Can we finally put Reel to Reel out of its misery? Put it to rest people.

Here is a list of manufacturers, while none that I know of are currently making new ones, there are many available as are the parts, rebuild and techs that service them..  

• ACES
• AEG
• Aiwa
• Akai
• Amalgamated Wireless Australasia / AWA
• Ampex
• Ampro
• Antimatter
• Audio-Technica
• Scophony Baird
• Ballfinger
• Bang & Olufsen
• Boosey & Hawkes[22]
• BRAUN AG (Germany)
• Brenell Engineering
• British Tape Recorder
• Budapesti Rádiótechnikai Gyár
• Brush Development
• Carad
• Clarke & Smith
• Collaro
• Concord
• Crown International
• Dokorder
• DUAL (Germany)
• EBEN (Germany)
• Ehrcorder
• Eico
• Electra
• Elektronika
• Elizabethan Electronics
• EMI
• Ferguson Electronics
• Ferrograph
• Fidelity Radio
• Fostex
• Geloso
• Gradiente
• Grundig
• Hanimex
• Harting (Germany)
• Hitachi
• International Tapetronics
• JVC / Japan Victor Corp
• Kashtan
• Kenwood
• KLH
• Koerting (Germany)
• Lafayette Radio
• Leevers Rich
• Lyrec
• Magnavox
• Magnetophon
• Magnecord
• Maihak (Germany)
• Marconiphone
• MCI
• Mechanikai Laboratórium
• Mitsubishi
• Miyata (The Karaoke Specialist)
• Nagra
• Nakamichi
• National
• Nivico / JVC
• Nordmende (Germany)
• Olimp
• Optonica by Sharp
• Otari
• Panasonic
• Philips
• Phonorex (by Ihle) (Germany)
• Pioneer
• Presto Recording Corporation
• Rundfunk- und Fernmelde-Technik
• Racal
• RadioShack / Realistic
• Reflectograph
• Revere Camera
• Revox
• Roberts Radio
• Robuk
• SABA (Germany)
• Sansui
• Sanyo
• Saturn
• 3M
• Scully Recording Instruments
• Siemens (Germany)
• Sharp
• Schoeps (Germany)
• Sony
• Soundcraft Magnetics
• Stancil Hoffman
• Stephens
• Stellavox
• Studer
• Symphonic
• Tandberg
• TASCAM by TEAC
• TEAC
• Technics
• Telefunken
• Tesla
• Toshiba
• Truvox
• Uher
• Unitra ZRK (manufactured in Poland, not only under Grundig licence)
• Unitra Magmor (manufactured in Poland, not only under Grundiglicence)
• Vestax
• Viking of Minneapolis (Division of the Telex Corporation)
• VM / Voice of Music
• Vollmer (Germany)
• Vortexion
• Walter
• Webster Chicago (Webcor)
• WEGA (Germany)
• Wharfedale
• Wilcox Gay
• Wollensak
• Yamaha

I just purchased my first reel to reel player last December. Best addition to my system ever! 

A good tape beats any other medium I have heard...and I’m a very critical kinda guy and have tried em all except MQA.

Tape is not as romantic and glossy as vinyl, nor is it the clean ridged re-representation that is often digital. It is just so freakin ‘natural’ sounding! When you hear it it’s like “Oh. That’s what it’s supposed to sound like.” Great contrast and cohesion. What comes off of a good tape sounds alive!

Even albums I used to think were just recorded badly sound ‘right’ on tape. Aqualung is a good example.

I hope this format isn’t on its way out. It’s a shame more people can’t hear how good it sounds. 

Shaft on SACD vs Shaft on tape...the tape is just so much more fun! Again it just feels more alive (not live). And it’s really nice to hear panned left and right bass instead of summed to center like it is on vinyl. 

If you are ever in Burbank CA you are welcomed to stop by for a listen.  :-)

dill,

Does any of those manufacturers still make parts or has servicing somehow organized?

Grammar alert 🚨 Not to mention Brer Fox and Tar Baby routine alert 🚨

" Does any of those manufacturers still make parts or has servicing somehow organized? "
- I would doubt it, however there are businesses that do rebuild them, here is a sample:

https://www.vintagetech.co.uk/tape-heads#!

http://www.oaktreevintage.com/Stereo_Open_Reel-Reel_Tape_Decks_Recorders.htm