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

@glupson As I wrote in the second post, of course some of these R2R manufacturers are making digital products today.  I don't see hundreds of successful buggy whip manufacturers around any more, so keeping up with technology is clearly key to staying in business.

The point I was trying to make is, just like any technology, there is digital and then there is DIGITAL, where the most accurate and highest quality digital equipment can be manufactured at high cost.  Someone has to be the best at this technology; I really don't think your ipod or whatever quite meets that standard, and many here pay huge prices for what are marketed as super-high-quality digital components. 

They get to hear their digital recordings played back on the best possible equipment available, and if the recording was done with an equal level of quality digital equipment and recording engineers who are knowledgeable about that process, you are going to hear digital at its best.

Doesn't mean it is "better" than analog; it is simply different.  A favorite analogy of mine concerns "electronic" drums and "Hammond B-3 Chips."

They are both used in the recording studio and in live concerts.  Do they sound anything like "real" drums or a "real" B-3?  Of course not.  BUT, they imitate those instruments and provide their own unique sound.  If the composer wants that sound, they use those digital instruments.  If they want the original sound, they use the original instruments.  No right or wrong here, just preferences.  Now, if you are thinking that your digital instruments DO sound like the originals, that is where we have an issue.  You need a better education or a better ear, I guess.

Cheers!

In one of the responses yes a German company Ballfinger is producing new R2R , they are pricey 11,000 - 24,000 US
SO IF YOU HAVE THE CASH YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT MACHINE
WITH ALL UPDATED COMPONENTS..  or if you really wont  to get into R2R format you can purchase a VINTAGE R2R in great condition for 700.00 - 1600.00 
i picked up a teac x10R made some updates with NEW ORIGINAL-PARTS  belts , heads , capstan rollers AND A FEW OTHER COSMETIC PIECES  
total investment 900.00
and 2 years later never missed a note

richopp,

we must have misunderstood each other somehow.

I was replying to your...

Can you say (or spell) STELLAVOX? STUDER?

Better check it out before you declare R2R deceased.

which implied that those companies would prove R2R alive and thriving. However, both of them have abandoned the format. It might have been an unfortunate example that you picked which, in effect, solidified the impression that R2R is practically dead on any significant scale. Kind of "See these powerhouses of R2R. Ooooops, they do not want to have anything to do with R2R."

When it comes to digital vs. analog, it is not even the point of this thread although it got slid in as "tape is great while digital is bad". Along with "digital is garbage and real musician would tell you". It was also an imperfect example as many, if not most, of the real musicians do not seem to spend much time thinking about it. Of course, it depends on one’s definition of "real musician" and sample size used. Admittedly, my "real musician" sample is small.

I have nothing against R2R (I actually grew up with it being my primary source of music for a while), but it is a niche product for nostalgic people. It may sound better to one’s ears, but thriving format it is not. One manufacturer does not make a renaissance.

"Revox is/has building/built a new R2R in 2017..."

This is puzzling, but not that much. If such thing had actually been produced, ReVox somehow forgot to mention it on their website. Not in the news from 2016 or 2017, not in the history of their tape machines.

Internet has many pictures of 2017 ReVox tape recorder. All of them on some enthusiast websites or YouTube channels. Nothing solid, though. No review of a machine that would be expected to be eagerly awaited. No real pictures. Nothing.

Well, something...

http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=60354

Sad news, ReVox has not been producing tape decks for many years now. Not in 2017. It has not contributed to this revival yet.

All of that makes Ballfinger's claim a reality and not just a marketing hype.

BALLFINGER, Leading Manufacturer of Open Reel Tape Recorders

In the race of one.