Actually, no, old CDs are not in general really much better mastered than new ones. While the loudness wars and dynamic compression do degrade CD sound on many newer CDs, many many older CDs didn't have this compression added at all but are nevertheless still awful sounding compared to the LP due to GENERALLY poor CD mastering (wrong tapes, poorly aligned tape machines, poor A/D converters, etc.). In some cases, the remastered editions of a given CD are way BETTER than the original CD.
But it cannot be overstated, even with perfect mastering, the CD format, at its best, cannot match the LP format at its best. There is an inherent difference in quality between the formats even if you cast aside any mastering or over processing problems CD often has.... In other words, with truly great hi rez master recordings, NO CD version will never sound as good as a well mastered LP version with good LP playback gear, even if you don't "add loudness" to the CD version. -- J.C. O'Connell (mailto:[email protected]) Join the CD PLAYER & DISC Discussions : http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/cdplayers/ http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/cdsound/ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Boros Attila Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:15 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: OT: Vinyl vs. Digital Hello Tom, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:46:48 AM, you wrote: <snip> TC> I've sat here most of the day listening to some vintage LP'S (OK, TC> 99% Beatles with a little Nat King Cole, Chicago, Heart, Macca, and TC> classical thrown in). This is with a $31 amp, a vintage turntable TC> and a cheap Audio-Technica cartridge, and a 25 year old pair of TC> speakers. TC> I may never buy another CD again. The amount of musical detail I TC> can hear and the dynamics of the music (can't describe it any TC> better) are just superb. It sounds like real music and real voices. Old recordings are much better mastered than new ones. This is sad but true. Some references: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17777619/the_death_of_high_fideli ty/print http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ Enjoy your new-old equipment:) -- Attila -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
