WHat did Audiophiles hear during Tape deck era?

From roughly the early 50's to the mid/late 60's, RtR tape sources delivered the highest fidelity possible for a home listener.   The average home hifi system was of mediocre or worse quality for a long time.  LPs were compromised to ensure playback on the average home record player.  Most people aspired to a large console, with decidedly low quality components.   It was only when the masses began to embrace higher quality home equipment did the average person begin to have the ability to create playback system that was better than RtR.   Cassette offered convenience, but it was never a serious rival for the best one could have.   It was inferior to LP and certainly to RtR.

I listened to records then eventually CD's in the 70's then 80's. Back then I taped to gain portability or reduce wear on my records. I did not have the best tape equipment. Life started early with a simple Pioneer CT-F650 then a Denon DR-M2 then a Sony TC-K870ES before leaving audio for 20 years.

Now I have all sorts of sources including 75 cassette decks I have collected and restored. I truly did not know what a humble cassette tape could do until I got back into them starting 4 years ago. I have some of the best decks ever made by most manufacturers. I get a great deal of enjoyment from them. It saddens me so many make blanket statements about a format based on limited experience. I myself did truly not know until I experienced better. It was a revelation. I use cassette tapes a lot today... along with CD's, Records, SACD's and digital files. I even have a box of 8-tracks somewhere I have not listened to in 40 years. I realize I am probably an extreme case for cassettes just as others have invested more in vinyl, digital or reel tape front ends. Its all ok. I am enjoying the journey.

It saddens me so many make blanket statements about a format based on limited experience.

This..........

There seems to be a lot of pre-conceived notions a goin’ on here. Or wishful thinking perhaps, or even mass hypnosis. Yes, I know what you’re going to say, “but my system sounds fabulous!” When cassettes were peaking circa mid 90s they were just beginning to aggressively compress the life out of CDs and LPs. So sad that was the end of the cassette era. 😢 The industry wins again! Score: industry 2, audiophiles 0

Never bought a pre-recorded tape in my life. I made tapes with TDK SA  cassettes and my Nakamichi Dragon.  They sounded damned good.