Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!reed!cdi!caf
From: caf@cdi.UUCP (caf)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: CX Encoding - (nf)
Message-ID: <271@cdi.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 13-Nov-83 17:04:17 EST
Article-I.D.: cdi.271
Posted: Sun Nov 13 17:04:17 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Nov-83 06:54:38 EST
References: <2286@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Organization: Computer Development Inc, Beaverton OR
Lines: 36

The tenichal articles on CX that I read indicated that CX was intended
for use with Digital masters where some compression would be necessary
to get the music to fit within the LP's dynamic range.  Since the
beginning of CX, I have been able to find but three classical
recordings; NONE of these were from digital masters, so it would seem
there is not as yet a test of CX's claim based on the suggested sourde
material.

The other CX problem (breathing/swishing) is all too real on the
records I have.  Perhaps CX would be OK if the records had been pressed
on audiophile vinyl, but Columbia doesn't seem to even know what that
IS hudging by the sandpaper surfaces of some of their recent top of the
line classical records.

In my humbole opinion, the real fraud of CX was in its commercial
destruction of DBX discs.  I have dozens of classical DBX records and,
to the extent that anything analog can be made perfect, they do deliver
their promise.  The only obvious failure of the DBX system is in
handling extremely fast and louder transients, such as castanets
againgst a silent background.  (Cymbal crashes and drums are fine.)
Swishing and noise modulation are not a problem with the BDX's I've
heard, and although ticks and pops are not eliminated, the "mist" and
constricted dynamic range that separates LP's from CD's do not plague
DBX records.

Having compared some DBX records againgst CD of the same material
(unfortunately not A-B), the most obvious difference is in the extra
$700 needed for the CD player.

Some of my favorite DBX's are some analog mastered Vox recordings which
sold for 8 to 11 dollars.  I'd like to see some calssical CD's with
50 or minutes of music on them selling for that price!  Some of the
CD's I've seen aren't even half full!

-- 
Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX CDI Portland OR (503)-646-1599 cdi!caf