Reel to reel

orpheus 10
I could write an entire page describing the improved playback, but I wont; especially since there are so many who state this is impossible.

It is not impossible orpheus 10 for your particular situation.

When you are recording "punching" tapes you are using IEC or NAB EQ. Which EQ is it? Also remember when you are "punching" tape you are setting levels to the peak (this is important-come back to it) with NAB or IEC EQ, and playing them back on your own machine, same heads, same EQ, same levels. This is important.

Our records are cut - recorded- with RIAA Eq (treble boost/bass cut) Our phono stage puts an inverse RIAA EQ on them when you play them. The question remains for each of us - how well matched is our set up for playing back these records, since none of us are using the same type of machine that cut them. Different carts, different cart settings, different gains.....

Are each of using the best gain, cart setting when playing back records ?

orpheus 10
If you are telling us that your tape copies (high level signal) sound better, than the source LP - (low  level signal) - LP - in your room/ system; then it simply IMO indicates improvements can be made to your vinyl setup.

But hey, it sounds like you are having fun doing what you are doing, and you prefer tape, so I don’t see this happening any time soon.
That’s fine too.

A better comparison for you would be to acquire some Master dubs of actual albums you own, compare them to your lps to determine how big the delta really is.

Cheers

When I got my tape deck years ago I had every intention of recording my daughter on our upright grand piano, together with our son on acoustic guitar. And maybe me on trombone. Yeah...no jokes please.
They used to do an amazing Stairway to Heaven - separately.
But trying to get them in the same room to perform with their schedules was as easy as trying to catch our Savannah cat when she doesn’t want to be caught. Millennials......

Inna - Put $200k vinyl set-up against $25k Studer and the vinyl will lose big time, not just lose.

And you can wheel that Studer to any room you like to take on all comers. Try that with the vinyl

Inna
Put that $200k vinyl set up, against a $25k vinyl setup.
If the more expensive set up, is not set up as required, and the $25k set up is, the $25k vinyl set up can, and will out perform it. fwiw. Anyone installing uber expensive vinyl gear on a suspended wood floor is just putting up a compromised solution. Large amounts of money will need to be spent on isolation products.
Vinyl is a set up game of resonances and vibrations. The most expensive vinyl gear usually comes with set up guys for a reason.
Such is the nature of the vinyl beast.

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Ct0517 to orpheus10
If you are telling us that your tape copies (high level signal) sound better, than the source LP - (low level signal) - LP - in your room/ system; then it simply IMO indicates improvements can be made to your vinyl setup.

orpheus 10
This makes "0" sense; whatever the vinyl, it is reflected on the tape playback; it's not "different".

orpheus 10
Playing back vinyl in your room, involves a different set of parameters, outside of the vinyl signal itself entering your preamp/phonostage which you are outputting to record on tape.
From the limited information you have given us, your situation seems to be one in which your tape setup has received attention, and we have no info on your vinyl setup. You don't show a virtual system; so unless you want to tell us your vinyl gear and setup specifics, for us to get a better picture of your vinyl situation, this conversation is over.

orpheus 10
I will never acquire any other tapes aside from the one's I make; any time tapes are recorded and played back on the same machine, they are perfect.

The machine would have to be calibrated for someone else's tape, and it makes no sense to go through that trouble when I'm in such a narrow range of music.

Not sure what you mean by narrow range. If you mean genre its all out there. 
When you acquire these tapes you have a choice of tape brand, EQ (IEC or NAB), and they come with test tones so you can match peak levels.

orpheus 10

Are you using an MC cartridge. How are you loading it for playback ?