Brian, with so many records and albums, it is not economically feasible to pay someone with more sophisticated equipment to do these conversions.

However, the reel-to-reel tapes are another story. They are the masters, the original tapes from the original recording dates. I've been told by people in the business to never get rid of them. However, they are getting old and that format is subject to deterioration. I'm presently working on getting someone to digitize them for me.

In a recent ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)publication, I saw an article on the newest tech items available for music. One was a turntable that will convert your old records directly to your IPod -- it was about $450. It would take out the squeaks, scratchy noises, etc. that are common to the old records. It sounds more sophisticated than the one I bought. I haven't tried out the one I bought yet. I have no idea if I wil like the quality of it or not. But I've got to do something with these old records.

After I transfer them, I'm going to try selling the records on ebay. (Maybe I'll make enough money to have the reel-to-reel tapes transferred -- just kidding.)