2. analog
  3. 1220237577

Are Digitally mastered LPs any better than CDs?

It seems to me a vinyl album that was mastered digitally would be the worst of both worlds - the digital effects would still be present,overlaid with surface noise, dust pops, no convenience features (remote control track skip, etc). I suppose if you don't have a great digital front-end, the record could sound like a CD playing on a much better CD player than you have. Or maybe if the digital master was a hi-res format, your record could sound like an SACD playing on a very high-end player, overlain with surface noise. Am I missing something?
honest1
honest1 OP
586 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I didn't realize most recent recordings were recordede at hiogher data rates, and wasn't aware of the ultra-high data rates mentioned by Johnny B. Does this also apply to the pop / rock (i.e. U2) recordings I hear are being made available now?
I own a GNSC modded 850,so am familiar with the sound.
I would love to listen for myself, and am slowly getting my vinyl rig in shape.
photon46
1,086 posts
 
There have have been numerous digitally mastered classical albums from the 80's (mostly Phillips and London) popping up in the local record stores I've been buying for about $1-3 each. While they might not have the warmth of the best all analogue productions, they certainly don't suffer from the deficiencies of 80's digital either. The quality of the vinyl surfaces are fine, no gripes about noise (unlike many contemporary rock vinyl releases.)
dfwmediagroup
46 posts
 
They vary widely. Some of the digitally mastered LP transfers sound bad. Some are excellent. It really depends on the mastering and pressing. Digital recordings have wide frequency bandwidth and wide dynamic range. If the LP is cut with wide grooves that allow big swings then it will sound great. If it is compressed with narrow grooves, it will sound thin and constricted. Look at how many tracks are on each side and the timing. If the LP is a best of collection, for example, with 6-7 tracks per side and a run time of greater than 20 minutes per side, watch out, it could be a mess. On the other hand if a typical length CD of 60 minutes is on 4 LP sides (15 minutes per side) it could sound incredible. Check it out.
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Metallica is reputed to be better. Their CD's are normally compressed and flat topping throughout - an effect that is harder to do with Vinyl. So it depends.
sonofjim
557 posts
 
Agree with above posters. I have some digitally recorded LPs that are great. I think it helps a great deal just to avoid the errors possible in home digital playback. Even though I'm biased toward all analogue LPs, I try to listen with an open mind and many times I'm quite surprised.
More to discover