low_delta: (rock)
low_delta ([personal profile] low_delta) wrote2006-01-02 01:44 pm
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audiophiles?

How good a stereo system do you have to have before you can hear the difference between an LP and a CD? You know, how people say that CDs lack the warmth of an analog recording? I know I don't have a great turntable, but it doesn't sound nearly as good as the CD player. The CD has a deeper, more vibrant sound. Or maybe I just have no idea what's missing, and one day I'll figure it out and all CDs will sound crappy ever aver after.
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[identity profile] specificocean.livejournal.com 2006-01-02 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Depends.

I didn't really notice how much better SOME LPs sound until I replaced my turntable cartridge with one that's significantly better than the previous one.

Now I can't stand to listen to Larry Carlton's 'Last Nite' CD any more; the LP version is MUCH warmer, fuller, more involving...

(Granted, my CD of the recording dates to 1987; a remastered/updated version might change my mind....)

[identity profile] low-delta.livejournal.com 2006-01-03 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure if CDs lose sound quality over time, but the early ones didn't have a very high sound quality, as i mentioned below. It took quite a while for them to figure out how to mix records for the digital format.

[identity profile] specificocean.livejournal.com 2006-01-03 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
True regarding CD/digital recording.

For interesting perspectives on this, look at www.upscaleaudio.com (at the pages for the Njoe Tjoeb CD player with tubes in it rather than all transistors)...

THEN go to www.continuumaudiolabs.com to look/shake your head in disbelief at a turntable that sells for approximately $100,000 or so...
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