R2R is not over. Some might argue that there has a been a significant revival in the last 5-10 years. There are now several hundred new tape recordings available on R2R (albeit at a cost) and the price of used machines (esp studio machines) is rising. The fact that one company, Ballfinger, has engineered and released a new R2R machine (albeit in minuscule numbers) means that there is a demand.
I now listen to R2R 80% of the time now; my high end record player (Platine Verdier with Schroeder/Allaerts & Hadcock/Decca with TRON Seven Reference phono) is relegated to a period of enforced silence.
Learning how to line up a R2R machine is mandatory, if you are going to get the most out of the tape. But then again, you have to set up the arm/cartridge correctly to extract the very best out of vinyl grooves.
However, if you play a decent tape (even a 4th or 5th generation tape) on a properly calibrated machine. it is really no contest. The R2R just wipes the floor, and it's not even close. Then it can become quite addictive and expensive :)
Charlie
I now listen to R2R 80% of the time now; my high end record player (Platine Verdier with Schroeder/Allaerts & Hadcock/Decca with TRON Seven Reference phono) is relegated to a period of enforced silence.
Learning how to line up a R2R machine is mandatory, if you are going to get the most out of the tape. But then again, you have to set up the arm/cartridge correctly to extract the very best out of vinyl grooves.
However, if you play a decent tape (even a 4th or 5th generation tape) on a properly calibrated machine. it is really no contest. The R2R just wipes the floor, and it's not even close. Then it can become quite addictive and expensive :)
Charlie