Why no interest in reel to reel if you're looking for the ultimate sound?

Less practical now than it ever was.  

Hi,
first you need the higher speed ones and that makes the most expensive media today. Needs, attention more than often, supporting material and few can adjust and maintain properly. Prerecorded tapes (HS) are at LP collector prices. Though it is nice to have and watch it spinning. I have no regrets keeping my B77.

I think the OP basically answered the question himself. I was seriously considering getting heavily into tape, as I think that it is the best sounding media. All of my a'phile friends told me not to. The reasoning was not only was it an expensive proposition, but it would ultimately take away from my continuing analog expansion. There just couldn't be enough budget to support both areas...and this reasoning is what ultimately swayed me away from getting into tape. LP collecting is expensive enough and there is always a way to expend more in this area.

Nothing beats RTR. Until you start factoring in all the things that beat it.

I'd like to make a case for RTR. I assume everyone here already has a vinyl setup. Instead of spending 2K on another cartridge or a tweak for that matter, why not spend it on a tape deck? There are reliable highspeed models that can be had for under 2K, Otari MX5050-B2, Tascam BR-20, and a few more come to mind. These two models can be found usually in working condition and need little maintenance since they were made toward the end of the R2R era. Get yourself an MRL calibration tape for $120 and you're ready to roll.
Yes, tapes are expensive, they start at $150 per reel for pre-recorded tape, but tape never was meant to replace any of your existing formats. Look at it as a treat when you get to pull out one of your master tape copy and spool it up! or think of it as eating at your favorite restaurant, you don't eat there every day, but it 's really nice when you do get to (I read that somewhere).