In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
Dave. 99.99% of people (and I include your good self in
this figu-) have no possibility of "copying" (your term)
a CD to LP, so interesting as your hypothesis may be,
you have no means of proving it. So near, but so far:-)

You must have a very powerful crystal ball if you know what I have and
haven't done.

No one is denying the potential superiority of CD over vinyl
as a reproducing medium, but so many people prefer "the
musical experience" from vinyl, and I can illustrate why this
should be.

I can guess what's coming...

I am sure you will recall there was a rare sealed Decca
pressing of a Beatles LP on the Parlophone label sold for
close on GBP 700 just a while back. The proud new
owner turned out to be a well known Swedish musician/author.
He took the pressing to a CD mastering company which I
frequent to have it transcribed to CD. I was delighted to be
involved..

The pressing, apart from a few ticks and pops on the inner bands,
was pristine. A reference CD was made for his private use only.

Just as you surmised, the two were indistinguishable from each other.
Then, some bright spark got the idea of comparing our "reference
CD" with the commercially released version

What a surprise! The CD had a dynamic range some 6dB
less than the LP. There was clear evidence of Smiley at work
with and excess of both LF and HF, unpleasant compression
and detectable clipping.

This is perhaps the reason why a mint sealed pressing sells for
close to GBP700 while the CD can be had from any second
hand shop for Euro 2.

Which proves nothing - except that people in the record industry are
capable of ruining a 'good thing'. Now remind me of what industry you work
in...;-)


The potential of the CD is vastly superior to the vinyl pressing,
(though only marginally better than the 14 inch lacquer from
which the metalwork for vinyl pressing is made) and yet in so
many cases the latter is preferred by discerning people who
can hear the difference. If you are not one of these, then
buy the CD. You can save yourself a lot of money:-)

So you're saying all vinyl is perfect and never ruined by bad mastering,
because that's what you're on about - not CD verses vinyl? If so, you
weren't around much when vinyl was common - or had never heard a master
tape. Which seems strange given your claims.


That you choose to ignore this most fundamental of flaws means you're
really not worth trying to educate over other matters like horn
colouration, break up of cones with full range drivers, etc etc.

A bit presumptuous, Dave:-) Some might wonder whether a TV
sound recordist should be trying to "educate" someone
like Keith on those subjects.

Err, and you presume to know more? How very pretentious of you. Broadcast
sound involves pretty well all the disciplines. Far more than simple music
recording.

Let Lowther, JBL and Altec do the educating if required They have
highly qualified people in R+D who really know the subject. They also
organise excellent demos, lectures and workshops.

But they don't read this newsgroup.

I'm happy that you enjoy your hobby and certainly that you make so
much of your own bits and bobs, but when your flowery descriptions of
just how much improved the latest one is over last weeks delight read
like the very worst excesses of the Hi-Fi press. That made most
genuine sound enthusiasts simply stop buying them.

Keith is one of the few on this group for whom audio is a "hands on"
hobby - in contrast to those who prefer to sit in their armchairs
and patronise.

Is this what you do?

The best way to learn about speakers, amps etc is to build some, listen,
compare, draw your conclusions and take the next step.

Then it would seem he has a long journey ahead. And you too if you, it
would seem.

That, as I see it, is exactly what Keith is doing. He seems to be
enjoying, and learning from, the experience.It requires a
high level of motivation, and interest, which many people, even the
most capable, seem to lack.

Are you referring to me? FWIW I have lots of home built equipment.

I know from e-mail outside this group that many who read but do not
subscribe, are very interested in his down to earth approach, and
his findings.

These shadowy types again. If they want to read but not contribute let
them buy a mag. It's a very selfish attitude.

Without his threads, this NG would be a poorer place.

Might be. But then you too are but an occasional visitor. And of course
entitled to your opinion. If only you didn't try to be so damn patronising.

--
*Most people have more than the average number of legs*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.