Help me start off right in the reel to reel realm

You need to clarify what type of prerecorded tapes you plan on playing. Are we talking TP type tapes here or 7 1/2" 4 track tapes or both? The answer will have a profound effect on which machine you should buy.

Thank you all for the responses so far and the guidance. As I feared, I do not know enough (yet) to ask a question that is focused enough.

In example, Mepearson - You asked me about TP type tapes versus 7.5" 4 track tapes, or both. I don't even know what TP stands for. Guessing that 7.5" refers to the diameter of the reel. Guessing that "4 track" is an example of how much resolution the recording process affords . . . I suppose the capacity to play both types increases the chances of finding more high quality recordings. If so, that is appealing, but of course, that likely also increases the price.

Is anyone out there using the low end United Home Audio (UHA) HQ Decks for the Tape Project? These would be the entry $4000 and $5500 machines. Is it worth it to get into reel to reel music at this level or do you really need to go to the level 3 and level 4 machines at around $10K for it to be a noticeable improvement over good TT system?

The 7.5 is a speed, not reel diameter. Most pre-recorded commercial tapes are 7 inch reels. In the early days of pre recorded the format was two track, stereo. It quickly changed to four track, stereo. Most four track were issued in either 3.75 or 7.5 speed (double 3.75). Quality of re-recorded commercial tapes is all over the 'quality lot'. The best are the Barclay-Crocker 7.5 tapes with Dolby b coding, and they are also considered the best since they were produced in a duplication process that was not high speed. I actually watch there process, in person. There are also 'broadcast' pre recorded tapes, which came on 10 reels, were two track stereo. These are what most broadcast stations used until cd's came on the scene. Quality was very high as Bill Drake was a nut about quality, they ran at 7.5 speed and were encoded with automation signals that let four reel be mounted and played continuously. Drake-Chenault is the brand most people know when it comes to these broadcast tapes, there is a web site up on its history. Also, and very hard to come by, were broadcast tapes made by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. These were 10 inch reel, four track, 3.75 speed. Each side had about 50 cuts and most of the auto reverse machines sensed the leaders to provide continuous play. These AFRTS tapes were very high quality, and they should have been seeing us tax payer's went for 'nothing but the best'.

I have about seven reel to reel machines, including Technics, Akai, Sony and Teac/Tascam. What one machine would be a good start? Akai GX-635D. As mentioned, Teac still does service and has parts. I use people that brought out Teac's service business on the East coast.

As you know, the downside of reel to reel is lack of machines in excellent shape. Just like turntables, pick up is a must. The UPS guy's love to crush these machines, original box or not.

Lastly, pre-recordered tapes are a crap shoot. Start slow.

4musica-I can't help you because you don't know what you are looking for yet. TP stands for the Tape Project and they are selling 15 ips 2 track tapes that are usually made from the master tape (but not always, the Linda R. came from a safety copy and they didn't tell the subscribers until it was shipping)albeit they are not made directly from the master tape. The TP copies the master tape onto a 1/2" tape recorded at 15 ips 2 track and then makes the copies they sell you from the 1/2" tape. I realize you don't understand 2 track from 4 track and IEC from NAB, but you need to understand these terms in order to figure out what you want to buy. In order to play back TP tapes (which will cost you $300 each if you buy a limited subscription for 6 tapes or $500 each if you just buy a single tape), you need a deck which will play the 10 1/2" reels at 15 ips 2 track with IEC equalization. If you want to buy used 4 track tapes from flea pay, you need a deck that will play back 4 track tapes with NAB equalization and will play at 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips. You will find damn few decks which will meet both criteria which is why some people have two decks. So, you need to choose your poison.

Sib-If I was going to drop at least $4K on a deck, it wouldn't be on a UHA deck. I would buy a Studer A80 or A820 and have it gone through by one of the Studer gurus. The UHA decks are not built to the same standards as a pro Studer deck. There is a reason the big Studers weigh a couple hundred pounds.