What is the best Reel To Reel machine ever built?


Everyone who has listened to master tapes or dubs knows about the well balanced sound they provide. But it is also important to have a fine tape recorder or playing machine to enjoy the tapes' qualities in a good system.
Maybe my question was raised once before but the relevance of the topic is now greater as the tapes are back to more and more audiophile friends, especially those who are owning excellent phono chains.

I have seen many big & professional machines being recently offered and sold on e-bay, Audiogon and other platforms and I am discussing within a small group which machine is really the "holy grail" among the R2Rs. So why not here. I am interested in findings.
thuchan
Eckart,
Neumanns, especially the tube-mikes are great for recording. I also have good experiences with the Studer mixers, if they are checked and in a good condition.
Recording on Tapes is wonderful, even at home!

Very cool...I want to do this, too :-)
Which Studer mixer are you using and how is it configured?

Thanks,
Sam
Sam,

I am using the Studer A779 which is the smallest Pro-Unit they had.
you may use three unit inputs (tapes or turntables / or mikes).
If you need more info on that the image I will post in one week will also contain the Mixing Solution.

best @ fun only

Thanks, Eckart!

I'll send you some images of the Esoteric P-0s manual...it's in Japanese :-)

-Sam
In my opinion it would be the ones that Professor Keith Johnson uses at Reference Recordings.
Joe Nies
Joenies,

Do you mean the big Nagra, the one Bottlehead is using too?

Best @ Fun Only