What makes tape sound better than vinyl ?

With tape everything stays within the domain of electromagnetic energy, with vinyl there is a conversion of mechanical energy. Do you think nothing is altered in the conversion ?
We really need tape and vinyl experts here. Maybe we should invite Walter Davis of LAST and others I don't know who to clarify it all and explain in more or less plain English.

@inna not sure I go along with you 100% on your detective work. The reason I say that is tape is a magnetic medium inasmuch as the tape stores information magnetically, not electromagnetically. And the tape head reads the information on the tape magnetically, not electromagnetically. Obviously somewhere along the line the information is converted to an electromagnetic signal for output to headphones or speakers, like any other medium. Digital is optical to electromagnetic signal. Vinyl is mechanical/magnetic to electromagnetic signal.

There was a long intelligent discussion by people who actually owned reel to reel decks and were still using them. The OP was handyman 05-26-2010 9:02pm. You can find facts about the reels those people owned.

Yes, Orpheus10, I read that discussion when it was current.

Inna, when I bought my Technics, they were almost giving reels away, and since you have been inquiring they've gone way up. I recommend that you get as current a model as possible; for example if Technics, get a RS 1700, 2 track of course.

They are made to be repaired, mine has never left home, I have the repair manuel.

The Otari I have is 2 piece 4 track; that's for professional work and very complex, not easy to repair.

If you buy one that's not up to spec, there are places that can do that for you quite reasonable.


                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFC-60HvOJM




Here is a fantastic 2 track Otari;



        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cp_Zpdxvuc