Are audiophile R2R tapes worth the money if you do not have a professional R2R deck?

I’m kicking myself towards digital only, as much as I love the idea of tapes and records - and I have two tape decks and two record players.

I use my tapes mostly to intrigue our 8 year old now days, as he’s fascinated by the concept. He’s more into using Alexa, but he listens to tapes also to my surprise.  And the records - when my wife and I have our fireplace going and some candles and a little wine. In other words, a couple times a month, if that.

Otherwise it’s always Amazon prime HD. Makes me sad.

I wouldn’t buy pre-recorded personally. I have some brand new chrome tapes, and I record on them my hi res play lists from Amazon. To me SQ is much better than pre-recorded.  And it’s been quite useful on a couple of occasions when we lost our internet access - tapes to the rescue.  
 

But now I view this as a toy and a conversation starter mostly - as most everyone who comes over for the first time are speechless and don’t really know what to say when they see the stack, haha!

Please ignore the naysayers. I’ve bought around 20 tapes so far and they sound PHENOMENAL. A level above vinyl. It’s not even debatable.  Have I got a fantastic sounding system. Yup. Vinyl CD and R2R with the latter supreme. 
 

I meant to say I go straight from machine to amps

Nothing is better than tape (at least those tapes sold by Analogue Productions and other audiophile labels).  

If youre willing to pay the price, then go for it.  Tape is the most expensive medium and worth it. 

elliottbnewcombjr, I am intrigued, where did you friend get he is R2R Led Zepllin tape from?

Buying a single album in any format for $400+ is way, way, way beyond my threshold of pain. Someone wanted to give me a R2R machine they inherited from their late father. I didn't even investigate. I turned it down, not wanting to go down that rabbit hole.