Reel to Reel Question?

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your reply. I think the unit is working properly, but I just wanted to be sure since it now has a warranty.

Man, does it ever sound great! I started playing some prerecorded tapes through my Grado headphones last night and it boggled my mind how tight and deep the bass was and how natural and airy the midrange and highs sounded -- very open, dynamic, and relaxed presentation. I stayed up way too late, but it was worth it!

It's too bad that these great machines fell out of favor, because frankly, this machine beats most CD playback systems I've heard (albeit with a slight tape hiss - though it's VERY quiet with the DBX) and it also rivals expensive turntable systems for a lot less cabbage. It has a quality that's just so "right-sounding" that seems a little different from what CD and turntable-based systems provide. Too bad the public never really seems to embrace the best-sounding formats...

Anyway, I have a decent little collection of classical and popular reel to reel tapes and now I have another high-quality playback medium to savor. Cheers!

Hey David99,

I see a lot of R2R's going for decent prices on ebay -- some are even auctioned with tape collections. Garage sales are also a source of tapes. You can probably get into it (find a decent machine plus some tapes) for under $500. I'd go with a machine that is reported in excellent working condition or one that was recently serviced since they can be expensive to tune up or overhaul. I'd also look for one with either Dolby B or DBX, because these would indicate newer low-noise models. Two-speeds (71/2 & 33/4 ips) and 7 to 10.5" reel capability was desireable for me. I like the more recent Teac decks, but there are other good companies to consider, like Tandberg, Revox, Pioneer, and maybe some models from Sony and Akai and others. Good Luck!