Stew,
Here's what us "serious 'philes" used to do if someone had a RTR:
When you got a new LP, make sure it gets a good cleaning (yes, even a brand-new, unplayed album can be dirty), clean the stylus, and of course make sure that the turntable is optimized.
Then make sure the heads, capstans, and rollers, etc. are clean and demagnetized on the RTR, get the best tape you could find, and make a nice clean recording of your new album before any scratches or noise set in. Remember - on the first few plays, the LP gives its best high frequency response. :yes:
That way, you could play the tape as your every day copy, still not have any loss in sound quality, and you wouldn't be wearing out the new LP. If/when the RTR copy ever became too worn, you just make another copy from your 'still new' LP!
Worked for us! :nerd:
Plus, like Reel 2 Reel said above, with audio, it's all about the pain & suffering!