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

If there is one thing this thread has accomplished so far is to show that a fair number of members have the polar opposite view of the OP.

Plenty here have revealed that they have actually moved INTO the r2r world with many stating purchased used r2r machines at fair prices in full working order.

It's not mainstream and never will be and is not for those without patience or time.
There will be repairs or tune ups required along the way.

But the sonic rewards are well worth it imho.

I just wish the market for used original recorded r2r music was not quite so "buoyant" as it is. Routine actual selling prices of $50 plus for popular titles is not fun at all.

Seems as audiophiles we’re all on the fringes anyway in terms of our own obsessions with sound quality and musical enjoyment (not a passion shared/appreciated by the majority of the public).  I think it’s great that there are so many options that one can explore (new/vintage formats alike).  For me it has always been making a connection with the music - in that pursuit there are many paths to audio Nirvana, let reel-to-reel tape be one of them.

@vinny55 Um.... no. I was a Nak dealer back in the day, and have owned multiple decks, including the Dragon. Yes, they are glorious. Vastly better than most cassette decks. 

And yes, parts are a problem. But no, they do not equal a Revox with a good source tape. I worked with a Revox shop that did live field recordings years. A half track at 15ips is the best analog source I have ever heard. Turntables included.

I sold my old Teac A 5300 I purchased in S.E. Asia. I kind of miss it. I saved my 7" reels of good music and I'm thinking about getting another player for them.  It's hard to find one in great shape and repair is difficult but I may keep looking. And streaming is so easy, I'm a little spoiled, and lazy.  BTW, I really appreciate this site, I'm new at this and I've gotten some terrific advice.  Thanks all.  

At United Home Products, in Virginia, I heard several rebuilt and highly modified machines (they specialize in rebuilding Technics, Otari and Tascam machines).  They have some Tape Project pre-recorded tapes, but, their favorite use of tape machines is to make recordings from LPs.  They don't do this to preserve LPs, rather, they contend that LPs sound better after being re-recorded on tape.  I heard the comparison and I don't quite agree, although I can see why some might prefer the taped version.  The sound is smooth, open and beautiful sounding after being re-taped, but, I thought it lost a bit of dynamics and the hard edge to the initial attack of some instruments.  Still, really good pre-recorded tapes sounded terrific. 

I know that companies associated with The Tape Project also modify machines, offer better electronics, etc. (e.g., Bottlehead makes tube electronics for tape machines).  I have also heard a re-built Studer machine with custom electronics from Doshi and the tapes I heard on it were fantastic.  High speed reel tape has an open top end that is so extended without being harsh or edgy that one does not hear elsewhere.

I will never own a tape machine because of the extreme inconvenience in threading tape, rewinding, re-spooling tape when it spills, splicing breaks, etc.  It is not for me, but, I don't deny that well recorded reel to reel is something special.