CROSS FIELD AKAI M-8 Stereo Tube Reel-to-Reel - Working Tube Preamps - PLAY Needs Belt

**CROSS FIELD AKAI M-8 stereo tube reel-to-reel tape recorder, mid-1960s.** The CROSS FIELD designation is the higher-tier M-8 variant — Akai's separate-bias-head system that produces noticeably better high-frequency response and lower distortion than the standard M-8. Top-panel branding clearly reads "CROSS FIELD AKAI M-8" (visible in photos). The M-8 family is the US-market sibling of the Roberts 990 — same Japanese-built tube tape deck under different distribution badges. Four-track stereo, 7-inch reels, 12AX7/12AT7 tube electronics. The M-8 has a serious following among vintage audio collectors specifically for its tube preamp circuit, which is regularly harvested as outboard mic-pre gear even before the tape transport is considered. **Modular preamp design — confirmed via photos.** This unit has TWO independently-mounted gold-VU AKAI tube preamp chassis (LEFT + RIGHT channels). Each preamp module is its own removable chassis with its own VU meter, TONE/VOLUME knobs, LINE/MIC inputs, and PRE-AMP OUT. **For the preamp harvester, this means clean extraction — unplug and remove, no chassis butchery required.** **This unit is tested working — tube electronics confirmed alive.** **Bench-tested condition (what I verified):** - **Powers on cleanly** - **Tube preamp path is alive and sounding good** — signal passes cleanly through both channels, audio plays through both internal speakers from a test source. Tube character is intact and the unit sounds the way an M-8 should - **Transport: 3 of 4 functions working** — FAST FORWARD, REWIND, and STOP all engage and function correctly - **Transport: PLAY does NOT engage** — likely a belt + idler refresh job (classic 60-year-old rubber failure on this model — the same fix the M-series is known for) **IMPORTANT — modification disclosure:** **This unit has been converted to direct AC wall power.** The original tube-era power supply path has been modified for direct line-voltage operation, meaning a buyer can plug it in and use it without a variac slow-start. This is not factory-original — collectors seeking a fully-untouched M-8 should know this before purchase. For the working-musician or studio-restoration buyer, the AC conversion is a usability win. **What has NOT been done:** - No bench service performed (no head alignment, no calibration, no demag, no recap) - Belts + rubber components NOT replaced (this is what's blocking PLAY function) - Tubes have NOT been bench-tested for emission strength (but they are clearly working — signal passes cleanly through both channels) - Heads have NOT been demagnetized - Original electrolytic capacitors are presumed in place — they are 60+ years old and a recap is recommended for extended use **Cosmetic condition: Good — honest 60-year-old machine, see all photos for details.** - Top chassis: light surface dust + age patina, all knobs/switches/buttons present and intact - Front-panel branding crisp on both preamp chassis (AKAI gold VU meters, LINE/MIC labels, TONE/VOLUME) - "CROSS FIELD AKAI M-8" badge clear on top panel - 50/60Hz UP/DOWN selector visible (originally for international power markets) - Internal transport mechanism visible in IMG_15 — capstan, idlers, motor pulley, mechanical counter all present and complete - **DISCLOSURE: speaker grille cloth has visible tears on at least one of the included speakers (see IMG_12 + IMG_13).** The wood frame and speaker cone behind it appear intact — the damage is to the cosmetic grille fabric only. Easily replaced with new speaker cloth (~$15 + 30 min). - Rear patent plate ("RECORDING PATENT 230033, OTHER PATENTS PENDING, MADE IN JAPAN") visible but the serial number portion is partially obscured by oxidation — see IMG_17/18 **Sale contents:** - CROSS FIELD AKAI M-8 transport chassis - 2× independently-mounted tube preamp chassis (LEFT + RIGHT) - Original speaker(s) with the noted grille-cloth tear - AC power cord (modified for direct line operation) - No reels, manual, or other accessories **Serial: visible on rear patent plate but partially obscured by oxidation — see photos** **Voltage: 117V/60Hz US (modified for direct AC operation, originally 50/60Hz selectable)** **Comp band — what these go for (2026-05-10):** - As-is / unverified M-series tube units (powers on, transport untested): $240 (cf. eBay 116600078582) - Excellent serviced single units: $400–$600 - Excellent matched stereo pairs: $1,000–$1,100 - **Tube preamp circuit harvest value**: each tube preamp board pulled from these decks regularly clears **~$500 in the outboard-gear aftermarket**. With two channels, this unit's preamp circuits alone represent ~$1,000 in resaleable parts to a tube-pre builder. **Tested-working preamps are worth significantly more than untested ones**, and this unit's preamps are confirmed alive. **This unit is priced at $649** — reflecting the verified-working tube preamp circuit (the genuine money in any M-series unit), 3/4 transport function, and AC-converted usability. For the preamp-harvest buyer, this represents at least a 3:2 value-to-cost ratio on the boards alone — and you still get a complete chassis with working transport (minus PLAY) as a bonus. For the restoration buyer, the most expensive thing in the unit is verified working. **A note about the matching Roberts 990:** I also have a Roberts 990 (the same machine, listed separately). If you're chasing a matched stereo pair for that classic tube-driven sound, message me and we can work something out as a bundle. **Ships securely packed from Nashville, TN.** Heads protected, tube sockets padded against shock. Listed shipping is for continental 48 USA — international buyers please message for a quote. --- **Standard notice — vintage tube electronics:** All listings are sold as-described. Any known issues are listed above. Tube electronics from this era have original electrolytic capacitors that were never designed to last 60+ years. A preventive recap by a competent tech (~$150–300) is strongly recommended before extended use. Common minor issues any buyer of vintage tube gear should expect: - Tubes may need rearranging in sockets for optimal performance - Tube sockets may need cleaning with DeoxIT - Pots can be scratchy — DeoxIT solves most of this - Switches may need cleaning or contact adjustment - Belts, rubber, and lubricants have service lives — this is what's blocking PLAY function on this unit **Returns:** sold as-described, no returns unless the item arrives materially different from how it was photographed and described. Returns must be in original as-shipped condition with all original packaging.