Reel-to-reel tapes really took hold in audiophile-land in the mid-late '50's, when stereo was introduced and it took an R2R recorder to buy and play stereo. R2R decks stayed in many audiophile decks right up into the mid-to-late '70's, when stereo cassette decks started to become good enough (with new tape formulations and eq's) to be "acceptable" on a high-fi rig. At all times during these eras there were both "audiophile quality" pre-recorded tapes sold and a lot of convenience copies of discs.
Take it from one who was an audiophile through it all.
Take it from one who was an audiophile through it all.