re: What “obsolete” tech should make a comeback?

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Open reel tape recorders should come back.

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They are making a niche comeback though only one manufacturer makes new ones now and the Ballfinger decks run from about $11k to $30k.



Used ones are starting to bring a premium, especially the Otari and Technics decks. I should say all of them are bringing a premium because with pre-recorded tapes at ~$200 a pop and very limited in diversity the people buying them are willing to pay serious money for a quilty R2R in great shape.

I don't see a vinyl level revival ever happening but if you are interested in going the Marsellus Wallace route for your analog front end the option is there. One thing R2R is missing that vinyl has (outside legacy and new releases) is that turntables are a gear sluts dream. You can spend anywhere from $200 to over $500,000 on a turntable/tonearm and cartridge then tweak and accessorize for the rest of your life.