Should You Buy an Open Reel to Reel Tape Deck — And If Yes, Which One?

An Audiophile Reality Check in the Age of Streaming

In an era where vinyl has returned from the dead, open reel-to-reel tape is now enjoying something even rarer. A resurrection from near-extinction into the upper echelons of audiophile obsession.

And perhaps for this reason Analog Soundware has been recently inundated with the question: “Should I buy an open reel-to-reel tape deck — and if yes, could ASW recommend one?’’

For us at ASW there are few sights in high-end audio as hypnotic as two 10.5-inch reels turning in perfect silence — the physical embodiment of signal purity. It is sound made visible.

So the question many audiophiles are asking in 2026 is no longer “Is open-reel better than digital?” — most serious listeners who have heard a properly set-up 15 ips half-track master tape already know the answer. The real questions are:

•   Is open-reel worth it for me right now?

•   If yes, which machine should I buy in today’s market?

So, is owning a reel-to-reel deck in 2026 a romantic indulgence — or a genuinely worthwhile sonic upgrade?

The answer is not as simple as “yes” or “no.” Reel to Reel is the most seductive format in audio, but also the most demanding. To help you decide, ASW will walk through the romance, the reality, and the recommendations.

The Romance: Why open reel-to-reel tape deck still matters

1. The Sound — the closest you’ll get to the master

A great tape played on a great deck has a presence that borders on uncanny. At 15 or 30 ips, tape captures transient detail, dynamic nuance, and spatial realism with an ease that even high‑resolution digital rarely matches. There’s a density to the midrange, a liquidity to the treble, and a sense of “there-ness” that feels almost tactile.

When you hear a well‑made tape dub, you understand instantly why studios clung to the format for so long.

2. The Ritual — a slower, more intentional way of listening

Threading tape is not a chore; it’s a ceremony. You slow down. You focus. You prepare the room. You engage with the music before it even begins.

In a world of instant everything, Reel-to-Reel is defiantly, beautifully, deliberate.

3. The Object — industrial art at its finest

A reel deck is a kinetic sculpture. It’s the Leica of audio. The Rolex mechanical chronograph of playback.

Owning one is as much about the object as the sound.

4. The Revival — yes, it’s real

New tape is being manufactured. Boutique companies are building new decks. Labels are releasing tape editions again.

This is no longer a museum hobby — it’s a living, breathing niche.

The Reality: What you need to know before you buy

Reel‑to‑reel is magical, but it is not forgiving. Reel‑to‑reel is not plug-and-play nostalgia.

1. Maintenance is part of the deal

Maintenance is intensive and expensive. Heads wear. Motors drift. Pinch rollers harden. Vintage decks need service — sometimes immediately. Reel‑to‑reels are entirely analog (no firmware updates to save you). And unlike turntables, most reel-to-reel decks you can buy today are 40-50 years old.

If you’re allergic to calibration, this is not your format.

2. Tape is expensive

A single new reel can cost more than a premium vinyl box set. Master tape copies can run from €150 to €500 per album.

3. These machines are big, heavy, and serious

A Studer A810 weighs about as much as a small child. A Technics RS‑1500 is deep enough to require real furniture.

4. Not all decks are equal

Some are studio workhorses. Some are consumer toys. Some are money pits.

Knowing the difference matters.

So… should you buy one?

You probably should, if

✔ Your system already sits comfortably in the €10k+ range

✔ You enjoy calibration and mechanical engineering

✔ You own vinyl and want something objectively closer to the master tape

✔ You listen attentively (not casually)

You probably shouldn’t, if

✖ You expect plug-and-play convenience

✖ Your rack space is limited

✖ You primarily stream music

✖ You want background listening

Reel to reel is not lifestyle audio. It is ritual audio.

If you’re still reading, you’re probably in the “yes” camp.

The Recommendations: Which deck should you buy?

Let’s break it down by budget, temperament, and ambition.

1. Entry level (under €2,000)

For the curious newcomer.

Best choices:

•         Revox B77

•         Revox A77 (Mk III or IV)

•         TEAC A‑3300SX / A‑3440

Why: These machines are reliable, well‑documented, and widely serviced. Revox decks in particular are the perfect introduction: musical, elegant, and surprisingly robust.

Caution: Most will need servicing unless already restored.

2. Mid‑tier vintage (€2,000–€6,000)

For the serious listener.

Best choices:

•         Studer A810

•         Otari MX‑5050 BII

•         Technics RS‑1500 / RS‑1520

Why: These are studio‑grade transports with superb engineering. The Studer A810 is a benchmark: stable, precise, and built like a Swiss instrument.

Caution: Shipping one is a logistical event.

3. High‑end vintage (€6,000–€12,000)

For the collector and connoisseur.

Best choices:

•         Studer A820

•         Ampex ATR‑102

•         Nagra T‑Audio

Why: These are the finest tape machines ever built. Their transports are astonishingly smooth, and their electronics are reference‑grade.

Caution: Servicing requires specialists. Ownership is a commitment.

4. Modern boutique decks (€10,000–€30,000+)

For those who want a new machine with modern reliability.

Best choices:

•         Analog Audio Design TP‑1000

•         Ballfinger M 063

•         Metaxas & Sins GQT

•         AuralForge AF‑1 (fictional but representative of the new wave)

Why: These decks offer the closest thing to “buy it, use it, enjoy it” in the reel‑to‑reel world. Modern motors, new electronics, and contemporary design make them far more reliable than vintage machines.

Caution: Price. But you’re paying for craftsmanship and longevity.

The final word

Buying a reel‑to‑reel deck is not a rational decision. It’s an emotional one — and that’s exactly why it’s worth considering.

However, remember that reel-to-reel tape is not the next vinyl revival.

It is something else entirely:

•         More demanding

•         More expensive

•         Less convenient

But if you crave:

•         the tactile beauty of analog

•         the highest possible fidelity

•         the ritual of threading tape

•         the satisfaction of owning a mechanical masterpiece

…then yes, you absolutely should buy a reel‑to‑reel deck.

Just choose wisely, buy from reputable restorers, and treat the machine with the respect it deserves.

Reel‑to‑reel isn’t for everyone. But for the right listener, it’s the most rewarding format in all of audio. For the committed audiophile, a reel-to-reel deck is not a curiosity. It is the endgame.

In the next article ASW will explore a buyer’s reel-to-reel checklist.