From: fcaic@wbst845e.xerox.com (Frank Caico)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Digital critics - sampling argument is nonsense
Date: 22 Jan 93 23:58:27 GMT
Organization: Xerox, Webster, NY


This is not in followup to any particular message but the lot.

> zellers@22_clancy.manassas.ibm.com (Cevin M Zellers) writes: >I recently
> It sounds like the analogue proponents on MTV were flat earthers who just
> refuse to accept that digital is the way forward.
> 
> On the other hand, you get analogue users like myself who still like LPs
> for the simple reason that they sound better to us, as JJ pointed out quite
> eloquently thankyou very much.
> 
> On the other hand, just why CDs sound bad to some of us is a matter of
> great argument and again as JJ pointed out the above arguments are very
> dubious.

Amen.  
I used to do some software engineering work in Acoustics (sonars to be
exact) but my knowledge of the subject does not go into true acoustical
engineering depths (if you will excuse the pun :-) ). 
Anyhow, I have listened to a fellow engineer's explanations about why
digital is not as good as analog (in theory) and they sounded pretty
plausible.  He even said that his HiFi quality turntable blew the doors off
a CD player when it came to a really good vinyl pressing.  

However, even he agreed, that any vinyl pressing *easily* available these
days sucks.  And while it is true that many (if not most) digital
recordings are not very good (the ones that are, are amazing IMHO)  I would
prefer a bad CD over a bad LP any day.  

I cannot argue about good quality vinyl vs good quality cd 'cuz I have
never heard a HiFi quality LP.  I must say however, that the noise in an LP
(any kind of pop or foreign noize due to static, dust or imperfections on
the LP's surface) make it difficult for me to enjoy recordings that have
alot of very quiet moments.  

PLUS I find that CDs are just to damn convenient for me to use anything
else. Random access is really nice. and I love rarely having to clean them.
There size and rigid casing is great and I can use the same medium in my
home/car/work!  These arguments make it IMPOSSIBLE for *me* to select LPs
over CDs. 

You should listen to whatever you like.  Also I am tired of people ranking
on other people because they may or may not have spent too much $$$ on
their HiFi equipment.  If I spend $10K on a stereo system, and get $10K
worth of enjoyment by LOOKING at it, then it doesn't matter it SOUNDS!  

If you like your LPs then don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If spending
$60 for cables makes you THINK it sounds $60 better, then do it! Just don't
tell me I am a fool for liking digital compact discs - my reasons are my
own.

I think I also prefer the digital medium because being a software engineer
- it  is alot easier for me to comprehend than analog equipment. :-)

--
    Frank Caico                                    fcaic@wbst845e.xerox.com 
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