Okay, lets not go hyperbolic here. I'm using my MobilePre and a good used Sony S deck from the flea market that cost me $30.31 with tax (I have the receipt) and getting great results. There is very little room left for improvement so no need for a rebuilt Nakamichi Dragon or $800 interface. The cost is only a little more, it's not any harder to do and the results are way better than what I'd get with an all-in-one solution.
The ION Tape Express is clearly a cheap product with limited potential for decent sound that's not meant for people interested in quality. The Tape 2 model looks better but only has a generic "Noise Reduction" option that can't possibly do justice to any real collection of tapes. Both appear, based on features and pricing, to be aimed at people who value convenience over quality, not someone who wants "the clearest possible reproduction" into a "lossless format", to quote the OP.
Adjusting azimuth takes a little knowledge, a good ear and less than a minute per tape. It is low effort and makes a big difference.
