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Reel to Reel is Alive & Well!

Finally after years of being seduced by the allure of reel to reel, I bought a TEAC A-3300SX deck that had been kept in grade B+ or perhaps grade A- condition for some 45 years.

One challenge though: nothing to play on it, and no blank tapes. I happened upon a copy of “Best of Cream” on 7” reel at 3-3/4 inches per second, and ordered it up. So today I received the tape in the mail and listened to it tonight to much delight. The music was alive again, rich, open and detailed. As someone else here likes to say, it seemed that tape does indeed breath, with vibrancy I’ve not heard even from vinyl.

This was so satisfying after waiting all three years. I can’t wait to receive another iconic classic “Days of Future Passed” by the Moody Blues, on its way hopefully in a day or 2 I’ll have it and report back.

So yes, reports of the death of reel to reel have been greatly exaggerated. I encourage anyone else who’s on the fence to indulge in this beautiful format.
128x128sleepwalker65

Showing 1 response by johnss

johnss
564 posts
 
all you need to do is watch the prices of both quarter track and half track decks over the last 3 years to see R to R is far from dead. There has been a small explosion in interest for the format and these decks. Hard to find a really clean 2 track deck for under 1500 now. 10 years ago you could pick them up for 400-500.

and look at the asking prices for X2000R, X1000R or the Akai 747.

most of the decks need to be gone through so time and or money involved to do it.


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