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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
thuchan OP
1,009 posts
 
some impression from RMAF 2011:

Tape Decks
This was more than a bit surprising. I've always known that a good deck crushes the sound of vinyl providing you have source tapes that are fairly close to the masters. I was amazed to see so many top shelf decks in so many rooms at the show. Best part was, everybody was using them. I saw everything from studio decks to a little portable Stellavox 3 1/2" deck that will blow your mind. Good sounding open reel decks aren't exactly inexpensive, neither are the source tapes, but boy does it sound good. One of these days I'll get back into this. Like vinyl, I've kept all of my open reel tapes.
usermanual
104 posts
 
My father had a Scully. It was once consider "the best".
brianw
373 posts
 
I have several Scully's. Great sounding deck, Usermanual. Good enough that Hendrix used them at Electric Ladyland. :)
thuchan OP
1,009 posts
 
My new machine has arrived today, hopefully you regard it as appropriate. I was happy that it matched the car's space - but no more milimeters left. I needed help to bring it into my room and it got dark very early at my place So tomorrow I will shoot a picture and post it here.

best @ fun only
c1ferrari
464 posts
 

Some really choice gear, above :-)
Eckart, do you have some 1/2", half-track analog reels??
Looking forward to the pictures!

Vbr,
Sam
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