Can we finally put Reel to Reel out of its misery? Put it to rest people.

I own a Tandberg 9000X and Technics 1500, both fine decks.  However, I rarely use them anymore other than playback.  The Tandberg was used until the mid-80s to make very fine recordings.  However, LPs and CDs are just too convenient and only the LP cartridge wears out (the lasers I've had last 5,000+ hours) and now approach 15 ips RR quality.  I use a digital recorder since the 2000s and have used DAT prior to that for recording transfers.  Most of my pre-recorded RR from the 60s and 70s are inferior to well mastered and pressed LPs and often well mastered CDs.  I have some 50s pre-recorded RRs that are amazingly good but transferred them to CD via the Alesis Masterlink.  I've appraised many sound studios and found some rockers prefer RR from the 90s to the present time.  They can also afford using RR instead of digital (some major bands).   

I don't know why radio stations play poor sounding 78s, even acoustically recorded pre-1925.  I have 7,000 78s, 100,000+ on CDs and LPs superbly remastered and they sound fine within their sonic limitations.  

As to the Masterlink, it is an adequate recording device.  I don't use it for live recording.  I use it solely for copying and editing recordings to CD format.  I prefer DAT recording to RR for ease of use and have great recordings on DAT.  

I have some great early stereo 50's R2R that slay the LPs and CDs.  George Wrights' Razz Ma Jazz on Audio Fidelity, Red Norvo Quintet Naturally and the Hi-Lo's on a pre-Columbia tape   Amazing clarity and dynamics.