Otari or Technics Reel-to-Reel ?

you can get a Studer A-820 master recorder with additional outboard electronics for less than $25K. It's knowing how to maintain and professionally service these machines- or find someone who really knows what they're doing that can come over to your house. That (for me) presents the real challenge even if you have a large bank account.
Perhaps with the abundance of Teac decks on Ebay and elsewhere for sale, someone could improve upon THEIR parts-quality and put them out there for people with good hi-fi systems (like you and me). Akai, Technics, Revox, Sony, and others are also quite popular machines, and are now selling for a lot of money already, especially if they still work. Why can't a guy with an intimate knowledge of electronics upgrade them significantly beyond their original (read- 1980 Pioneer receiver quality) design? Anyone??

You are right. But even with the original electronics machines from 80s sound excellent, with replaced capacitors. At least my Nakamichi 682ZX made in 1981 does that. As for guys coming over and aligning and tuning at your place, that's tough. Even doctors don't come over these days. And there are not many qualified people, most of them must be in their sixties or seventies.

You can put new transistors and small capacitors in a Technics. I already have, they're easy to work on, don't be afraid to look inside if you're a technician.

Since I hadn't needed any service for my two reels, I didn't know anything about it, but now the Technics seems to be running a little slow; that does not have to be adjusted by Technics, but any old service place in your area. The key is service manuals, which they have, and meters which they have. I could do a lot of the work myself if I had the meters any good shop has. The on again, off again tape is the major problem.

Although I have two reels, so much can be done with your PC if you know a "Geek"; meaning someone who knows computers, that I see no need for reels unless you're turned on by reels (ME), and computers don't need tape.

Enjoy the music.