Why no interest in reel to reel if you're looking for the ultimate sound?


Wondering why more people aren't into reel to reel if they're looking for the ultimate analog experience? I know title selection is limited and tapes are really expensive, but there are more good tapes available now than ever before.
People refer to a recording as having "master tape quality",  well you can actually hear that master tape sound through your own system and the point of entry to reel to reel is so much more affordable than getting into vinyl.  Thoughts? 
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Showing 4 responses by homer_skins

Howdy, I recently scored a beautiful SonoruS Audio modified ReVox PR99 MKI R2R deck. It is a 2-track machine and runs at 15 ips. I am absolutely floored by its sound. So quiet and so beefy and full sounding music from tapes. I also own a nice vinyl rig and the Sheffield Lab D2D of Dave Grusin - Discovered Again which to me is a damn fine sounding slab of vinyl! R2R still beats it though. Tapes are out there and yes a little more expensive, but darn well worth it. I play people my Steely Dan - Gaucho 15 ips Sonorus Holographic Imaging tape and their jaw literally drops. Highly recommended!
A clean RtR tape blows away any other version- premium LP remaster, SACD, 24/96 download.   Miles Davis- Sketches of Spain, Dave Brubek- Take 5, Stan Getz-Gilberto, Stan Getz- Focus, and so on. These tapes are PHENOMENAL !
  iopscrl - I totally agree with you.
Tubes all the way baby! I run my VPI Prime Sig Rosewood through a Bob's Device SUT, then an Aric Audio Transcend tubed phono stage with a separate chassis for the tubed power supply, and then into a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated Amplifier. Phenomenal and dead quiet. My ReVox PR99 MKI is the same way - super silent into the Primaluna and an auditory delight!
@johnss "You should hear Revox with the internal playback electronics by passed with tube playback. really spectacular!!"

Oh, I have hear that this is the way to go for sure! Arian Jansen who modified my ReVox and whom I also purchased it from does that tubed pre mod in his more expensive decks.  Arian also makes GREAT tapes!  Dana