I am so glad I never replaced that 8-track player out of my '79 Trans-Am.

How do you spin an 8-track?

except that 8 tracks aren't known for superior their fidelity like vinyl is.

8 tracks suck.

platkat: How do you spin an 8-track?

On a smooth coffee table top, preferably glass. Wipe the the glass down first.

The WFMU record fair was unusually crowded this year. I thought Sunday afternoon in this economy would've been a perfect buying environment, but it was shoulder to shoulder.

Doubled from what? One hundred to two hundred?

/ I keed. I keed.
// I miss my record player.
/// I also miss my records.
//// slashie.

doublesecretprobation: except that 8 tracks aren't known for superior their fidelity like vinyl is.

This. I sometimes wonder if vinyl is going to outlive CD.

ne2d: doublesecretprobation: except that 8 tracks aren't known for superior their fidelity like vinyl is.

This. I sometimes wonder if vinyl is going to outlive CD.

We can hope. I love that a lot of artists releasing new albums are including 180 vinyl as an option. I recently fixed my old Technics turntable (needed a weird power cord that I lost) and started using it again. Very nice, and it annoys the wife when I have vinyl all over the the floor.

/Screaming Blue Messiahs, Gun Shy. Old semi-alt rock was really good.

But what of minidiscs? For the love of God tell me!

I scratch the shiat out of CDs and for some reason, I keep records in great shape. It's really a win/win, except the record player in the car idea has been a big fail so far.

24 bit/ 96 khz (or 192) is the format to issue on (and as far as the older stuff goes, stop with the crappy surround upmixes and keep it in stereo).

I a have a few of these (the Flaming Lips notably release them, though I still pick up their vinyl).

I'm sorry, vinyl might sound better than CD, but HD audio is *entirely* the way to hear music, especially the old stuff from the 70s.

doublesecretprobation: except that 8 tracks aren't known for superior their fidelity like vinyl is.
8 tracks suck.

This.

And BTW, Subby, there's no such thing as an "eight-track cassette," just as there's no such thing as a "CD record." "Eight-track cartridges" and "cassette tapes" are different formats. Both suck by modern standards, but the former sucked even by 30-year-old standards.

Cheap Trick is already prepared for the 8-track resurgence (pops).

wil: I also miss my records.

What happened to them?

My vinyl collection grows every year. And I often buy just released albums on vinyl, so I'm excited to see the recent come back.

CtrlAltDelete: wil: I also miss my records.

What happened to them?

Sealed under court order, I assume.

8-track:

"Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken *CHA-CHUNK* magic spells.

I would also like to state for the record that, while I know it's hip to act like vinyl sounds better than CD, I think it's bullsh*t, and I bet I'm not the only one.

Calmamity: I would also like to state for the record that, while I know it's hip to act like vinyl sounds better than CD, I think it's bullsh*t, and I bet I'm not the only one.

What he said.

I understand the love for vinyl but personally I could never get into listening to records for one reason only--to my ears there are two audio "sounds" being produced. One is the properly amplified audio output to the speakers. The second is an almost ghostly, tinny sound that eminates from the turntable stylus/needle assembly. You can hear it if you get up close to a record playing with the sound all the way down.

I can't get past that secondary sound source--to me it throws off the true sound of the primary source. And no, I don't want to turn my volume up to drown it out.

/I respect turntable freaks, but I never cared for the sound.

Disco Stu was right!

HotLonelyTeenageGirl:
I'm sorry, vinyl might sound better than CD, but HD audio is *entirely* the way to hear music, especially the old stuff from the 70s.

I hate to self-comment, but I have to elaborate: Yes, we've spent our whole lives hearing "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac. I recently got the 24/96 DVD-A transfer, and I am telling you, you have *NEVER* heard that album sound that way. It is absolutely breathtaking. The quality of proper studio analog 2-inch tape since, oh, 1971, can never be reproduced by CD or vinyl. If any of you have the proper set up, I cannot recommend this enough (and yes, I have this album on vinyl, too). It blew my mind. Just the way the each and every vocal stands out, and the sheer perfection of every chorus. Not even to speak of drums or bass.

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: HotLonelyTeenageGirl:

a) how much did your system cost?
b) is it digital or analog?

i hate the quality of a lot of the vinyl issues now. brand new records scuffed!

the cyclical table of Fark greenlights on the music tab:

Bobby McFerrin doing the pentatonic: bi-annually
Vinyl is making a comeback: tri annually
Downloading helps the music industry: quarterly
Something about either Oasis, Pete Dougherty, Bono, or Morrissey doing something self-serving and absolutely stupid but people who still like these irrelevant bands/artists pretend to care about: once per 30-day month
Gene Simmons trying to stay relevant: months that start on Mondays
Kings of Leon complaining about how their old fans abandoned them, their new fans are horrible, and how they're underrated and deserve a track on the the next Twilight soundtrack: bi-weekly.

Mugato: Calmamity: I would also like to state for the record that, while I know it's hip to act like vinyl sounds better than CD, I think it's bullsh*t, and I bet I'm not the only one.

What he said.

What they said. Other than the album art/huge graphics, I don't miss vinyl. At all.

mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: HotLonelyTeenageGirl:

a) how much did your system cost?
b) is it digital or analog?

yeah, i had a friend w/ a great system, but the turntable was farked up. so he had a numark table and a mark levinson cd player. cds sounded much better on his system.

John Buck 41: Mugato: Calmamity: I would also like to state for the record that, while I know it's hip to act like vinyl sounds better than CD, I think it's bullsh*t, and I bet I'm not the only one.

What he said.

What they said. Other than the album art/huge graphics, I don't miss vinyl. At all.

It's not objectively better. It's not like saying a FLAC has better sound quality than an MP3.

It's that some albums just sound better in that format.

The real benefit was that when you had the vinyl format, it also forced better album construction since you had to have an opener and a closer for the album, and quite often, for each side.

mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: HotLonelyTeenageGirl:

a) how much did your system cost?
b) is it digital or analog?

I use a simple setup with Bose 301s in front and back that I have had for years, a Bose center, I have a basic Sony 8-series amp that I grabbed in '05 (it DOES sound like ass on the phono inputs, though), the key component is the soundcard in my HTPC which is an HT Omega Claro using the.... oh hell... I'm not going to pull the chipset model out of my ass, but it is consumer gear, not something you need pro-audio for. However, it kicks the Sony into DTS 24/96 exactly like it should, then a little FFMPEG or VLC to play back the HD audio files. WinAmp is normally doing it fine, but I have certain MLP-decoded files that it just gets confused on.

You don't need to spend thousands. In fact, I *do* have those friends with the ridiculous systems that, frankly, I think I are unnecessary and sound like ass.

But there is no question at all as to how much nicer these files sound, and I have also mentioned here, until you have heard the Alan Parsons mixed (god knows where it came from but there is *no way* it is not from the studio and not from the source) MLP of Dark Side of the Moon in quad at 24/96 you have not *ever* heard the album. It is stunning.

My point is this: You don't need to spend the money on some ridiculous audiophile system. The difference between 24/96 is so far beyond the 44/16 of CD is amazing.

*NOW* I will add that I've gotten several of these releases that have been given the "modern treatment". fark that noise. But there are a handful out there that have just been given nice transfers from studio tape, and they just absolutely shine.

I also hate most SACD releases with a passion for that reason. Seems like the DVD-A sourced stuff is nicer.

konigsforst: yeah, i had a friend w/ a great system, but the turntable was farked up. so he had a numark table and a mark levinson cd player. cds sounded much better on his system.

The problem I have is that I can tell the difference between analog and digital...and I really don't like digital. My record player is shait, but I keep buying records in hopes that some day my wife will let me buy a quality record player and speakers that do it justice.
It sounds like this DVD-A thing is digital...but can an audiophile tell the difference? Is it worth the money?

The six-monthly vinyl comeback article seems to be coming every couple of months now.

And no, it isn't superior - or it would actually be selling more.

My turntable is a baisc Sony direct-drive circa 1983. Resonably new cartridge which sees minimal use (records are "sepcial time" for me, and the ones I collect, I collect for the art and for having the disc - though I do tend to buy new vinyl from artists I really like). The best that damn thing ever sounded was hooked up to a 1979 Sansui amp, that I blew, and was too young and stupid at the time to say "Hey jack ass, if you can't have it repaired now, keep it and do it later"

LP albums are fine and they really do sound better
but they get knicked and popped way too easily
making the CD a better investment in the long run


/had an LP collection worth THOUSANDS, jerry, THOUSANDS
//sold for a pittance when the girlfriend was crying for cappucino

mrmyxolodian: some day my wife will let me buy a quality record player and speakers that do it justice.

My God man...

mrmyxolodian: konigsforst: yeah, i had a friend w/ a great system, but the turntable was farked up. so he had a numark table and a mark levinson cd player. cds sounded much better on his system.

The problem I have is that I can tell the difference between analog and digital...and I really don't like digital. My record player is shait, but I keep buying records in hopes that some day my wife will let me buy a quality record player and speakers that do it justice.
It sounds like this DVD-A thing is digital...but can an audiophile tell the difference? Is it worth the money?

Digital is not the fault. 16 bit, 44 khz, is the fault. Yes, we can get into debates about tubes and properties of analog tape, but I through them out the window. You take a modern High-bit+sample rate recorder, use proper preamps by focusrite (I am citing things accessible to "small" artists), or, if you're fortunate, you have an Ampex 24 track on a Neve console, then you mix that shiat down to high bit rate. Trust me, there's no comparision.

44/16 is shiat. Sony and Phillips did the technology too early. It's entrenched and will never change.

mrmyxolodian: konigsforst: yeah, i had a friend w/ a great system, but the turntable was farked up. so he had a numark table and a mark levinson cd player. cds sounded much better on his system.

The problem I have is that I can tell the difference between analog and digital...and I really don't like digital. My record player is shait, but I keep buying records in hopes that some day my wife will let me buy a quality record player and speakers that do it justice.
It sounds like this DVD-A thing is digital...but can an audiophile tell the difference? Is it worth the money?

what about old, used hi-end TTs? also, get a Grado cartridge. best cart in the price range

used to have jesus and mary chain cd w/ dvd sound on the other side (if that's what your talking about) and i couldn't hear a difference. might be a problem for that release, though.

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: until you have heard the Alan Parsons mixed (god knows where it came from but there is *no way* it is not from the studio and not from the source) MLP of Dark Side of the Moon in quad at 24/96 you have not *ever* heard the album. It is stunning.

You of course know that he engineered the album...so probably had special access to it at Abbey Road studios or something...
I don't really want to invest in a system that doesn't have many offerings...I mean its not worth the money if the only releases are Aja, DSOTM, and Rumors. (no offense)
Really, my main question is, can you hear the 'digital' in the recordings or not?

Meh ... just as long as they don't bring back cassettes. I do miss my grandparents' old 78s as much as I do albums.

Mugato: My God man...

When there's only one income coming in, that person calls the shots.
/Sad but true

uh, last post wasn't supposed to be bold, but was supposed to address hotlonely's mention of his '79 sansui

mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: until you have heard the Alan Parsons mixed (god knows where it came from but there is *no way* it is not from the studio and not from the source) MLP of Dark Side of the Moon in quad at 24/96 you have not *ever* heard the album. It is stunning.

You of course know that he engineered the album...so probably had special access to it at Abbey Road studios or something...
I don't really want to invest in a system that doesn't have many offerings...I mean its not worth the money if the only releases are Aja, DSOTM, and Rumors. (no offense)
Really, my main question is, can you hear the 'digital' in the recordings or not?

1) No, you cannot hear the digital. Even slightly. It's amazing. 24 bit with 96/192 throws everything you think about the digital "iciness" out of the water.

2) Want to mention that the release of the Floyd I'm talking about with DSOM is not the SACD remaster - I've heard that and I hate it. BTW - it's clearly a "pre-final" mix as well... it sounds 95% finished, but when you know the album you know where things should and shouldn't be. I have an old g/f with whom I'm friends over in the last few months after I got this release, and I played it for her and we both said "WHY THE HELL DIDN'T WE HAVE THIS AT 18????" (I'm 32, for reference).

3) Truth is, there's not enough interest in DVD-A to start getting wide releases. I'm able to do what I do because I'm a tech-nerd combined with Audiophile nerd. What just got posted on a particular site I like is a 24-96 of "Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. Yeah, I have the vinyl, but I'm drooling over grabbing it.

konigsforst: i have a '79 sansui 8080 and love it. it does need repair right now though.

Goddamn, I miss that amp (I don't recall the model, but it was a GREAT amp). I blew the thing, was moving to Oregon (this was back in '01), was poor as hell, left it with roommates who wouldn't appreciate it.... but I have *never* heard phono inputs as nice as what this thing had. Got it as a hand-me-down from a friend's dad in '94. Big regret not hauling that around till I could repair it.

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: 3) Truth is, there's not enough interest in DVD-A to start getting wide releases. I'm able to do what I do because I'm a tech-nerd combined with Audiophile nerd. What just got posted on a particular site I like is a 24-96 of "Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. Yeah, I have the vinyl, but I'm drooling over grabbing it.

The thing about Parsons is his music sounds amazing, but I find his songs are so boring. For the record I saw him live once...not as good as you might think, but an experience nonetheless.

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: konigsforst: i have a '79 sansui 8080 and love it. it does need repair right now though.

Goddamn, I miss that amp (I don't recall the model, but it was a GREAT amp). I blew the thing, was moving to Oregon (this was back in '01), was poor as hell, left it with roommates who wouldn't appreciate it.... but I have *never* heard phono inputs as nice as what this thing had. Got it as a hand-me-down from a friend's dad in '94. Big regret not hauling that around till I could repair it.

ppl here www.audiokarma.org might be able to help you remember the model #

mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: 3) Truth is, there's not enough interest in DVD-A to start getting wide releases. I'm able to do what I do because I'm a tech-nerd combined with Audiophile nerd. What just got posted on a particular site I like is a 24-96 of "Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. Yeah, I have the vinyl, but I'm drooling over grabbing it.

The thing about Parsons is his music sounds amazing, but I find his songs are so boring. For the record I saw him live once...not as good as you might think, but an experience nonetheless.

AGreed completely. APP has some genius tracks over their career, but the bulk is overdone prog, to say the least

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: 3) Truth is, there's not enough interest in DVD-A to start getting wide releases. I'm able to do what I do because I'm a tech-nerd combined with Audiophile nerd. What just got posted on a particular site I like is a 24-96 of "Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. Yeah, I have the vinyl, but I'm drooling over grabbing it.

The thing about Parsons is his music sounds amazing, but I find his songs are so boring. For the record I saw him live once...not as good as you might think, but an experience nonetheless.

AGreed completely. APP has some genius tracks over their career, but the bulk is overdone prog, to say the least

hmm, when i was a kid (early 90s) and inherited my parents' record collection, there was an APP LP that i thought would be awesome. i listened to it a few times and was disappointed. i seem to recall the cover being - somebody sitting on a bed. maybe w/ a prism.
what are the good tracks?

konigsforst: www.audiokarma.org

Now you're making me search.... I'm seeing several that are familiar (it was definitely all-black metal, making it probably very early 80s or very late 70s - no wood paneling)... what I distinctly remember about it was that instead of just a single "phono" input, you had several types of "phono" depending on the kind of cartridge you were using.... None of the photos I seem to find appear to have that sort of setting.....

konigsforst: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: 3) Truth is, there's not enough interest in DVD-A to start getting wide releases. I'm able to do what I do because I'm a tech-nerd combined with Audiophile nerd. What just got posted on a particular site I like is a 24-96 of "Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. Yeah, I have the vinyl, but I'm drooling over grabbing it.

The thing about Parsons is his music sounds amazing, but I find his songs are so boring. For the record I saw him live once...not as good as you might think, but an experience nonetheless.

AGreed completely. APP has some genius tracks over their career, but the bulk is overdone prog, to say the least

hmm, when i was a kid (early 90s) and inherited my parents' record collection, there was an APP LP that i thought would be awesome. i listened to it a few times and was disappointed. i seem to recall the cover being - somebody sitting on a bed. maybe w/ a prism.
what are the good tracks?

You're thinking of "Pyramid". I stick with "I, Robot" (the masterpiece), "Turn of a Friendly Card, and "Eye in the Sky"

HotLonelyTeenageGirl: konigsforst: HotLonelyTeenageGirl: mrmyxolodian: HotLonelyTeenageGirl:

You're thinking of "Pyramid". I stick with "I, Robot" (the masterpiece), "Turn of a Friendly Card, and "Eye in the Sky"

pyramid rings a bell. that's a bad one?
thanks for the recs
AK can be fun/useful. maybe join and ask. they have aforum dedicated to sansui. w/ know-alls about different models