Yes this is only slightly tape related.
I have been having fun listening to vintage HiFi (and not so HiFi) mono records (don't have any mono pre-recorded tapes) through one of a pair of Ampex (that's the tape related part) powered tube speakers. These really sound great for what they are. An 8" JBL driver in a portable case run full range with compensating EQ driven by a built in 10W. amp using 6V6 output tubes. These were built as monitor speakers for Ampex portable tape machines. I am using one (they have a standard RCA line in) to supply amplification for a portable Rek-O-Kut turntable in a case, made for I don't know what. It has their 3 speed Rondine table and a GE arm where only the headshell pivots vertically with a GE variable reluctance magnetic cartridge with Lp and 78 styli and the matching 1 tube preamp with switchable record compensation curves all built in the case with a cover. It was all reasonably good stuff when new. I would say that it still provides pretty good sounding mono audio from vintage mono 78, 45 and Lp records. Not really the same as listening to the same records on modern equipment and in some ways better.