Reel to Reel decks

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You guys kill me. Just when I think I'm "there", someone mentions the "Maxell XLII, Position "EE" tape with its holographic imaging. Now, I want to "take a walk among the musicians". I am so curious and I really want to experience that sensation. All of this means more money for a good tape machine, and even more money for the surely expensive Maxell blank tapes. I started reading this thread for the hell of it because I owned a reel to reel machine a long time ago. I wanted to see what the dinosaurs of hifi were discussing, since of course tape and tape machines were supposed to be long since obsolete. It's been 25 years since I've had a reel to reel machine, and I knew that I'd never look back, much less go back. I must admit this thread has been very informative and very intriguing. Now I'll get to work doing my homework on finding a suitable machine. Thanks to all of you for the info you've provided for me to re-discover reel to reel. Then again, no thanks to all of you for the money it's going to cost me to get re-involved. I'm just thinking of the money than I could have saved if I'd never read this thread.
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Digital technology is doing successfully in vision and communication, when CD was doing great because at that time most people listen to cassette tape and low level vinyl system in solid state amp, but after people found out CD with tube was much better then tube gear came back, later high level vinyl system with tube amp can beat most of CD so that is why most of the high end market full of vinyl system now. reel to reel machine is no more on production now, a pro machine like Studer is very bargain in price even less than a small mid level cartridge but most machine in transistor amp, now people try to play with tube again, I believe this will be top of all in sound quality, the only problem is the source, tape your own is one of the way

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I don't think I'll be taking that walk among the musicians after all. It seems that a used reel of the Maxell tape mentioned above is about $65. Extra if you want it bulk erased. That walk is a little too rich for my blood.
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Mitch4t, I'm with you. I bought that tape ages ago retail. There is no way I would pay what they are asking, and it's not even new.

When it comes to reel to reel I know nothing. Could you people tell me which one would sound better, assuming the same model of course - two track at 7.5 ips or four track at 15 ips? In other words, speed or tape width?