Why do people like reel to reel players?

Let’s face it. Back in "the day" having a cool R2R at home was just about as good as it gets. It represented a perfect storm of the convergence of multiple sensory perceptions that, literally, pegged the needle on the "Wow" meter.

We were all ’ga ga" over our turntables. Watching the tonearm predictably descend while we rushed back to our favorite listening position and became seated at the precise moment the music started was mind-blowing, even without elevated enhancement "accessories". Then, something magical appeared. The technology to record our favorite tracks, albums (even borrowed ones) and have them play in the exact order we wanted, without close supervision in OUR listening room was glorious. Cassette often gets credit for the production of "mix tapes", but it actually started with R2R. (Just a little more difficult to take them with you). The sound quality was indistinguishable (well, close enough) to the vinyl "original" and prerecorded tapes were available for purchase.

R2R represented the ultimate in the analog experience with an abundance of kinetic energy. Reels turning. Big meters jumping. And, oh, when we pulled those levers, pushed the buttons, threaded the tapes, WE were in charge of everything connected to the experience. WE got to be the dude (and dudess) in control of the "master" tape, honorary music producers in our own right.

It was empowering. Duplicating that experience today on ANY level is a tough act to follow.

They look really cool and I love all 8 or mine. I don't really listen to them to be honest but they look good sitting on the rack.

The first time I heard one, I knew it was something special.  More space between the notes etc. Yet expensive and impractical.  And very small selection of titles. So I passed on it.

I have a TEAC X-1000BL deck that I've had since new. I have a modest collection of prerecorded tapes (rock) and I have dubbed several box sets and albums of classical music to 10" tapes. This machine is selling for more than I paid for it (not adjusted for inflation) so it's interesting to see this format come back.

Even though I don't listen to it very often I love the look of it and I can't bear to sell it. Regarding the SQ of the prerecorded tapes, the 7.5 ips tapes sound much better than the 3.75 ips tapes. However, there is noticable hiss and the quality of the sound is so-so compared to a CD. In my experience a 7.5 ips prerecorded tape is about as good as a quality vinyl pressing of the same title. I have a high end digital rig and to my ears neither vinyl or tape can beat a CD.

My deck has DBX noise reduction and it can use high bias tapes like Maxell XLII. I have a Burwen Transient Noise Eliminator (removes the ticks and pops) that I used when recording the vinyl albums and the result is amazing. The taped album is virtually a perfect copy of the record without the ticks and pops.

Using a R2R is somewhat like playing vinyl in that there is a ritual to getting it set up and you get the satisfaction of seeing a finely built machine in motion. I have heard several 15 ips machines at audio shows and I would love to have one but I can't justify the expense. But once in a while it's fun to put on a Led Zeppelin tape or listen to Beethoven's 9 symphonies without having to flip all those records over.

The top end is rolled off, and of course the noise floor is much higher

@mulveling That Pioneer is pretty nice- and has bandwidth to 28KHz. It shouldn't sound rolled off! If it does, you might want to look at the heads and see if they are worn. If not too badly worn, they can be lapped, restoring both bandwidth and noise floor.

If the heads have not been degaussed the machine can sound noisy and rolled off as well- at the cost of slowly erasing the high end of your tapes! So degauss the heads if you've not already done so.

If it still sounds rolled off, your tapes aren't up to snuff or the machine might need the electronics refurbished (new filter caps and the like).

Tape is the source of many LPs so LPs shouldn't sound like they have any more bandwidth (although the LP media does- typically to 40KHz).