Reel to Reel Tape Decks

If you want to dabble in it, start with 1/4", Technics are all great, 1500, 1506 and the 1700 are great decks, the difference is 2 vs. 4 track and auto reverse, a Tandberg in good condition you cannot go wrong with, Otari makes a good deck, but I would not start with that deck unless you know that you r2r is want you want to get into. They do make plenty of 1" decks, but they are not 2 track, they are all multi track and unless you plan on doing mixing, etc, are way beyond what you need. As previously suggested, I would look on the vingage r2r site from Texas, he is very knowledgable and helpful. You can ask him questions directly, he monitors the r2r forum on audiokarmha forums.

Travis

Thanks Travis,
I can find Technics decks here in Tokyo relatively easily. What do they go for in the US?

Travis (aka T_Bone)

A technics 1700, which is 4 track, high speed, auto reverse will go for $1,000 to $1,500. What do they go for there?

T-Bone,
Another forum site with a good deal of Reel to Reel threads is over at AudioKarma.org. One knowledgeable fellow is a guy named Goldear - track down his threads - and they'll lead to others.
I've been playing RtRs for 40 years, and many 2-track pre-records have stunning sound. Just this year a company has revived operations in an old BASF plant in New Jersey and is producing top quality Reel to Reel media stock - ostensibly for for non-digital, archival purposes, but great news form the rest of us.
- Mario