It's interesting that old audio equipment is making a revival. Tape decks have become the norm for new stereo equipment for a while now. I have never been convinced by cassette quality, we bought them because they were cheaper than CDs and more convenient. I thought audiobooks on cassette sounded clearer and crispier than cassette album's. Walkmans drained batteries very quickly.

Reel to reel used to get jammed from memory. I know there is a very niche market for the RCA videodisc but they stylus for the players and no longer manufactured. There is a market I Laserdiscs which surprises me but I guess people want original cuts of Star Wars.


www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyjvn658n6o

What age were you when you got your first tape recorder/player? Mine was 10th birthday, when I had no tapes of my own to play on it! So I had to keep borrowing a couple of my parents ones, one I kept playing at the time was Cliff's 40 Golden Greats, which I almost immediately got completely chewed up in the new machine, was so worried by what happened that I hid it for months until they wanted it and I was discovered.

I think my first cassette player was like a toy one with clunky buttons. However, it did the job. My first cassettes I got as a kid was the Anthology Jan & Dean and CCR hits compliations.

I have no idea why parents bought me that, but I am glad they did.

My parents had Kinks, The Beatles and Beach Boys on reel to reel. i wish they kept those as they are worth a bit now.