hi welcome to this world of r2r.
step 1 , get a great mentor … I had one ..
step 2, do not get consumer 4 track decks , my point is why bother , you can stream good music that may sound better than a 4 track deck.
About an yr ago I got the atr 102 with the mr70 preamp with flux magnetic heads modded by Andrew kosobutsky, for my 1/2” tapes , ( same machine linked to in what’s best forum) . Was listening to Louis Armstrong 30 ips earlier thru the deck it’s unbeatable , fantastic.
For 1/4” 2 track I have an otari mtr 10 modded by Soren in chicago , totally refurbished with flux magnetic heads playing with a nick doshi evo head amp ( latest version) . Phenomenal.
Nothing can beat a good tape played backed in a good machine .
my advice do it right the first time .😀. Pay the xtra $ and you will be a happy listener .