R2R comeback a short lived fad?

[JDCheek]

I guess that I should not be surprised to find that the tape deck section hasn’t had a post in a very long time. Thinking that as streaming gets easier, streaming services get better, digital playback just simply rules. I get it. I myself stream more than anything else. I’ve all but stopped vinyl purchases. But, I still get the most enjoyment from R2R playback. Even the pain of changing tapes often because if it’s worth putting on tape, it’s worth 15ips recording.

When I look at the money being spent on Turntables nowadays, I would think there is still room for R2R.

Would loves others thoughts.

[vintage_tube]

Here's my post from 2010 on my Akai GX-400D I purchased in Okinawa in 1974 for $735.00 USD. Still have it today and periodically use it with approx 45 pre-recorded tapes I bought in the day.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/show...highlight=akai

Bob

[Formerly YB-2]

When I last visited VPI, Harry Weisfeld had several hundred tapes of various ilk he was interested in selling. You might contact him thru VPI and see if they are still available.

[cleeds]

If I were starting out in audio today, I'd have no use for tape. While I realize some may differ, I think hi-res digital is better than even the very best tape. And, it's way more practical.

But I've been at this a long time and along the way, I've acquired recordings that are historic, to one extent or another. These are recordings I made over the years and they don't exist elsewhere.

One of my long-term goals remains to transfer those recordings to digital. Until then, the decks get occasional use. They do hearken to an age when tape represented SOTA sound and they do still sound truly fantastic.

[Audiophilehi]

I still listen to R2R on my Otari MX5050B II2 Deck. I love my LP's but my R2R is King!!

[Formerly YB-2]

The latest 'Stereophile' has an article about MRL shutting down at the end of this month. They supplied nearly all of the 'standard' tapes for the manufacture/alignment/calibration of tape heads. Doesn't seem to be a replacement. We may be facing a 'digital' world in the future if no other business is able to provide the needed calibration tapes.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

The latest 'Stereophile' has an article about MRL shutting down at the end of this month. They supplied nearly all of the 'standard' tapes for the manufacture/alignment/calibration of tape heads. Doesn't seem to be a replacement ...

Since Stereophile published that article, MRL has been sold. Some detail is on its website:

"We are pleased to announce that MRL will be remaining open for business. We will have new offices, and new leadership, with MRL engineer Jeff McKnight taking on the role of Interim CEO ... "

[Formerly YB-2]

That's good news for us "analog-heads" if the new owners can keep it running.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by cleeds

Since Stereophile published that article, MRL has been sold. Some detail is on its website:

"We are pleased to announce that MRL will be remaining open for business. We will have new offices, and new leadership, with MRL engineer Jeff McKnight taking on the role of Interim CEO ... "

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

That's good news for us "analog-heads" if the new owners can keep it running.

I'm glad that MRL will continue in business. We all know tape is truly a legacy medium, but I still love playing my open reel tapes and recording LP's that are "tape worthy."

[Maks]

I still see a lot of RtR activity in the tape circles; the quality, rebuilt consumer machines seem to go quickly when they are for sale. For me it's more of a space issue right now why I don't get into the format, so I'll keep on taping to my lowly cassettes.