We love analog reel-to-reel tape recorders and use them regularly to convert old reel-to-reels to audio CD.

I recently came across this SynthGear blog post that contains an old advertisement for a Sony TC-377: 1973 Ad for Sony Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck. (Editor: we are sorry, this link no longer works.)  Some of the text reads: This could be the tape deck you’ll leave your great-grandson.  This is a classic ad because, indeed, I think many people have done just that; not just with the TC-377, but with all different types of analog reel-to-reel tape recorders.

A customer recently sent us this picture of her Sony TC-558.

A customer's old reel-to-reel recorder

Here’s a picture of one of our own: a Teac X-3R.

Old reel-to-reel for converting to CD

Why are these passed down from generation to generation, and say, cassette decks are not?  Is it purely looks, frequency response or some tactile fascination?  I hope you will help us answer this question in our comments below.

If you have an old reel-to-reel tape machine, feel free to post a picture of it to our Facebook Wall.  We’d love to see it and hear how you came into possession of it.  Or send it to us via Twitter.

If you are interested in our nationwide reel-to-reel format conversion services in Colorado Springs and Denver, please see our website for more info.