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I am a "Moron"




And I will tell you why I am a moron. First I have gone through a great deal of effort and expense, to get playback of my vinyl collection utilizing my PC to sound identical to just playing a record.

There was much discussion and debate about this on the PC forum, in regard as to how to accomplish this feat. Essential, was the "computer analog interface", plus you had to change some of the cards in your PC; which kind of PC didn't matter. Many people knowledgeable of various interfaces submitted their solutions; while mine is not the most expensive, it gets the same results as those which are more expensive because it's heavily modified with the most expensive "Nichicon capacitors".

Everyone testified that there was not one iota of difference between playing a record, and listening to playback through the PC.

I also read of an account of an audiophile who could afford almost anything. He belonged to an audio club that met once a month; it was the kind that discussed the merits of Koetsu Coral stone, over other equally fine cartridges, while sipping vintage wine. They were devoted to the best tone arms and turntables as well.

This audiophile had everything except time. He read where he could down load his vinyl to PC, and enjoy the same playback without handling his precious records. Naturally he was skeptical, but no less than "Stereophile" assured him this was possible. After accomplishing this feat, he no longer played his records, but enjoyed them the new way.

When it was his turn to host the meeting, he did not divulge this, but continued to engage in the conversation as though he was still experimenting with tone arms, cartridges and etc. I believe if he had revealed his secret, he would have been banned from the club.

The reason I say I am a moron is because I have tried more than once to share my knowledge on the "Analog forum", to be completely and emphatically rejected.

Anyone who does the same thing numerous times expecting different results, is a moron; especially when they get the same results each time.


orpheus10
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
orpheus,
What your doing makes perfect sense for the LP's longevity. It's all good, just can't see myself doing that. Some of that is certainly because I'm not familiar with the format, but I really do like the process that goes with listening to LP's for a few hours.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Boxer, before computer, I used reel to reel tape decks; those were the only machines I really fell in love with. When they were popular, I would spend hours at the stereo store admiring the big expensive decks I couldn't afford.

Since that time, which was many years ago, I have owned Akai, Teac, Otari, and Technics; needless to say, I became accustomed to recording my records. The availability of high quality blank tape threw a wrench into that process.

I'm an "audiophile", not a PC expert, I don't understand the process either; I only know that it works, and it works precisely as I have stated that it works when you have the proper hardware.

Fortunately, it's not as expensive as straight up audio, and if you purchase the hardware, which comes with some instructions, I believe you can make it happen.

( In all honesty, I have a computer "guru", we call them "geeks", who assists me; I only know what audiophiles know; I told him I wanted the output to sound precisely like the input, he told me what to buy, and we made it happen)

From what I've read, I believe it's possible to put an "audiophile" PC system together without a "geek".
2channel8
758 posts
 
@orpheus10 , I should have been more precise. It's the covers and other informative material that comes with the physical media that I like handling.

@cleeds , Well a bad warp can damage a stylus; but this was worse! in two places on each rotation the tonearm jerked pretty violently toward the spindle and just as violently back out. It happened on both sides and it was not that the center hole was off center. The grooves were not circular for the whole 360 degrees; but puckered in in two places. I can't imagine how that happened; but it scared me. of course there was mistracking, which can be damaging, but there was a lot of torque to the cantilever as well. I'm not saying it did damage the stylus. I do believe it would have had I not been standing right there and reacted quickly to lift the tonearm.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

When comparing reel playback to PC playback, 2 track reel is better, but that's at great expense when you consider the high price of blank tape; unless you're rich, the point is moot.

This PC, analog controversy is not what it's made out to be; it's about "geezers" (those who own high end analog) who want to learn new tricks, and those who don't.

Those who can hear something they have identified as "the stair step effect", but can't tell that a motion picture is no more than a bunch of still frames, or that transistors don't just stay on, but are going on and off constantly, are highly suspect.

Old dogs don't want to learn new tricks, even when this trick is like getting a high end reel tape deck for very little, that comes with free tape.


asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,598 posts
 
(*G*  Late to the floor show....I've been 'away'....but obviously, some things don't change within these environs... )

Orpheus10...Loved the 'analogerites' tag; the 'flip' being 'digititals'? *rude snicker*

....as one whose 'collection' consists of vinyls, cassettes, CDs, and digital files I'd rather enjoy what's on the format ('primo' as to what was possible/practical for yours truly at the time & place) as opposed to engaging in seemingly endless debates as to which is Nirvana and what is Garbage...

(*heavy-handed pun intended*)

Look....ultimately....whether or no you listen with a 'system' within a 'space' that rivals the $ of a BMWhatever or a RatShack return found @ Goodwill and wired up with zipcords in the garage...if it's 'transcendent' Enough to put a smile on your face and make the neurons fire in an acceptable fashion...
 
As is said: "WTF?, over?"  It's akin to evolution, ultimately.  Some changes in DNA, however 'better', didn't make the cut in the Long Haul.

Meme-while, some did, and will continue anon, and on, and on, and on....enough to either dismay or delight....the 'debate' amuses me more than the subject matter....

Please, y'all...carry on.  Just sweep up the fur, and mop up the blood occasionally, 'K? ;)
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