Sony EL-D8

The Sony EL-D8 Elcaset portable is quite likely the highest quality cassette recorder ever made. Any of the professional walkmans are unlikely to exceed the specifications of this machine with the exception of the Signal-to-noise ratio which for Dolby B still remains a bit on the poor side, although it's claimed at 62 DB.
As is the case with the EL-4 home machine, the EL-D8 has automatic tape type and dolby B selection.
When purchased new, it came with a BP-26 battery pack (8 D-cells) and the AC 26 12v powerpack plug in the wall adapter. What was provided was voltage dependent on the country of distribution.
An available option was the BP 55 NiCad rechargeable battery pack which came with a recharge interface fitting both AC-26 and BP55 so the battery pack was receiving a 12v recharge.

The Sony EL-D8 was reviewed in the British publication Hi-Fi for pleasure February 1979 here are some excerpts

Fine indications
- the level meters showed some of the finest and most accurate peak indications that I have yet encountered on domestic recorder
- the replay amplifier clipping margin was amazingly good, and distortion in the electronics generally at a very low level indeed at all normal levels.
- only the slightest head contour effect was noted at very low frequencies the resp the response actually maintained down to 20 Hz. Ferrichrome Elcasets produced at best almost a straight line from 50 Hz to 20 kHz which is staggering , with virtually no deterioration with Dolby B processing . Just 3.5 dB Attenuation was noted at 15 kHz one the response was checked at Dolby level and thus transients are very well reproduced.
- the overall wow and flutter was again exceptionally good , averaging only .04% peak weighted thus being better than most of the other machines reviewed when they were running at 19 cm/s.
- My only major criticism of the machine was the annoying delay in the electronics coming on to full operation on switch on. Many users will be rather impatient and annoyed perhaps at missing the beginning of an important sound but after all there is a pause control which is effective.
- this machine sets a standard for cassette -type mechanisms which is going to be very hard to beat. You should most seriously consider this model if you want to do out-of-doors recordings, even if the medium is not widely used. Here again is the proof that the medium is an excellent one, if only it could have been introduced somewhat earlier . An amazing machine that will delight its owners and which is easy to use and thoroughly reliable.
Post on restoration - https://www.tapeheads.net/threads/rare-sony-el-d8-portable-elcaset-recorder-restoration.100051/