[OT] [Shotimes] Premium sound system question

[Donald Mallinson]

Ron,

Nobody will ever really solve the arguments between the 
proponents of traditional audio, as in tube amps and long 
play records or high speed tape, and the proponents of more 
modern audio as in digital and transistors.

BUT, I have NEVER heard any audiophile of ANY type claim 
that even the very best cassettes were of the quality of any 
high end format.

Cassette can be very good, and I still enjoy it in a car 
where background noise and tape flutter don't matter (at 
least while in motion) but it by design can't really compete 
with high speed tape, vinyl records or digital, the 
bandwidth just isn't there.

I have a high quality Sony 1/4 track reel to reel.  The 
quality of 30 year old tapes on that machine is better than 
the best cassettes you can find.

As for Digital/transistor versus vinyl/tubes.  I love my old 
records, and how you have to be "one" with the process by 
cleaning and maintaining the system, but the very best 
records and systems will eventually all get pops and clicks 
from dirt and degradation of sound from wear on the grooves. 
  Nobody has come up with a totally foolproof system yet. 
CD quality is such that any perceived bad effects are in the 
mind.  There have been many true double blind tests where CD 
either wins or there is no true winner over the best analog 
systems.  And many of those that claim vast differences to 
the good for analog refuse to use a true double blind test.

For goodness sakes, there are still people that claim they 
can hear the difference in thickness of speaker cable!  That 
is such a laugh.

Buying ultra high end audio is an ego trip more than 
anything.  Very good quality audio equipment is usually 
worth it, but the human ear is just not good enough to hear 
the differences some people claim.  And after the age of 35 
or 40 most people's hearing is such that even "good" audio 
isn't worth it.  Those kids running around in boom box cars 
that you can hear in the next county won't be able to hear 
themselves talk when they turn 25!

Don Mallinson


Ron Porter wrote:
> Keep something in mind.....
> 
> Per my audiophile fanatic friends, the "CD quality"  tinny sound is still
> inferior to analog tunes on vinyl or quality cassettes.
> 
> Ron Porter (don't need high quality for my Van Halen albums!!)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
> On Behalf Of Ian Fisher
> Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 5:33 PM
> To: 'Jon Heese'; 'SHOTimes List'
> Subject: RE: [OT] [Shotimes] Premium sound system question
> 
> 
> I can hear a difference between some 128/44 mp3's and
> the orginal recording. It depends on what you are
> listening to and what kind of equipment it's playing
> on. 192/44 usually sounds closer to CD quality vs.
> 128/44.
> 
> Ian
> Alpine mp3 CD in dash
> Alpine-xtant amps
> MB Quart components
> Infinity 12" sub (Perfect I think-not a Kappa)
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