Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site moncol.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!harpo!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!vax135!petsd!moncol!ben
From: ben@moncol.UUCP (Bennett Broder)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Spring cleaning Preamps (actually CD vs LP)
Message-ID: <301@moncol.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-May-85 10:59:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: moncol.301
Posted: Fri May 17 10:59:39 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 19-May-85 05:39:54 EDT
References: <141@utflis.UUCP>
Organization: Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Lines: 82

>One final question: Any Oracle/Linn/similar owners out there compared
>good quality CD players with one of the above turntables (with a good
>mc cartridge such as the Koetsu or Diamond etc.)?  What are your opinions?
>For convenience sake, I am contemplating the purchase of a good CD unit....
>The discussions I have read so far (and I have only been able to read
>three weeks worth of net.audio) seem to indicate that high end analogue
>just might still "sound" a little "better"  than CD units (I find it hard to 
>qualify "sound" and "better" with more descriptive terms).

It seems unfortunate, but in the audio world most people are, to use a
euphimism, extremely opinionated.  If A is good, then B is trash.
Another group argues why B is the answer and anyone who likes A is out
of his mind.  So it is with CDs.  Many of my friends are this way.
I have several who claim to be unable to listen to records since
buying their CD player.  A single pop or tick would ruin their day.
Meanwhile I read in the high-end publications that CD players are
totally incapable of providing adequate sound reproduction.  Trying to
enjoy music with one is analogous to squeezing blood from a granite
wall.  A low resolution synthesis of the original music.

Crazy.  To my ears, they both sound pretty good.  Listen, CDs and LPs
are not mutually exclusive in an audiophile system.  Each medium has
its advantages and disadvantages.  But, let me give you my
impressions..

First my system:

Oracle Alexandria MkII w/Oracle Prelude arm
Monster Alpha-2 mc cartridge
Revox B225 CD player
Threshold FET 2 II preamp
Hafler DH500 power amp
ProAc Elixir speakers
Plexus Audio SWS-1 subwoofer

Now, advantages of the CD player:
- Freedom from noise.  The sound from a digital or recent analog
  recording emerges from a blanket of complete silence.
- Superb dynamic range.  Only the best audiophile records can come
  close to the uncompressed sound available on most CDs.  (read the
  reviews though, a few CDs are not good in this regard)
- Flat frequency response.  The CD player provides frequency response
  equal to or better than the best cartridges, yet the cost of a CD
  player is substantially lower than a high quality record player and
  arm fitted with one of these cartridges.
- Freedom from most forms of distortion.  No need to worry about
  having your needle fly out of the groove while playing the Telarc
  1812 overture.  (Actually, the Alpha-2 does a pretty good job with
  this record, but not as good as the CD)
- Freedom from the hassles of record maintenance.  No more disc
  cleaning. No need to turn the record over.  No stylus to clean.
  And of course, no record wear.

Advantages of a good record player:
- Better imaging.  CD players introduce phase distortions which kill
  psychoacoustic cues.  Audiophile records have more depth, and
  instrument placement is more focused.
- More musicality.  This one is tough to qualify.  But, strings have
  less bite.  Voices have less squeak.  Flutes are less shrill.  Music
  is 'easier' to listen to.
- And of course records are cheaper, more titles are available on
  records, and the cover art is bigger.


OK, so which do I prefer?  For the ultimate in sound, I'd have to go
with my best records.  I simply don't have any CDs which as good as
the best records from Reference Recordings and Sheffield Labs.  They
have a natural musical sound that the best CDs just have not been able
to capture.  For sound that is more spectacular, but not quite as good,
I turn to my best CDs.  Two kinds of musical enjoyment, different but
both enjoyable.

If you can afford it, I'd go for the CD player.  You already own good
analog equipment; the CD will give you first hand experience with
a technology that is bound to revolutionize the industry.

                                  Ben Broder
                                  ..ihnp4!princeton!moncol!ben
                                  ..vax135!petsd!moncol!ben
                                  ..pesnta!moncol!ben