Playback quality from best to lesser

Don C

Well-Known Member
Jul 20, 2013
208
35
333
USA
1). reel to reel tape. Back around the 80’s I heard a John Curl modified Studer, 2” wide, 30 ips, two track , 2nd generation Mark Levinson Jazz recording play back and it was the best quality playback ever. The sound field just jumped in realism. This was at a store called the audiophile sound studio near Madison Wi, and were part of tho original Mark Levinson HQD system. The store went under in the 80’s.
2) LP playback on several expensive, properly setup, turntables were next best playback quality. The results are dependent on setup .
3). SACD playback on top Sony SACD player. Similar to LP on some SACDs only.
4) A few High Rez digital streaming recordings. Only a few beat out regular CD playback. Highly dependent on particular recording version.
5) CD playback with a great D/A converter. Take you pick of the many makes.
6) everything else

Any comments?
 
Last edited:

Addicted to hifi

VIP/Donor
Sep 8, 2020
4,610
2,039
265
52
Australia
1). reel to reel tape. Back around the 80’s I heard a John Curl modified Studer, 2” wide, 30 ips, two track , 2nd generation Mark Levinson Jazz recording play back and it was the best quality playback ever. The sound field just jumped in realism. This was at a store called the audiophile sound studio near Madison Wi, and were part of tho original Mark Levinson HQD system. The store went under in the 80’s.
2) LP playback on several expensive, properly setup, turntables were next best playback quality. The results are dependent on setup .
3). SACD playback on top Sony SACD player. Similar to LP on some SACDs only.
4) A few High Rez digital streaming recordings. Only a few beat out regular CD playback. Highly dependent on particular recording version.
5) CD playback with a great D/A converter. Take you pick of the many makes.
6) everything else

Any comments?
I agree with your order,except for me streaming would be last.
 

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