Reel to Reel Woes

why not look at an Otari with 15ips capability? Balanced outputs and inputs, 10" reels, awesome deck

As you know, a R2R deck is the best sound and biggest upkeep.
Either get your Teac rebuilt or get a fully refurbished one. Revox is, IMO, very high quality but others will give you excellent performance. 

Guys,
Thank you one and all for your generous and helpful input.  I've been on other forums that are filled with insults, one upsmanship, and the dreaded politics.  This one is focussed on the topic, and genial in nature.  

Thanks again!!!

PS  This almost makes me look forward to my next "dilemma" :)

Assuming your tapes are 2 channel 4 track (1/4 track) 7-1/2 ips recordings, you might also consider a ReVox A77 MkIV.  These machines are quite good and in some instances a little easier to service in that the record amps and reproduce amps are on separate PCB's which can aid in trouble shooting.  I have refurbed a number of these machines with good success.  Of course in addition to replacing all the aluminum electrolytics, tantalum electrolytics, motor caps and suppression caps, the trim pots should be replaced as well as these get heavily oxidized over time and become difficult, if not impossible to readjust.  The transport control relays should be checked as well and replaced if finicky.
Once all that is done, the mechanics should be gone over thoroughly.  Motor bearings, guides, pinch roller and brakes need to be inspected and replaced or refurbed to insure reliability.  I worked for ReVox back in the early 70's and have high regard for the design of this machine.  Once refurbed, you should get another 30 years of service from it (assuming heads are not severely worn).  They will cost much less than a B77.  OTOH, if you are looking for a machine with balanced i/O, I would recommend a PR-99MkIII.

You don't say how your machine failed. Motor capacitor problems are common and easy to fix. Has it been lubed in the last few years? The arm that swings the pinch roller against the capstan can stick and cause trouble. Do the reels move when you hit PLAY? Often the old grease turns to peanut butter! If your music is on 7 inch reels, I can copy them to CDs or whatever digital form you prefer and "de-hiss" them with computer software. Are you in Southern California? I snoop thrift stores for old tape decks. There are lots (comparatively) of old Sonys and Teacs around. The Panasonics are really rebranded Sonys. So far, I've gotten four out of five running again.