The dangerous world of Reel-to-Reel Tape

When I went off to college in the early 90s my dad decided to update his hi-fi system and gave me his rack of "separates" which included an Onkyo receiver, graphic EQ, tape deck, technics turntable, and Sony 5 CD changer, and a Sony R2R.  I lived with 4 other guys with eclectic musical tastes so I would make a 3 hr mix tape on the R2R and then we would just let that thing run. No one at college was very familiar with R2R so it was like a vintage UFO landing in the living room for some people. The SQ was great and I loved everything about it but finding blank tape reels was (despite cassette tapes being big at the time) a challenge so I reused my minuscule stash for the 4 years of college party mixes and eventually the Sony R2R was traded in with the rest of those separates to a shop in Boulder, CO called Second Sound when I opted to upgrade after graduating. 

Sometimes I think about getting a new-to-me R2R but I'm not sure I would get much use out of it these days other than as hi-fi shelf candy and conversation starter for visitors. 

@mikelavigne 

Nice that we agree on something. I do not expect I will use the Nagra for anything but display.

I do not have any recent experience with tape machines. I did at one time own a Revox A77. However the outlet I was affiliated with did live recordings of classical and folk music with a Studer deck which I had loads of experience with and we used an HQD system to play the recordings back. Some of them were actually released. From a sonic perspective at the time you could do no better. A good digital recording on my current system is superior in every way. There is far less distortion and and superior bass. The biggest problem with modern digital recordings is the compression used which SUCKS. This is the main reason I like certain older vinyl recordings better and this might make certain prerecorded tapes better. But, with identical uncompressed recordings digital will win every time unless you like listening to distortion which many people do. Unfortunately, that distortion also produces a less vivid image. 

I am very comfortable with this assessment to the point where I have no plans to purchase another tape machine. The value in it is awful and I would rather spend the money on music. The best of them are wonderful machines but like Idler turntables are a thing of the past and IMHO belong in museums. On the other hand I drive an old 911 which in no way can keep up with a modern 911, but it has way more character and is much more fun to drive. So, I understand the attraction to old tape machines. If that is your thing and you have the room, Enjoy. He who dies with the most machines wins!

thanks @mijostyn for the response.

it’s a huge effort these days to have a top tape deck and acquire the proper media, and few have the commitment to do it. but it does deliver fully.

it’s kind of a crazy thing, to be honest about it.

dabbling in more consumer or broadcast/prosumer decks is not the same as a fully sorted master recorder either. and then there are hot rodded master recorders, and then ones with the best possible output electronics....the MR-70. so it takes alot to touch the stars with tape. but it’s awesome.

the air cooled 911’s don’t make sense either, but i get that fully. although i did the 16’ CS2 thing myself in my Porsche phase a few years ago. i smiled every time i sat down in it.

As I'm getting older I appreciate convenience whenever possible.  This is also true regarding audio, where I stream most of my music.. However,  I still enjoy listening to my Nakamichi ZX7 from time to time.  It produces far more distortion than my digital sources, yet still sounds good after 40 years.   I used to own a Revox B77 Mark II and before that a Revox A77.  Both were great sounding decks, but I sold the A77 because it was not very reliable. The B77 on the other hand was very reliable.   IMHO there's something enjoyable about handling physical media that is absent with streaming technology.  So I enjoy the best of both worlds by using both technologies. 

how long do recorded magnetic tapes (here: R2R, but also 8 track, cassette, VHS, etc) LAST before they loose their information?

@kraftwerkturbo That depends on storage. They need to be stored in a low humidity environment to prevent shedding of the oxide on which the recording exists. It that is done the tape will last decades with ease.

For this reason its better to store tapes in an attic rather than a basement! Its also a good idea to store the tape in a plastic bag in its box, along with a packet of Silica Gel.