While some may argue that the computer, the television, the X-Ray or "other" would qualify as the best machine ever, Chris Shepard from Chicago Recording Studio would beg to differ. He cites the Studer a827 24-track tape machine as the best machine ever.

Chris explains his reasoning here, and it's pretty solid. The tape machine can record normally or in reverse, and that's only one of the time saving features this piece boasts over other tape devices.