The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 plus 8 letter word TAPE RECORDER
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
T
A
P
E
R
E
C
O
R
D
E
R
More clues leading to the result TAPE RECORDER
- String instrument, it can play music from an earlier time
- Audio equipment reported race being fixed
- End sharply with E-chord resonating – the essence of stereo for analogue audio equipment
- Slim ring for the Oriental log's a device used in some interviews in the olden days
- It can play back minor hit – the last for Billie Piper
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "it can play music from an earlier time" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it can play music from an earlier time = tape recorder.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.