The CD turns 40!

Sean Trane wrote: Yessss, my post was meant to be ironic (as the cartoon I posted hinted), ...

verslibre wrote: Happy 40th, Compact Disc! I'll keep on buyin' ya!

I usually avoid these Analog vs. Digital debates as they always get very technical and move away from subjectivity, for starters. And there's no way to convince an analog listener that digital is just as good or better in some respects, and vice versa. But someone brought up listening fatigue with CDs. I don't know what type of DAC they have, amplifiers or speakers. And honestly, I don't care, as this is totally in the realm of the subjective. Shrill top end to some is magic, while to others it's anathema. My everyday playback is on older Krell mono blocks with a Krell pre amp. My speakers are electrostat Martin Logan Summit Xs. My subs are Definitive. As far as listening fatigue, yes it happens, but only when I play it at very low volumes. A standard feature with most class A systems. But cranked up to 50 to 70 dbs, or more, and I've hit the sweet spot, be it analog or digital. I find very little listening difference aside from variance in dynamic range when comparing the two. And I have no skin in the game. A well mixed and mastered CD is just as good to me as a well mixed and mastered vinyl record. With no preference or preconceived bias, they are both excellent sounding. But it comes down to the equipment they are played on, not so much the medium, in my humble opinion.

Edited by SteveG - October 06 2022 at 08:46

No, I'm just a humble PA member with a little more experience.

Catcher10 wrote: verslibre wrote: Happy 40th, Compact Disc! I'll keep on buyin' ya!  Me2.......for a $1 each...

I got my first player in late summer or fall 1990 because I was filling in on a folk music radio show in Vancouver and had discovered all sorts of new music not readily available on vinyl.  I don't have very trained ears.  I feel like a really loud rocking song can sound better on vinyl.  But the convenience of CDs wins, and my tolerance for clicks and pops is nil at this point.  Ultimately I sold all my CDs to declutter and just listen on itunes and other streaming...my hearing isn't great and mp3 or mp4 is fine for me at this point!

David_D wrote: I agree with you, SteveG, that sound preferences are to large degree subjective, but I doubt that  they're entirely subjective. I think that due to anatomy most people are most happy with the most natural sound. Anyway, the most important is surely how oneself experiences digital vs analog audio quality.

So this is an interesting comment. Natural Sound is, IMHO, a cloud I just can't grab a hold of. What IS Natural. Different recording environment yield different acoustics. But oops, watch out...your listening room isn't the same as the recording room. You can see where this might lead. better to say Most Representative Sound if I might suggest.

JD wrote: David_D wrote: I agree with you, SteveG, that sound preferences are to large degree subjective, but I doubt that  they're entirely subjective. I think that due to anatomy most people are most happy with the most natural sound. Anyway, the most important is surely how oneself experiences digital vs analog audio quality. So this is an interesting comment. Natural Sound is, IMHO, a cloud I just can't grab a hold of. What IS Natural. Different recording environment yield different acoustics. But oops, watch out...your listening room isn't the same as the recording room. You can see where this might lead. better to say Most Representative Sound if I might suggest. But I understand what you're meaning to say.

Dunno bout you guyz but I'm putting together another CD hors d'oeuvre!