Myles is correct, I have been doing everything I can to push commercially available Master Tape copies and R2R machines for the high end audio consumer for many years now. I can tell you that there has surely been progress.
I can also tell you that there will be companies I have "pushed" over the years to issue their library on Master Tape finally doing so in 2014.
The trick as I see it is to do some or all the following.
1.) To get more R2R machines in the hands of audiophiles.
2.) To get more companies to use a business model that works. Like maybe the smaller guys who record up and coming new artists to tape like Ed Pong of UltraAnalogue Recordings or Bob Attayah of Yarlung Records or Jonathan Horwich with International Phonograph, these guys need to be supported. We also need to get Jan-Eric with Opus3 recording again to tape! There are quite a few of similar small recording companies sitting on a bunch of Master Tapes and they need to be pushed to issue tapes, believe me I have contacted them. I have contacted some companies years ago and finally with the new tape movement gaining ground they are now interested, or more seriously considering getting into the tape business.
3.) The group of audiophiles that own decks will need to support the companies selling master tape copies with P-U-R-C-H-A-S-E-S! That is what makes things happen, the money.
4.) If we are true tape guys we need to stand up and start yelling about it! Contact the print magazines and the ezines and make some noise! Get behind those in the press that have heard R2R done right and support their coverage of R2R.
5.) If you see press coverage on R2R at the shows, or on web site reviews and there is the ability to comment on a blog, say something positive about tape! If Stereophile or TAS has 0 customer posts on show reports covering the little DAC thingeys and there are 40 or 50 posts on the R2R coverage there will be notice taken.
6.) We now have companies advertising Master Tape copies for sale in TAS and I can tell you that at CES the TAS guys recognize this effort and said so to me!
Just my 2 cents.
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