Small correction: the CD sample rate is 44.1 kHz. A perfectly recorded metal tape (I believe metal tapes are no longer manufactured) in a very high-end deck ca

Small correction: the CD sample rate is 44.1 kHz. A perfectly recorded metal tape (I believe metal tapes are no longer manufactured) in a very high-end deck can maybe reach 20 kHz under optimal conditions. For normal cheap-o ferric tape you're looking at maybe 12-16 kHz. Add in faster than real-time factory dubbing, tape wear, and substandard playback equipment and you're probably usually not even getting 12.