Just an observation here, but????????

@orpheus10 very clever to record onto reel! A good tape deck should probably be my next purchase. I’m also curious as to whether recording CDs onto reel tape can make them listenable, lol.

First off, you want 2 track reel as opposed to 1/4 track; it delivers much more. When you record vinyl or CD's to 2 track, the playback is always better.

Tape is such a problem, that I wouldn't recommend getting into reel, but if you can overcome that obstacle, you can experience the pinnacle of high end audio.

@orpheus10 which Teac r2r machines would be capable of 2 track (half track?) operation?

In vintage turntables, I prefer spring suspension augmented by the turntable being placed on rubber isolation feet. My Technics SL-1700mk2, which benefits from a non-resonant substructure which is spring-suspended, has its feet upgraded to the rubber-isolation feet from the brutish SL-1200mk2, which has no suspension whatsoever. The result is great. For my application anyways....  

Orpheus 10 how in the world is recording a album to tape, regardless of the type, going to make playback better.

A extra variable in speed?  Another transfer function?  Unless  I read the above post incorrectly, I am really lost.

Enjoy the ride
Tom