Tape age and condition can be a major factor today, adding to the difference in the quality of the sound. From buying 'lots' of commerical recorded tape, I sometimes get duplicates and often when I play each, different quality of sound, that goes for three's and seven's. So, condition is a big issue today. I don't do any recording, just playback. Since I have more then one deck, playback is also affected by the alignment of the heads. Still, some of my tapes sound better then the vinyl and cd, you figure.
