From: arenson@twics.co.jp
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: DAT (and DCCand and MD and analog and digital and...)
Date: 13 Dec 92 20:31:19 GMT
Organization: TWICS, Tokyo, Japan

                        ***********************
                        Notes from overseas
                         sent as EMAIL are charged
                        both send/receive so please
 
                         Thank you!
                      *************************
 
 
Here in Japan, where much of the mass-market stuff comes from,
               not much is moving in the way of DAT, Mini DIsk
           DCC or DOLBY S.
 
In line with what the high-end mags say, MD is not attractive from
the point of view of sound.  Perehaps only from the point of
view of what the future promises.
 
All formats seem like temporary solutions until a more sure formula
is found
DCC sounds better, but is too polite and not engaging.
 
Then comes DOLBY S which only a few makers produce.  Sounds good,
but even here it has a processed sound c0mpared to plain old non Dolby
 
casette or reel to reel.
 
Noise and all, analog casette sounds warmer.
 
Which leaves DAT...some sound good (like the very expensive
top of the linme model--the multi-bit recorder) or even the
next in line (about 1300 dollars compared to the 2000 dollar
top model) single bit --both SONY models I forgot to
mention.  These are both 4 head models and assume they are
avilable in the US since are about 2 years old.
 
Go lower than that and you get ionto one bit models.  These begin
to sound processed.  I am told the next in line SONY model
above, althouhh one bit, is an exceoption here as to good sound.
 
What is a sound conscious consumer to do in choosing a recording medium?
 
Stick with analogue casette..and if so, DOlby?
Certainly I think MD is inferior, not even CD quality
 
 
and DCC--even the manufacturer of the 3 brands here--MARANTZ-
doesn't know the specs of their machines...they just quote from a flyer rather
than investigate (the machines sold here are the copper plated chassis-
Marantz, the wood side-panel Matsushita (Panasonic) and Philips.  They
 
are all made by Marantz but the MArantz brand claims to have some different
parts.  In particular, I ahev been unable to confirm if there is
a significant differenbe in the analog p[layback (wow and flutter
problems with the Philips at least) of all 3 macjines, and have to
conclude that they probably all have this problem.
 
So back to DAT---I note there are a few multi bit
recorders around.  One is a DENON 2000 G and a "limited edition
2000GL" which supposedly has a better A/D converer.  And then there
is the same TECA/TASCAM model that has been around for two years.
 
My question for those in the know....is there an opinion that
MULTI-BIT is better,warmer, more realistic , etc. or is this
still a matter of choice?
 
Is there a consensus on what to look for/avoid in DAT recorders?
 
Will they be here for awhile?  Here weher purchasing of ready-recorded
music is not and never was as popular as in the US, the lack of
prerecorded muic for DAT has not hurt their sales as much.  Still, the
recession here too HAS cut into the sales of ALL high-end equipment (or
maybe I should say "mid-level" equipment.
 
Favorite brands/models?
 
With DA converters getting better (or worse in some opinions) and with
the likes of Denon, SONY and TEAC only releasing the same
models  (except in the low end, where SONY has just released a version
of their cheapest deck that recors analogue at 44 khz), should
I fear I am getting inferior quality if I buy a 2 year-old SONY model?
 
And I HAVE heard the Pioneer 96khz model but
at normal speed as no demo tapes wre available (another problem
 
 
in Japan).  It sounded so-so...polite might be a good word.
 
IS ther an advantage--it records at twice the speed with claims of
a range of 2-44 as opposed to the norm of about 2-20.  I tjought only
dogs heard that much.
 
Anyway, much obliged for any opinions.  Hard to get any hard facts
here paradoxically.  Lots of shiny equipment, but even the staff
of the companies can't asnwer a simple question.
 
Thank youu
 
Paul Arenson
TWICS JAPAN
 
P.S.  PLEASE!  no email.  If possible, plaeseease respond wright here in
this
topic.  In JApan, we have to pauy for all incloming and outgoing mail,
so etiquette is different.  EMAIL via internet is a drag. Thanks.
Anywwone have any questions I can investigate with HJapanese
manufactiuurers, go ahaead eas and ask.
Newsgroups: rec.audio