Magnetic tape device and magnetic reproducing method employing TMR head and magnetic tape having characterized magnetic layer

A magnetic reproducing method comprising:

• reproducing information, recorded on a magnetic tape, by a reproducing head,
• wherein the reproducing head is a magnetic head including a tunnel magnetoresistance effect type element as a reproducing element,
• the magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder, a binding agent, and fatty acid ester on the non-magnetic support,
• a full width at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding a surface of the magnetic layer before performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm,
• a full width at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer after performing the vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm, and
• a difference (Safter-Sbefore) between a spacing Safter measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer after performing the vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape and a spacing Sbefore measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer before performing the vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 9.0 nm.