How good is your hearing ? And how do you know ?

"Michael, how can you advocate the old soulful ways when you use digital source as a reference ?"

I think you've mentioned that somewhere else as well. I kind of let it pass by without much comment. Digital is an audio language just like analog is. Once that language is put in motion it is all analog signal. TT's, Tape and CD's are all mechanical devices. I can't stand the sound of almost all CD Players, to me they sound like tin cans. However some players it's a different story. It's all in the way they are built and the parts used, and CDP's are much different than TT's or Decks and shouldn't be treated like they are the same.

here's an example

I don't like the sound of CDP's that use big transformers. The players I use have tiny transformers. I also don't like the sound of CDP's made out of metal. I don't like the sound of CDP's using certain types of materials on the circuit boards. Lastly, I don't like the sound of CDP's that are higher mass.

CD's themselves as a medium I love and prefer over any other mediums, with the exception of 2" tape on a very tricked out old Studer. However having that tricked out old Studer sitting in another room and needing adjusted per tape is no longer practical for me. Plus I'm no longer able to get my hands on 1st generation masters.

Michael Green

Inna

Can I also point out something else. Anyone who has spent a fair amount of time being a professional tape runner (the guy who does duplication) on whatever level becomes aware of outer to inner revolution distortion. Once you experience this to the point where it’s ingrained into your scull, it sticks with you forever. It shows up in tape speeds and vinyl pressings alike. The analog language is more susceptible to this than the digital language, before it gets to the analog signal stage.

Set up two systems, one using tape and one CD (don’t do this on the same system). Play the CD system and skip from the first track to the last (play 30 seconds of each). The sonic cue is the same. Now play the first song on your RtR then fast forward to the last track. The cue is different. On vinyl it’s more so.

Lastly, the reason I like CD’s more is the repeat button. I’m not so crazy about any recordings first pass through the system. I put the player on repeat and usually get interested on the 3rd or forth pass as the system settles into the signals vibratory structure. If I compared a tape, vinyl and CD on the first pass, I would more cases than not pick the tape or vinyl over the CD (recording dependent). However the tape nor the vinyl give me this option, and after about the 3rd or so pass the CDP usually walks away from the others.

Michael Green