Crown1970s-80s2-trk reelHome / Semi-Pro$$Mid-Range($250–800)
Crown CX-822
Engineers wanting a genuine overlooked American professional 2-track deck, distinct from the dominant Ampex/Studer names.
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Strengths
- A genuine American professional-tier reel deck, built by a brand better known today for power amplifiers
- Considered by engineers who used one to have genuinely exceptional transport precision for its era
- Its obscurity relative to Ampex/Studer keeps prices more reasonable for comparable real professional-grade quality
Trade-offs
- Extremely limited documentation and community knowledge exists given Crown's shift away from tape decks entirely
- Two-track only, limiting it to mastering/mixdown rather than original multitrack recording
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Crown |
| Model | CX-822 |
| Era | 1970s-80s |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Tape Speeds | 7.5 IPS / 15 IPS |
| Track Count | 2 |
| Reel Size | 10.5" |
| Tape Width | 0.25" |
| Head Configuration | |
| Noise Reduction | None |
| Varispeed | No |
| Pitch Control Range | None |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Home / Semi-Pro
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Crown CX-822.
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This deckCrown CX-822
Match52
Audio Fidelity72
Flexibility35
Ease of Maintenance38
Tonal Neutrality62
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Maintenance & Supplies
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