Sony Pcm 800

Updated September 20, 2026

Overview

Product sourcing insights & recommendations

35 来源

The Sony PCM-800 is a professional 8-track digital audio recorder based on the DTRS (Digital Tape Recording System) format, which uses Hi-8 videotapes for high-quality audio recording. Originally launched in the mid-1990s as a "premium" alternative to the Tascam DA-88, it remains a notable piece of legacy hardware in the vintage audio market today Sweetwater Vintagedigital.

Product Overview & Technical Insights

* Format & Media: It records 8 tracks of 16-bit linear digital audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rates onto Hi-8 / 8mm MP (Metal Particle) tapes Vintagedigital Production-Expert.

* Key Advantage: Unlike its Tascam counterpart, the PCM-800 comes standard with AES/EBU digital I/O (via DB-25 or specific XLR break-outs) and balanced XLR analog inputs/outputs, making it inherently compatible with high-end broadcast and professional studio environments without needing external converters Soundonsound Futuremarketinsights.

* Modularity: Up to 16 units can be synchronized to create a 128-track digital recording system Sweetwater.

Market Trends & Valuation

* Market Position: Once a studio staple costing approximately $5,995 at launch, the PCM-800 is now considered a niche "vintage digital" item Rapmag Deepsignalstudios.

* Current Pricing (2025-2026):

* Operational Units: Generally sell for $300 – $700 depending on "head hours" (usage time) and physical condition Ebay Hifishark.

* Parts/As-Is Units: Often found for $150 – $250 due to the high failure rate of the aging mechanical tape transports Bsbroadcast Ebay.

* Market Insight: Demand is primarily driven by professional audio migration services needing to transfer legacy DTRS tapes to modern WAV files, and a small community of "daw-less" recording enthusiasts who appreciate the sonic character and workflow of 90s digital hardware Thegreatbear Ebay.

Sony PCM-800 vs. Tascam DA-88

Feature	Sony PCM-800	Tascam DA-88
Standard Digital I/O	AES/EBU (Professional Standard)	TDIF-1 (Proprietary Tascam)
Analog Connectors	Balanced XLR	DB-25
Target Market	Broadcast / High-End Post-Production	Project Studios / Music Production
Legacy Value	Slightly higher due to AES/EBU	More common, but often cheaper

Critical Warning: Like all DTRS machines, the PCM-800 is highly susceptible to mechanical transport failure and "tape chewing" as it ages. Finding units with low head hours is increasingly difficult in 2026 Tapeheads Youtube.

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Sources & References

35 sources cited · Verified industry data & reports

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ソニー株式会社

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