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

Duh!

I just re-read your original post--your intention is to play pre-recorded reel-to-reel tapes you find at garages sales, thrift stores, etc.

From that standpoint, the ultimate quality of the playback machine is a bit less important because you're interested in playback, not how they sound when playing back what they recorded.

I still rate Tandberg and Revox the best sonically; I rate Tandberg one-motor machines highly for reliability and (relatively) uncomplicated maintenance. Mechanically I always liked 3-motor Teacs, and for playing back pre-recorded tapes they should be fine.

If you find a Sony in good condition, those were good too. Hell, even those single-motor Sonys sounded good and were reliable. The Akais sounded good and were generally reliable, but harder to work on. I heard a professional engineer's portable Aiwa plugged into a mobile recording/playback signal chain that sounded incredible. Of course, he was playing back a master tape, but the Aiwa was up to the task.

You may want to google or scan about to see if anyone carries playback heads for any of these. If they got much use, they could well need a head replacement.

I love my Crown SX824 and SX844.

Johnnyb53, have you or others here ever made a comparison between the Tandberg and Technics 1520 (balanced) open reel machines?

I have the Technics, which mechanically is excellent. It wraps tape so perfectly it looks like a block of machined plastic.

It records half track and plays quarter or half track at 3.75, 7.5 and 15 IPS which covers all prerecorded and even the "master dubs" that show up at Ebay.

The Tape project has a tube preamp for the Technics and being a fan of tubes I'm seriously considering that for my machine.

http://www.tapeproject.com/

Johnnyb53.

Your interest in a reel to reel machine can lead you to some of the best sound you will ever glean from the audio spectrum.

Albert is right on regarding the Technics machine-- if you can find one.

I was lucky; bought a 1500 machine for $600, the asking price, 3 hours after it was listed on Audiogon. $120 shipping from Utah and the unit was pristine. 2 weeks later another showed up on Audiogon for $600. I saw it at 6 am, a few hours after it had been listed. I bought it without realizing that it was to be shipped from Mexico. The shipping cost was almost equal to the purchase price.

When you decide to go reel to reel you need a back up. I have no regreats. I bought them both because of The Tape Project.

Purchasing the Technics VS1500 machine doesn't grant you a path to audio nirvana, there are costs to upgrade to present standards. Not necesary unless you get crazy about audio. Check the posting for Albert Porter, and see what the love of music can do to you.

Relax, Listen, and enjoy the evening. Ken

I have 3 machines 2 Teac's and one Sony. The Teac is very reliable.I was told from technicians that the Tandberg is a nightmare to keep up and running and very unreliable.
From my memory in the good old days the Technics was a very smooth fine running machine.Such a perfect tape path in its direct drive motors.Wow What A Machine.