Less than top line reel-to-reel worth it?


My inner audio geek (expensive bastard, him) has been aroused by the recent resurgence of top of the line reel-to-reel deck re-fabrication units like United Home Audio's decks, and new (almost) master tapes becoming available from the likes of The Tape Project. Problem is I can not buy a $10k deck and $500 tapes, and simultaneously enjoy the benefits of matrimony. Consequently, I have been looking at much more affordable refabricated decks ($1000 - $2000 range) and used stereo 4-track 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips tapes.

I believe the expensive stuff can deliver with 2-tracks per 1/4 inch tape and 15 IPS, but should I expect 'better' sound than I can get from my Wadia CD Player, and J. A. Michelle turntable from the more affordable 4-track (two in each direction) slower speed stuff; or would this just be a trip down nostalgia lane?
Ag insider logo xs@2xduddley
i have several reel to reels myself and i love to listen to tapes and make new dubs from vinyl that i can borrow from friends. however, one issue that is unfortunately lacking in the development of consumer decks is that there never was a higher grade of electronics incorporated into these machines before they
fell out of production. unless you have lots of room for a studio-quality transport and custom recording preamps and playback amps, you're not going to realize the full potential of this wonderful format. United Audio's TASCAM BR-20 is something that should have been developed (in some form) years ago, but even if you supply your own machine ($500) and dispense with all of the cosmetic upgrades, it's still almost $20K. surely someone could come up with a more reasonably priced "compact" machine.
Years ago i was away at college and i walked into a little audio shop with a Revox A77 deck playing Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" through a good pair of speakers. If only i could've laid my hands on $500! the sound just blew me away. you just never forget how good classic audio used to lift you up.
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I had a lowly Dokorder reel-to-reel machine back in the mid-'70's and I thought it was the Holy Grail of audio...played through my Sansui 771 reciever. I've never heard a pre-recorded open reel tape. The only recordings I've ever heard on a reel-to-reel machine has been recordings made from LP's. And to me they sounded at least as good as the LP, if not better.
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Just a word of caution - not sure what the shelf life of a reel of tape is; but older tapes will dry out over time and gum up the player's heads. A lot of used tapes (and even NOS) sold over the internet have seen better days!