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

A quick perusal on Discogs shows a number of RtR tapes from $40.00 up to $500. Ther are over 3000 tapes available for many genres/artists. Mostly 7" reel size.
New RtR tape will run you $45.00 to $60, depending on vendor/formulation/reel size. I had an old Teac A100 (if memory serves) which was pretty nice unit, till the playback head decided to go south. By that time (mid-80's) RtR decks were more an oddity then a mainstay media playback/creation piece. Still, the sight of two metal reels turning and sound coming out of the speakers was rather cool.

That is a rich mans format, everything about it is expensive. I have come across some great deals on the upper end tape decks and have had to walk away. I know how good they sound and they really are sexy machines but I'd rather save the money for other stuff.
That said, if a nice one landed in my lap and was in working condition, I might keep it for awhile just to admire it and play with it. I grew up with a nice Teac R2R a neighbor gave me and used to tape off the air programs. I loved it but eventually gave it to my brother the musician so he could lay guitar tracks down and combine them. Worked great for that.

BillWojo

So that was Doug Sax. Figures. Epic talent.

D2D is indeed awesome. I have a couple Sheffield, haven’t heard in a while, will be a treat to play tonight. Not a lot of selection. Only one I recall right now has the theme song for that TV show with the cop with the parrot. Yeah that’s how long its been since I played it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNWhVXcjV8

If I could buy those $500 tapes for $100, I’d be all over this. Even though that’s way more than I’d pay for a record. I do own a B77 but no prerecorded tape so it’s not used much.

As daveyf points out, the OP answered his own inquiry in his first paragraph. Many astute responses by experienced listeners here. In theory R2R seems a good proposition. The reality is the tapes are too expensive and choice is limited considerably in comparison to buying records, CDs or streaming options that are available and very affordable. Many happy music lovers are doing just fine with these far more accessible alternatives. Mapman succinctly summed it up very well. 
Charles