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Dolby-free early stereo recordings sound best.

This is an old controversy, but still significant with today’s digital re-issues.  
Dolby was invented to remove dreaded tape hiss from hi-fi reproduction.  The problem, despite claims to the contrary, is that it also removed the high frequency partials that produce the “magical” illusion of real space.
The magic is  especially evident in digital transfers of tapes from the pre-Dolby period of the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s.  There is an openness and airy quality to these recordings that are unmatched in tapes from the later, Dolbyized, period. 
This is an observation that not many others have ever commented on, to my surprise.
I listen mainly to classical, but I would be interested if others had  noticed this phenomenon in classical or other genres like jazz, rock or pop etc.
128x128rvpiano
erik_squires
16,378 posts
 
OP -

The same was true for Dolby Surround films. They actually used Dolby-A on the L/R optical tracks on top of a second layer of Dolby-B or C (can't remember) for the decoded surround channel. 

However! Based on my experience this was not on the encoding but the decoders. We used our own decoders instead of the Dolby-A cards and they had the best of both worlds. Low film noise and open/airy/immersive top end.

I suspect it should be possible today to build up an unofficial Dolby-A decoder digitally which is just as good.

Best,

E
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,688 posts
 
Erik,

Very interesting.
gdnrbob
4,458 posts
 
I recall a story a few years back that more than a few film composers found Dolby to be one of the worst thing to happen to film scores.
As I have posted on other threads, MQA is probably a similar variant.
B
erik_squires
16,378 posts
 
@gdnrbob 

( I worked for one of Dolby's competitors in film processor space)

True! 

Dolby Surround was based on fairly ham-handed steering for the sake of effects. Pow on the left! Bang on the right! That was the point. Movies were rollercoasters, and the Dolby Surround system was designed for this. 

Fortunately, the sound on the tracks IS better than the decoders by far. Also, 70 mm films and the very rare magnetic 35 mm film used discrete channels. They sounded MUCH better. 

erik_squires
16,378 posts
 
Also, try out the Neo:6 deocding formats if you have them. :) 
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