Factory prerecorded R2R tapes are perhaps the most astounding sound that you will here on this earth. They are scaled down copies of first generation masters. We all should know by now, The more difficult the playback meduim,
the better the reward. I have a 41yr old recording of Belafonte at Carnegie Hall & I borrowed the audiophile pressing of the LP, & the R2R blew it away(Table VPI TNT-3
tape deck, pioneer Rt1020L) The table lists for about 10X
the amt of the reel to reel. Perhaps the secret should be now released, look to the past for the best sound.(yes I own a SACD player) I hope that this does not drive up the price or reels on Ebay. When I leave the Stereophile shows,
listening to equiptment 30 fold more expensive than mine, I do not feel bad that I will never be able to afford ANY of these fine products. I go home, put a Ampex 7&1/2 ips tape,
and I smile.