Nothing sounds quite like actual magnetic tape echo like the venerable Echoplex from the '60s. However, memories usually sour when you consider the practical aspects of head cleaning, tape wear/breakage or that old unit's noise and unreliability. The RTE-3000 has great vintage sound and tone but with many updates that make using tape echo feasible in these digital times. The 3000 has a automatic motor shut-off circuit that detects no signal present and not only stops the tape loop but shuts the motor down for increase motor, head and loop life. Guyatone says that the tape loop should last up to five years...not to mention the heads.