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From: greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: More Anti-Digital Fuel
Message-ID: <250@olivej.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Nov-84 21:04:44 EST
Article-I.D.: olivej.250
Posted: Mon Nov 19 21:04:44 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Nov-84 05:14:40 EST
Organization: Olivetti ATC, Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 44


The latest issue of "Absolute Sound" arrived containing a
letter from the president of Reference Recordings.  In the
letter he describes the circumstances that he feels has
forced his company into the production of CD's.  He also
states very clearly that the analogue LP's they are producing
are superior to the CD's, and that the analogue master
tapes they are making side-by-side with their digital masters
are far superior.

In the same issue is a letter from a representative of
Polygram (DGG/Philips/London) admitting that in practice
the dynamic range reproduced by their CD's is no greater
than the LP equivalents.

This follows a letter last year (spring '83) from a 
representative of Denon admitting that, although they
found it a commercial necessity to get into the CD market
at that point, they felt there were still severe problems
that couldn't be disguised or resolved.

The point that interests me is knowing what would prompt
people in this position to make such (from a commercial
standpoint) potentially disastrous admissions.  Other
than restoring credibility in the eyes of those few who
are seriously dissatisfied with digital recordings and
the CD, the gains would seem to be few and the possible
losses tremendous.  Even if they figured that "Absolute
Sound", having limited circulation and a reputation for
exoticism, would be a "safe" place to send letters of
this sort, letters can, and will, be quoted in other
contexts.  Certainly, though, I've never seen anything
of the sort, from a president or representative of a
major company admitting to major flaws in their own
products, appear in Stereo Review or High Fidelity.

If disparaging comments about digital technology
and the CD coming from manufacturers dealing in these
products are false, what motive could they possibly 
serve?

	- Greg Paley