Most PRACTICAL, yet good sounding REEL to REEL ???

As a starting point I'd check the TEAC 2300 series (I have the Dolbyized A2300SD). I also have a Teac X1000R and the technician who services them both thinks more highly of the 2300 despite its much lower original cost. The downside is that you're unlikely to find one -- ANY tape deck -- that doesn't need maintenance and/or service by a knowledgable technician. But it's worth the effort, IMHO. Dave

Tandberg built some excellent R-to-R recorders. Some years back, I owned a Tandberg 6000 (7.5" reels), and while it lacked some of the "bells and whistles" found on Japanese units, it was easy to use and made excellent recordings. Tandberg also made larger recorders which handled 12" reels, and they were highly regarded in their day. Since Tandberg is still in business, it's relatively easy to find a repair service for them.

Ebay yourself an Otari MX5050. Find one that hasn't been rode hard and hung up wet. These professional decks are reasonably priced and far better than the major japanese players.

You won't be sorry.

Best,

Paul

Tandberg not only made nice reel Machines, but made some really killer sounding units, with many very unique features, and were also very beautiful looking units, but I can also remember back, that many were reknown to be problematic, and very finnicky also.

Sony was another machine that had looks, features, but my personal finding that they too, were a basket of problems, picking up RFI, rewinding like washing machines, and had a tendency to be unreliable.

Some of the old Roberts were great, but at this stage of the game, it won't be easy finding a worthy unit.

As another mentions, the TEAC 2300 Series, and its bigger brother, the 3300 Seies would be a good place to start, have really good sound, generally held up very well, their prices for a very clean unit won't set you back too many dinero, and some parts can be found.

If you have no plans, or desires to run the larger 10" reels, nor record, or playback at 15ips, then the 2300 series machines should fit the bill nicely.

No doubt, many of the tapes you are seeing at the shops are only 3-3/4ips speed, and some may be 7-1/2ips.
You'll need to make sure the machine you wish will utilize both these speeds.

Some of the better 3300 series machines had 7-1/2ips, and also 15ips, and could use either 7", or 10" reels.

Virtually all were four track-two channel stereo machines, some had auto-reverse, and even one of the 3300 machines was a two track, meaning generally, that no pre-recorded tapes could be used on such a machine, and although the two-track was no doubt the best sounding of the 3300 series, this machine will have limited use due to its two-track play-record only feature. Fine for dubbing from CD, or LP, but won't play pre-recorded tapes you find. Mark

I'd also consider a Revox A77 deck or possibly one of the better Akai decks with the extremely long life glass heads.