After 30 years the battle of the formats rages on

**Soundminded** · 05-06-2012, 07:09 PM

Offered without comment (at least for now);

http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/4433/full

Be sure to read comments by Michael Fremer and Sam Tellig.

**Mike Lavigne** · 05-06-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Soundminded

Offered without comment (at least for now);

http://standpointmag.co.uk/node/4433/full

Be sure to read comments by Michael Fremer and Sam Tellig.

it will be interesting how many posts on this thread will contain references to opinions based on recent listening perceptions of relatively high end vinyl.

**cjfrbw** · 05-06-2012, 07:52 PM

If somebody makes their living with digital, you would not expect them to say anything else. On the other hand, he goes "luddite" on the mp3 and ipod crowd, the same way he claimed the vinyl crowd were deluded luddites.

I listen to compressed a fair amount, through a Yamanha receiver in Santa Cruz, and it sounds pretty darned good for what it is. No comparison to vinyl, but it is a lot better than starving.

**MylesBAstor** · 05-06-2012, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Lavigne

it will be interesting how many posts on this thread will contain references to opinions based on recent listening perceptions of relatively high end vinyl.

I suspect you already know the answer to that question Mike

It's like I say. If the masses ever heard a properly set-up and modern R2R, they could never go back and listen to digital.

**Robh3606** · 05-06-2012, 09:07 PM

If the masses ever heard a properly set-up and modern R2R, they could never go back and listen to digital.

Seems to me that's always been the "first" choice if you could get the software. That ship sailed long ago.

Rob

**MylesBAstor** · 05-07-2012, 03:36 AM

Originally Posted by Robh3606

Seems to me that's always been the "first" choice if you could get the software. That ship sailed long ago.

Rob

Maybe as a mass market medium but you're gong to see more and more music on R2R tape! Problem is always going to be that the software will be expensive since tape/reels alone are $100 for an album.

**rbbert** · 05-07-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by MylesBAstor

Maybe as a mass market medium but you're gong to see more and more music on R2R tape! Problem is always going to be that the software will be expensive since tape/reels alone are $100 for an album.

FWIW, "more and more" than hardly any is still hardly any.

**Soundminded** · 05-07-2012, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by MylesBAstor

I suspect you already know the answer to that question Mike

It's like I say. If the masses ever heard a properly set-up and modern R2R, they could never go back and listen to digital.

Interesting that with all the reviews, comparisons, opinions of phono and cd players I've never read or heard any critiques of the sound of tape equipment. Does Otari sound better than Ampex? Which tape heads sound best, Nortronics or some other brand? Whose electronics sounds best, Crown or TEAC? Which tape formulation sounds better 3M, TDK, Maxell? Which sounds better CRO2 or conventional ferrous oxide? Is Dolby A, B, or C an improvement or degradation? Nobody talks about the relative sound of FM tuners either (maybe FM wasn't to be taken seriously anyway.) If for some audiophiles analog R2R is the reference standard, why are their no reviews of the sound, debates, flame wars like there are for other classes of playback equipment? This could be a whole new unexplored area of discussion (somehow I don't think it will be.)

**Mike Lavigne** · 05-07-2012, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Soundminded

Interesting that with all the reviews, comparisons, opinions of phono and cd players I've never read or heard any critiques of the sound of tape equipment. Does Otari sound better than Ampex? Which tape heads sound best, Nortronics or some other brand? Whose electronics sounds best, Crown or TEAC? Which tape formulation sounds better 3M, TDK, Maxell? Which sounds better CRO2 or conventional ferrous oxide? Is Dolby A, B, or C an improvement or degradation? Nobody talks about the relative sound of FM tuners either (maybe FM wasn't to be taken seriously anyway.) If for some audiophiles analog R2R is the reference standard, why are their no reviews of the sound, debates, flame wars like there are for other classes of playback equipment? This could be a whole new unexplored area of discussion (somehow I don't think it will be.)

here are 2 Forum's (one is right here on WBF) with quite a bit of information on RTR. you are not going to see much agnst or conflict.

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/forumd...8-Reel-To-Reel

http://www.tapeproject.com/smf/index.php

**Mike Lavigne** · 05-07-2012, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by MylesBAstor

I suspect you already know the answer to that question Mike

It's like I say. If the masses ever heard a properly set-up and modern R2R, they could never go back and listen to digital.

i would add really high end vinyl to your 'properly set-up RTR'. however, i still very much enjoy digital for what it is and listen to it often; my gripe comes from comments on analog formats from those less than fully informed about it at the highest levels.