WHat did Audiophiles hear during Tape deck era?

Replies to this query definitely confirm my age.  Naturally the goal of recording anything is to as closely as possible reproduce the original source.  High end cassette recorders my the likes of Nakamichi and Tandberg, when properly calibrated, did an excellent job in playback.  Frequency response and bias settings for the desired tape (Metal or CrO2), when performed by an above average dealer with proper test equipment, yielded outstanding performance. Many users saw the exercise as a way to preserve their record collections and prolong stylus life.      

To the OP’s question...I was not an “audiophile” as a teenager in the 70’s but became a big cassette fan that continues to this day.  Almost all recording at that point was vinyl that was played on a Pioneer Supertuner in my car or on my home system.  I didn’t have enough money to buy all vinyl in high school or college but benefited from taping LPs of my friends.  Today I own a Nak CR7-A and a Nak BX-300, both beautifully rebuilt by Willy Hermann.  Tapes recorded literally 40+ years ago and certainly the ones recorded in the late ‘80s thru today on metal tapes sound fabulous.  Not quite as good as vinyl but awfully darn good.  Case in point...I recently recorded 40+ of the Blue Note Jazz reissues (many at 45 RPM) that sound great on metal tapes that were new 30+ years ago.  No way I would invest the $ to buy all the vinyl but still enjoy via recording my friend’s collection.  With 1000+ cassettes and 3000+ LPs, I am very content.  

Head alignment was also critical which is why the "auto reverse" feature was often avoided by many.  Nakamichi introduced an auto reverse machine that thay called a "uni-directional auto reverse".  The playback head was fixed but the machine actually pulled the tape out of the deck, flipped it, and reinserted the tape.  The top of the line Dragon deck from Nakamichi electronically aligned the heads.  It was always important in top performers to have the record and playback heads independent.  The listener could then, with the push of a button, compare the tape recording to the original input signal.  

From roughly the early 50's to the mid/late 60's, RtR tape sources delivered the highest fidelity possible for a home listener.   The average home hifi system was of mediocre or worse quality for a long time.  LPs were compromised to ensure playback on the average home record player.  Most people aspired to a large console, with decidedly low quality components.   It was only when the masses began to embrace higher quality home equipment did the average person begin to have the ability to create playback system that was better than RtR.   Cassette offered convenience, but it was never a serious rival for the best one could have.   It was inferior to LP and certainly to RtR.

I listened to records then eventually CD's in the 70's then 80's. Back then I taped to gain portability or reduce wear on my records. I did not have the best tape equipment. Life started early with a simple Pioneer CT-F650 then a Denon DR-M2 then a Sony TC-K870ES before leaving audio for 20 years.

Now I have all sorts of sources including 75 cassette decks I have collected and restored. I truly did not know what a humble cassette tape could do until I got back into them starting 4 years ago. I have some of the best decks ever made by most manufacturers. I get a great deal of enjoyment from them. It saddens me so many make blanket statements about a format based on limited experience. I myself did truly not know until I experienced better. It was a revelation. I use cassette tapes a lot today... along with CD's, Records, SACD's and digital files. I even have a box of 8-tracks somewhere I have not listened to in 40 years. I realize I am probably an extreme case for cassettes just as others have invested more in vinyl, digital or reel tape front ends. Its all ok. I am enjoying the journey.