The tapes, or the *transcripts* of the tapes?!
Keep in mind that Deep Throat had told Woodstein of the suspicious gaps in the tapes on or before November 7 (story made the November 8 print/delivery run).
You don't get that "gap" from the transcripts, either.
The tapes. Not transcripts. The actual tapes.
It wouldn't take long for investigators to discover any tampering. This was, after all, in the earlier days of technology, and the taping system was rudimentary reel-to-reel. Deep Throat knowing about the gaps in early November fits the timeline nicely, IMO, if he had connections to investigators. Felt would have.
I'm not arguing one way or the other. I watched the whole sorry scandal with fascination and have maintained a keen interest in it through the years. What was shameful then is now history.