1976 in Hi-Fi
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Quadraphonic sound had been the industry's big bet on the future of home audio since RCA introduced its Quad-8 format back in 1970, but by 1976 that bet had largely failed to pay off. Competing, incompatible four-channel systems from RCA, CBS, and JVC had confused buyers for years, and the format's commercial momentum was effectively gone by this point — RCA's Quad-8 cartridges were discontinued commercially in 1976, even though RCA itself continued to issue some quad material for a couple more years. It's a useful reminder that not every ambitious audio format from this era became a lasting standard.
On a steadier note, Technics introduced the SL-20 and SL-23, a pair of more affordable belt-driven turntables aimed at the mass market rather than the high end — a sign that manufacturers were also thinking about how to bring component-quality audio to buyers who couldn't afford the flagship gear.
