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The CD sounds better? Not in my system

Posted by Teresa on April 28, 2007 at 23:46:59

In Reply to: Re: For those who complain about LP prices...... posted by John Elison on April 28, 2007 at 20:04:41:

I have finally gotten "some" CD playback that is listenable without pain. The very best CDs (there are so few) only make it to position 13. As far as Digital the better SACDs at position 5 can often get about 80% of the glory of the best analog but it is not possible for the lowly CD!

In my system, the best sound (on average) is as follows:

1) Real Time duplicated 7½ IPS pre-recorded Reel to Reel tape such as those by Sound Ideas, Ambisonic, Sonic and Direct To Tape Company. 15 IPS would be even better but I can't play 15 IPS, all four of the above companies also offer 2 Track 15 IPS reels.

2) The better audiophile LPs from real audiophile companies such as Reference Recordings, Speakers Corner, Analogue Productions, Classic Records, etc.

3) Real Time duplicated audiophile Cassettes such as MFSL, Aesthetic Audio, Audible Images, Sound Ideas, In Sync Laboratories, etc.

4) Most slow speed duplicated pre-recorded Reel to Reels from the mid 50's to 1960's.

5) The better SACDs especially from DSD or Analog masters.

6) The better DVD-Audios from 24Bit 96kHz or 192kHz PCM masters or analog masters.

7) The better pre-recorded commercial cassettes.

8) The later 1970's pre-recorded Reel to Reels.

9) The better HDCD CDs especially from Reference Recordings.

10) The better commercial LPs.

11) SACDs from low resolution 24 Bit 48kHz PCM or lower masters.

12) DVD-Audios from low resolution 24 Bit 48kHz PCM or lower masters.

13) The better CDs especially those from Telarc, Reference Recordings (non-HDCD), etc.

14-100) Poorly mastered recordings in any format. LP, Reel to Reel, Cassette, CD, HDCD, SACD or DVD-Audio. CD seems to have the most poorly mastered recordings but LP is close behind.

While I have listenable and sometimes enjoyable CD playback with perhaps the top 0.01% of CDs made. The percentage of fantastic LPs is closer to 1% to 2% of all LPs made, and over the years I am getting better at picking the right ones. And the best LPs sound so realistic and with a feeling of "being there" that even SACD cannot match. The best CDs by comparison sound like good recordings nothing more. Only the top LPs, Cassettes, Reel to Reels, SACDs and LPs could ever fool me into believing I am hearing real musicians in my listening room. I do not believe CD will ever be able to do this, of course I didn't believe that any CD would ever be listenable. Perhaps in another 20-30 years? I really doubt it though; it's just too much to ask poor CD to do. YMMV.

"Music is love"
Teresa

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