Gregory Szorc's blog

Analog is Inifinitely Times Better Than Digital

I just finished setting up the turntable that Ben left for me while he is on co-op in North Carolina. I can't believe what I have been missing! Honestly, why do people throw away old records? Listening to Zeppelin II, I heard my first true fade-out in years. I also can't get over how great the original albums sound! When you buy a CD today, you are usually buying a remastered album. Nine times out of ten, the remaster means bumping up the average volume (louder is better, right) and removing the so-called recording artifacts. The end product is music that has lessened dynamic range and less personality. Bottom line: I'll take my infinite sampling frequency any day of the week.

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While for many pop CDs, remastering may mean reducing the dynamic range, that is not what it means in general. Not owning any records myself, I cannot comment on that aspect.

However, removing recording artifacts and adding distortion? That's like prefering a JPEG to a PNG when both files are the same size. Sure you can have artifacts if you want. Hell, I bet someone could make a digital chip which could add the distortion caused by a tube amp better than the amp itself.

Infinite sampling frequency? Why bother? You can't even hear beyond about 20 - 20 000 Hz. Also, I am sure there are physical limitations in the creation of a record that limit the accuracy of the surface and playback mechanism.

I'll take my perfect digital copy any day of the week.

Of course, all that really matters is the person listening to the music. If you honestly believe it sounds better, and can prove it in a blind test, then go for it.

It's impossible to prove that one format is better than another besides on technical merits because some people claim to enjoy the distortion added by tube amps (or records).

As I make this comment I am listening to my old LPs on a brand new turn table, amp and DENON speakers. Bloody superb!!!!!!! I did not realise what wonderful, warm, clear and detailed sound I was missing until I pulled out abba's greatest hits. It was in near perfect condition. I wiped it down with a damp, non fibrous cloth and boy what a sound. Digital can pack its bags and leave as far as I am concerned. The bass is so loud and wonderful yet you can still hear everylast detail in the music.

CD or even SACD could not match this sound. Why spend £1000s on an SACD player with surround sound when I spent 260 quid on my lot.