RMGI having no competition is bad for everyone.
Yeah...there is ATR Magnetics, but their tape is all, like, what...+10? +11? And then you're right back to Daniel's point about the majority of the decks operating out here are built around the +3 and +6 formulations. *sigh* Its a marketing thing...more is better...rrrrite??
Just a little side note, I spoke to Mike Spitz and he told me he actually prefers the ATR tape set for a +6 operating level. He's a fan of keeping all the transients intact.
I've heard it said that the higher the output, the more abrasive the tape becomes. I don't know why. There have been raging arguments about whether it's true and what the mechanism is, here and in other places. Either way I stick with 456 and compatibles - the 499 was a reel that came with the machine, so I used it after discovering that the two reels of 456 that also came with it were Bad Stuff (TM).Interesting Trans..... can anyone independently confirm that? Not knocking your tech just I always like to have multiple sources for my own piece of mind.
Bottom line: use what you want, but understand why you are doing it, and what the pros and cons are. Don't just get hotter tape because its hotter...experiment first with what your deck was designed for...cal it for different levels with that tape.
My 2p.