Aloha MartinManiac,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PABO6WrPjFQ
Don't Do It! From mid-60's through 1980, I went through the whole analog tape gamut: from cheap to expensive analog tape players (1/4" to 2"tape) through to the early digital Sony F1's. I was SO HAPPY to leave analog tape behind for all the myriad of good reasons listed by our friends above. Good riddance reel to reel tape HISS, noise reduction & tape players, especially those GD, overrated TEAC POS that got us hooked in the first place. It's a ticket to he11.
The ride aint worth the fare, MartinManiac.
alohachris