2. digital
  3. 159433-10803

A case for Hi Rez Digital

Ok...walk with me (BTW I listen to both analog and digital)

You have a Master tape from a classic album that is considered "audiophile". You get the best mastering engineer. Best converters, etc. Tape in great shape. The Engineer is well experienced in both digital and analog mastering.

1. The Engineer masters a Hi Rez 24 bit (96 or 192) file. Which is either distributed digitally (HD Tracks, etc) or SACD (24/44?). No 16/44 version...just High Rez. The consumer purchases and plays thru a high quality DAC and stereo system. 

2. Same Engineer masters a vinyl version. The normal process (Laquer---plates---stampers or whatever the process) for an audiophile LP (think MoFi, MM, etc). Goes to pressing plant and uses the highest quality vinyl. The vinyl is packaged in a cover, shrink-wrapped and shipped to warehouse, record store, etc. The buyer gets the album and has a similar high quality system as the digital buyer. Just instead of a DAC...the buyer has a phono pre, Turntable, and cartridge.


Shouldn't the digital buyer get the closest version to the source master tape and thus have the best sounding version?No surface noise, fewer variations (Dacs can vary, however, with LPs you have a TT, Cartridge, more interconnects thruout, plus variations in the vinyl itself. How about cutting head wear).

Myself, numerous LPs that sound better than digital. I have a huge collection of Hi-Rez and DSD files. I have many Hi Rez versions better sounding than audiophile Lps. I'm inclined to think that the majority of sound quality (I know there are human preferences) comes from the recording and mastering vs format. And all things equal, Digital edges out LPs for noise alone. 


Thoughts?






aberyclark
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,413 posts
 
So a 100 year old format somewhat adjusted 70 years ago and now almost exclusively mastered from digital sources is still the gold standard for sound? 

That’s pretty funny. 

The packaging has Always been superior to CD and Has even improved in recent years so it does have that going for it.
aberyclark OP
1,359 posts
 
I'll be honest. I think lots have to do with the whole vinyl experience. The sleeve, the cleaning, the TT set up, etc. Much like a collector of vintage anything. Much of the newer vinyl lovers are buying the $99 AT Turntables that are a plenty at record stores. Its more about the "experience". Just my two cents. I love the experience myself.....but I'm also totally honest with myself.
gdnrbob
4,458 posts
 
@aberyclark ,
I grew up with vinyl, and I do respect its' sound quality, I embrace digital for five reasons:
One, never having to get up and cue a record
Two, never having to turn over a record
Three, hearing Pops an Ticks, as well as distortion from a cartridge not perfectly aligned.
Four, owning a poorly pressed, and warped record (Remember RCA's Dynagroove- For me it was Dynawarp).
Five, having an almost unlimited library at my fingertips.
Though I may not be getting the full experience, I am willing to sacrifice the lowered sound quality for the ease of digital streaming.
And, I forgot to add-not being able to walk across a room without inciting the needle to jump.-Isolation wasn't available, as it is today.
Bob


mahler123
3,402 posts
 
I still remember my first reaction to hearing a CD .  It was Colin Davis and the Boston Symphony in Orchestral Music of Debussy, recorded 1982.  The dynamic range and headroom seemed limitless .  The music emerged from an utterly silent background.  I could hear a load more low level Orchestral detail, even in my music I thought I knew very well, with no competition from noisy vinyl artifacts.  I was in heaven.  I’m playing that same CD now, first time in years, and of course my system is hugely upgraded and it’s amazing how current digital technology can extract so much information from ancient recordings.
  I think there are vinyl people and digital people.  I hate the sound of the needle drop, the pops, clicks, limited dynamic range...obviously there are many who are the polar opposite and find all of that endearing.  To each their own.  But hey, at least I don’t go into the analog forum here and hector people as to why they shouldn’t be enjoying what they like
Post removed 
More to discover