Why no interest in reel to reel if you're looking for the ultimate sound?

"Cassettes can be pricey, too. The 100 most expensive cassettes are...."

More ridiculous the title, more likely to be on the list.

"Legend has it that he was so unimpressed with the technology available that he had an Ampex tape deck and operator specially flown over for the occasion!"

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen comes to mind. LP from 2014 sounds just fine, really fine.

hypoman,

Thanks. Leaves almost no question unanswered.

The only thing, out of sheer curiosity, is that you mention a number of things to be fixed with those kits. It does read as relatively complex "I assume you know what you are doing" operation and not something a novice should embark on? Is that right, or is it really simple?

Again, thanks for your post.

Is it a blasphemy to mention I am looking at this DAT recorder on audiogon. I have no use for it, but it is so cute. And, it is tape so I can always say that it breaths. And gets tangled.

Selection limits it even before all else.

Size/space is another big thing for many.

Price may be an obstacle for many, but other equipment can get as costly so it is even.

Support for machines may not be perfect and how many of them are new under warranty?

Just setting the tape up to be played is getting less and less practical, as mapman pointed out, I think.

It does look nice, but how long does that novelty last?

Completely subjective, I heard one R2R setup at an audio show. I know, the room was bad, humidity wrong, and whatever else that could have been imperfect was imperfect. It might have been, to me, the most irritating sound of the show. I was hoping for magic and I got sandpaper. Under different circumstances, maybe it would have been bearable, though. To me.