In article ,
David Looser wrote:
Some audiophiles do get vigorously exercised about the sound quality
of recordings, hence lists of super discs or records to die for, etc
as well as endless discussions on various forums.

That's a different matter. The actual making of vinyl - after the
studio part - had a vast influence on the quality. Assuming a level
playing field on the master tapes.


I don't think there is a level playing field on master tapes, hence my
original comment. But I don't suggest the difference between superb and
mediocre recordings has much to do with the make of audio cable used in
the studio! Perhaps the skills of those involved makes rather more
difference.

Oh indeed. But it's a relatively simple matter to make a CD which is in
effect a clone of the master. You can't always do this with vinyl - some
material can't just be transferred direct. And even where it can, the
process of making the LP is variable.

--
*Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt.

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

In article ,
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

In article ,
MiNe 109 wrote:
Some form of control fetish? As if a few feet of cable in your system
influences the sound in a way the 'miles' used in any recording between
mics and mixer don't.

It would explain why some studios advertise the brands of wires they use
no matter if they believe it makes a difference or not.

There will always be some who try to get business by appealing to the
naive.

Since the wire companies probably sponsor the installation in some way
in return for publicity, there's no downside. Even brand-name wire does
the job in most cases.

Some audiophiles do get vigorously exercised about the sound quality of
recordings, hence lists of super discs or records to die for, etc as
well as endless discussions on various forums.

That's a different matter. The actual making of vinyl - after the studio
part - had a vast influence on the quality. Assuming a level playing field
on the master tapes.

I'd presume a 'super disc' started with a super recording. Of course,
the comparisons of masterings found in places like the Steve Hoffman
forum include speculation of whether the master tapes were actually used
or not.

Stephen

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"dc" wrote in message
...

{snip}


High Dave, nice to see a new poster here, even if you couldn't have come
up
with a less common name ;-)

Well thanks for the welcome - I have been reading along for several years,
mostly enjoying the eclectic "morning tea" discussions.

The great unmentionable topic on audio groups, ISTM, is the quality of
commercial recording. As you've mentioned some recordings are
extraordinarily good, but many are mediocre and some downright poor. I've
always wondered why "audiophiles" will spend so much time, effort, and
money
on trying to choose the "best-sounding" cables or whatever, but hardly
ever
get exercised by the poor quality of so many of the available recordings.

David.


Yes I agree. A modest system, well placed in its environment often exposes
recording issues or mixing decisions, changing a cable, at least in my
experience, much more subtle. I suspect that "decent sound" might mean
different things to the ipod generation. My experience from my children's
friends, is that once they have heard "decent sound" they learn to tell the
difference. In several cases I feel slightly responsible for starting them
on the treadmill to a better system!

Dave
Christchurch
New Zealand

"David Looser" wrote


This may be similar to the preference for "vinyl artefacts" in some
quarters, if you are used to the presence of such artefacts you may regard
their absence as a reduction, rather than an increase, in sound quality.


It is true that most CDs that have a 'twin' LP sound 'sterile' and lifeless
by comparison....

"Bob Latham" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:

For a technical interview I'd tend to expect them to start asking 'easy'
questions they think you'll know from your stated education and then work
up until the 'point of uncertainty', guided by your answers. So in Bob's
case I wonder if some previous comment he made prompted them to ask about
the topic of classes of amp to find out how much he knew.

The first question he asked me was "do you have any hobbies". I answered
that I liked building amplifiers. So yes he was acting on my first answer.
At that time, PO telephones were big on people with hobbies.

Years later we became friends and my wife and I got to know his family
quite well. He had huge Tonnoy corner speakers and a home made amp. I was
lucky to have someone interview me who had similar interests.

Coincidentally, he was an EE and introduced me to Vaughan Williams. He
died about 5 years ago and I don't think he was ever convinced by CD.


I'm in good company then - they have never *done it* for me, either....

"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote


This may be similar to the preference for "vinyl artefacts" in some
quarters, if you are used to the presence of such artefacts you may
regard their absence as a reduction, rather than an increase, in sound
quality.


It is true that most CDs that have a 'twin' LP sound 'sterile' and
lifeless by comparison....


And do you like the artefacts of data compression just as much?

David.

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote


This may be similar to the preference for "vinyl artefacts" in some
quarters, if you are used to the presence of such artefacts you may
regard their absence as a reduction, rather than an increase, in sound
quality.


It is true that most CDs that have a 'twin' LP sound 'sterile' and
lifeless by comparison....


And do you like the artefacts of data compression just as much?


My 18,000 or so MP3s are (mostly) at 256K. Here are two clips I posted and
asked 'which, if any, sounds the best?' without reply:

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileOne.wav

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileTwo.wav


The thing is one is from a vinyl recording and one is from the CD and they
are both 256K MP3s saved as Wavs. Unless it's me, I can't tell them
apart.,,??

The 'artifacts' you and your kind go on about *ad nause* simply don't exist
to the degree that they impinge on the music excepting, of course, the odd
crackle and pop which frankly doesn't bother me. If it helps you understand:
I find the noise the needle makes when it goes down on the record most
inviting and I find it enhances the anticipation! ;-)

In article ,
MiNe 109 wrote:
That's a different matter. The actual making of vinyl - after the
studio part - had a vast influence on the quality. Assuming a level
playing field on the master tapes.

I'd presume a 'super disc' started with a super recording. Of course,
the comparisons of masterings found in places like the Steve Hoffman
forum include speculation of whether the master tapes were actually used
or not.

In analogue days, the very best sounding vinyl was straight to disc. Once
digital recording arrived, some who specialised in direct to disc used
that - with some relief, I'd guess. ;-)

--
*Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life *

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

"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote


This may be similar to the preference for "vinyl artefacts" in some
quarters, if you are used to the presence of such artefacts you may
regard their absence as a reduction, rather than an increase, in sound
quality.


It is true that most CDs that have a 'twin' LP sound 'sterile' and
lifeless by comparison....


And do you like the artefacts of data compression just as much?


My 18,000 or so MP3s are (mostly) at 256K. Here are two clips I posted and
asked 'which, if any, sounds the best?' without reply:

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileOne.wav

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileTwo.wav


Actually you asked "which was the CD and which the LP", not "'which, if any,
sounds the best?"

There was very little to choose between them. I thought maybe FileOne was
from the CD only because it had less noise in the 'silent' portion at the
end. The sound was poor on both.

The thing is one is from a vinyl recording and one is from the CD and they
are both 256K MP3s saved as Wavs. Unless it's me, I can't tell them
apart.,,??

If you can't tell them apart how come "CDs sound sterile"?

The 'artifacts' you and your kind go on about *ad nause* simply don't
exist to the degree that they impinge on the music excepting,

Which is it: either "CDs sound sterile", or "artifacts simply don't exist"?
It's make your mind up time!

David.

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"David Looser" wrote


This may be similar to the preference for "vinyl artefacts" in some
quarters, if you are used to the presence of such artefacts you may
regard their absence as a reduction, rather than an increase, in sound
quality.


It is true that most CDs that have a 'twin' LP sound 'sterile' and
lifeless by comparison....


And do you like the artefacts of data compression just as much?


My 18,000 or so MP3s are (mostly) at 256K. Here are two clips I posted
and asked 'which, if any, sounds the best?' without reply:

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileOne.wav

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/showntell/FileTwo.wav


Actually you asked "which was the CD and which the LP", not "'which, if
any, sounds the best?"


OK, maybe I did.



There was very little to choose between them. I thought maybe FileOne was
from the CD only because it had less noise in the 'silent' portion at the
end. The sound was poor on both.

The thing is one is from a vinyl recording and one is from the CD and
they are both 256K MP3s saved as Wavs. Unless it's me, I can't tell them
apart.,,??

If you can't tell them apart how come "CDs sound sterile"?


Same way as 'LPs have artefacts'.



The 'artifacts' you and your kind go on about *ad nause* simply don't
exist to the degree that they impinge on the music excepting,

Which is it: either "CDs sound sterile", or "artifacts simply don't
exist"?


Love the way you learned the 'judicious snipping game' - most impressive!
Who was your rôle model - Arny?

:-)


It's make your mind up time!


Ooh, such pressure!

Umm...

Errr...

OK, it's gotta be CDs sound sterile.