristine EL-7 and six tapes for less than $480.00 shipped.
Seeing what the pricing has been on these units, I'd say this was a decent deal. The pic isnt the best quality as i had to copy it from the ebay site

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/CampyFan/Vintage%20electronic%20gear/IMG_0027.jpg

[Elite-ist]

After months of waiting and watching ridiculous prices I've just won a near pristine EL-7 and six tapes for less than $480.00
Seeing what the pricing has been on these units, I'd say this was a decent deal.

Hi agtbar,

I was quite surprised how much these Sony EL-7s fetch on the market. I managed to find some tapes to go along with mine. They were recorded on, but I quite enjoyed the one Zamfir I've listened to, so far. Even Elcaset tapes can be expensive.

You will be astounded at the sound quality, once you receive yours and have had a listen to some recordings.

Nando.

[agtbar]

Thanks Nando, these things are super expensive, most of the EL-7s I've seen are up in the $800.00 plus price range.
Oh did i mention this one comes with an original manual as well, thats a nice piece to have.

[Scorpion8]

..... They were recorded on, but I quite enjoyed the one Zamfir I've listened to, so far. ....

*eyepop* Uh, .... *omg*

[agtbar]

Zamfir is a great pan flute musician, thats IF his style of music appeals to you.
I like his 'lonely shepherd' song and a few others, but thats about it.

[Elite-ist]

*eyepop* Uh, .... *omg*

OK, so I finally came out of the closet! If you want to "separate the men from the boys" in pushing your tape deck's limit for sound reproduction, try some Zamfir.

Nando.

[Beechwoods]

Nice one Agtbar! The EL7 is lovely looking, and sounding deck, escpecially with the FeCr's you've got with your machine.

I also notice you've got the Demonstration Tape - this is fantastic! It sounds great, and the version of 'Also sprach Zarathustra' will bring a major smile to your face!

Enjoy *Hi5*

PS. Some pics of my EL7: http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=3645

[Warped Bezel]

OK, so I finally came out of the closet! If you want to "separate the men from the boys" in pushing your tape deck's limit for sound reproduction, try some Zamfir.

Nando.

Do what most have done while seeking the ultimate in Hi-Fi.

(I'll have what Miles is having)*flame*(that's "high-fi" isn't it?)

[Elite-ist]

Thanks Nando, these things are super expensive, most of the EL-7s I've seen are up in the $800.00 plus price range.
Oh did i mention this one comes with an original manual as well, thats a nice piece to have.

Hi agtbar,

I'll post pictures later of my EL-7. Here's what I bought mine for:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showpost.php?p=94976&postcount=37

I didn't have the original OM with mine, and I was only able to download an OM for the EL-5. Pair up the EL-7 with the H-R100 and you've got the bases covered for an even better IOTW.

I knew Scorp's ears would be burning about my Zamfir comment. He'd rather I had said "Led Zeppelin."

Nando.

[agtbar]

Yup i noticed the demo tape cover box in the pic but that doesnt mean its still in there and with the original recordings on it.
I can hope it is anyways, if not at least the original labelled cassette. So far I've got about 10 of the Fe-Cr 90s, all of them unopened, along with these ones shown in the photo to add to it.
I sure hope this all works out to plan and its as good as it looks and it works properly.
I have no thrift or vintage audio stores near my location so i have to reply on fleabay and searches to see whats showing up and how the going prices are for these things before i commit.
You guys do not know how lucky you are living in a market of a 'throw a way' mentality, you get to collect the really good deals and no so good ones for parts, before they find the landfill.

[Elite-ist]

Yup i noticed the demo tape cover box in the pic but that doesnt mean its still in there and with the original recordings on it.
I can hope it is anyways, if not at least the original labelled cassette. So far I've got about 10 of the Fe-Cr 90s, all of them unopened, along with these ones shown in the photo to add to it.
I sure hope this all works out to plan and its as good as it looks and it works properly.
I have no thrift or vintage audio stores near my location so i have to reply on fleabay and searches to see whats showing up and how the going prices are for these things before i commit.
You guys do not know how lucky you are living in a market of a 'throw a way' mentality, you get to collect the really good deals and no so good ones for parts, before they find the landfill.

Hi agtbar,

Yes, I believe a few of us are "gifted" in the respect of having resources near where we live. But, as well, I have friends, who knowing I like vintage gear let me know of some deals; some from their own family members, and usually at no charge. In those circumstances, a case of beer or a gift card is enough to show my appreciation. My biggest beef of online used services is being able to demo the product, before I pay for it. And I don't feel the need to register for ebay because of this. Your local craigslist can be a better choice.

Regardless, I'm sure you will have a fine EL-7, once it arrives. OK, so now we can spark some interest in either an Elcaset mix tape or an 8-track mix tape swap project.

Nando.

[agtbar]

Hello Nando,
Ok heres the deal, i dont have Craigslist in my neck of the woods, nor friends or other persons with any quality vintage gear they care to release to me.
Such is the joy of not living in the North American continent, a pleasure reserved to those living there obviously.
I'd say a mixed tape is in order for both elcaset and 8 track, should it be a "surprise me" mix swap???

[Elite-ist]

Hello Nando,
Ok heres the deal, i dont have Craigslist in my neck of the woods, nor friends or other persons with any quality vintage gear they care to release to me.
Such is the joy of not living in the North American continent, a pleasure reserved to those living there obviously.
I'd say a mixed tape is in order for both elcaset and 8 track, should it be a "surprise me" mix swap???

Well agtbar, if you're game for a mix tape swap it will get me in gear to check on the recording capabilities of both my Sony EL-7 and Pioneer H-R99, as I haven't made any recordings on either machine, yet. For me, simply no rap or new country would be the limitations. How about you? Will it be awhile before you receive your EL-7, because we can exchange addresses by PM once we are set to go.

Nando.

[jbeckva]

Wow that's some nice gear. Awesome!

Hey.. Now I'm curious... what were the typical specs as far as these guys go?

[Elite-ist]

Wow that's some nice gear. Awesome!

Hey.. Now I'm curious... what were the typical specs as far as these guys go?

Hi jbeckva,

Here's some info for you to look over. As good as a reel to reel player/recorder spec-wise.

http://indiscriminate.tripod.com/audio/elcaset/SonyEL-7.htm


Nando.

[jbeckva]

Hi jbeckva,

Here's some info for you to look over. As good as a reel to reel player/recorder spec-wise.

http://indiscriminate.tripod.com/audio/elcaset/SonyEL-7.htm


Nando.

Wow! Now that's really interesting. Why do you think the response is actually better than the typical R+R of the same timeframe, at the same speed of 3 3/4 IPS?

I gotta get me one of those.. *Hi5**reelspin*

[Elite-ist]

Wow! Now that's really interesting. Why do you think the response is actually better than the typical R+R of the same timeframe, at the same speed of 3 3/4 IPS?

I gotta get me one of those.. *Hi5**reelspin*

Hi jbeckva,

The following review will summarize this short-lived format, some of us are rediscovering today:

http://indiscriminate.tripod.com/audio/elcaset/articles.htm

Nando.

[howie123]

Here are a few pics of my EL-7, purchased new by me in 1980. A local audio shop here in Northern New Jersey managed to get a few brand new EL-5 and EL-7 decks and sold them off for $80 and $100 USD respectively. At that time, I had a couple of decent cassette decks and just bought this due to the great price. I used it for just a short time and then put it in storage. It was sitting in it's box in the attic for nearly 30 years, and I just took it out of retirement about a year or so ago. I also purchased a case of 12-60 minute FeCr tapes and most of them are still unopened. The deck works like new and I hope to enjoy my new "old" EL-7 for a long time to come. :)

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el71-1.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el70-2.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el71.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el70-1.jpg

[Elite-ist]

Here are a few pics of my EL-7, purchased new by me in 1980. A local audio shop here in Northern New Jersey managed to get a few brand new EL-5 and EL-7 decks and sold them off for $80 and $100 USD respectively. At that time, I had a couple of decent cassette decks and just bought this due to the great price. I used it for just a short time and then put it in storage. It was sitting in it's box in the attic for nearly 30 years, and I just took it out of retirement about a year or so ago. I also purchased a case of 12-60 minute FeCr tapes and most of them are still unopened. The deck works like new and I hope to enjoy my new "old" EL-7 for a long time to come. :)

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el71-1.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el70-2.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el71.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el70-1.jpg

Hi howie123,

Very nice introductory photos as a new TH member. A hearty welcome to you! Your EL-7 is as new looking as it gets, and the FeCr tapes are a perfect match to this deck's recording and playback capabilities.

Nando.

[canonlon]

This is a very generalized question but >
How does the EL-7 sound quality compare to a top line compact cassette deck?

[howie123]

Hi howie123,

Very nice introductory photos as a new TH member. A hearty welcome to you! Your EL-7 is as new looking as it gets, and the FeCr tapes are a perfect match to this deck's recording and playback capabilities.

Nando.
Thanks for the welcome! I'm happy to be a member of this fine forum, and find it to be an excellent source of information for all things tape...

This is a very generalized question but >
How does the EL-7 sound quality compare to a top line compact cassette deck?

I can honestly say that a FeCr tape properly recorded on the EL-7 sounds identical to the source material, at least to my ears. I'm guessing that it sounds as good as a TOTL RTR running at 7 1/2 IPS, and most likely better than most, if not all cassette decks. (EL-7 specs shown below.)

BTW, I uploaded scans of the EL-7 owner's manual, and if anyone is interested, it can be found here (PDF format):
http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/sony/el-7.shtml

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/sshot-1-6.jpg

[Elite-ist]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm happy to be a member of this fine forum, and find it to be an excellent source of information for all things tape...



I can honestly say that a FeCr tape properly recorded on the EL-7 sounds identical to the source material, at least to my ears. I'm guessing that it sounds as good as a TOTL RTR running at 7 1/2 IPS, and most likely better than most, if not all cassette decks.

BTW, I uploaded scans of the EL-7 owner's manual, and if anyone is interested, it can be found here (PDF format):
http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/sony/el-7.shtml

Hi howie123,

If you like, you can fill us in on more details of your interests in the "Meet-N-Greet" sub-forum; only because some members may miss your introduction posted here.

I'm sure there were alot of TH members' ears which perked up upon your mention of those outrageous blow-out prices on EL-5 and EL-7 decks!

As far as the comparison of the Sony EL-7 to other top dog cassette decks I can only compare to what I own, and it's safe to say it's astounding. I wish there were a few others who could experience the Elcasets. Those specs are an indication of how good they can sound.

We have a database on our site, as well, and I'm sure Njord would be very grateful to have your contribution added to the large reference material already available.

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=8010&referrerid=2030

I had been looking for an EL-7 OM, but only had the EL-5 OM, for the time being. Thanks for the tip!

Nando.

[howie123]

Hi howie123,

I'm sure there were alot of TH members' ears which perked up upon your mention of those outrageous blow-out prices on EL-5 and EL-7 decks!



I bet there were! :)

Around 1980 or so, Sony sold off most of their Elcaset stock to a supplier in Finland. I was lucky to find a new-in-box EL-7 for $100. If I recall correctly, the EL-7 retailed for close to $1000 when it was introduced in 1976. I wish I had bought a few more!

[EDIT] BTW, I e-mailed Njord a copy of the manual for inclusion in his database. :)

Here are a few more pics of the EL-7.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/e2-1.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/e1-1.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/el3-1.jpg

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t348/howie123_photos/elcaset_blank.jpg

[Elite-ist]

I bet there were! :)

Around 1980 or so, Sony sold off most of their Elcaset stock to a supplier in Finland. I was lucky to find a new-in-box EL-7 for $100. If I recall correctly, the EL-7 retailed for close to $1000 when it was introduced in 1976. I wish I had bought a few more!

BTW, I e-mailed Njord a copy of the manual for inclusion in his database. :)

Hello howie123,

Now, that's a story to warm the analog lover's heart. I played some Zamfir tonight on the EL-7. The "B" side is a mix of 70's classic rock, which is more my style. However, in playing Zamfir the Elcaset sounds superb, especially, in the quieter passages. It was one of 5 mix tapes I bought soon after purchasing my EL-7.

That's a very nice series of photos worthy of representing the Sony EL-7. You lucky dog!

Thanks for the follow-up on the EL-7 OM for Njord's database.

Nando.

[VintageSteve]

I know nothing about Elcaset, but -- man! -- that is one gorgeous machine!! Thanks for the great photos and welcome to Tapeheads. *Hi5*

(To any eBay sellers out there: *that* is the kind of machine you have permission to call "minty"...*yes* *check*)

[howie123]

I know nothing about Elcaset, but -- man! -- that is one gorgeous machine!! Thanks for the great photos and welcome to Tapeheads. *Hi5*

(To any eBay sellers out there: *that* is the kind of machine you have permission to call "minty"...*yes* *check*)
Thanks! IMHO, you really need to see one of these in person to appreciate it... They are HUGE and very well made machines. They don't make 'em like that anymore!

BTW, always glad to share pics of vintage equipment. :)