Re: Comment by Mark Levinson

Posted by soundnut (A) on October 11, 2005 at 11:38:54

In Reply to: Comment by Mark Levinson posted by Rick on October 11, 2005 at 07:21:29:

I know cassettes can sound very good indeed. But when I record a CD, it sounds (to my ears at least) identical to the original. A cassette can come remarkably close on my properly aligned 3-head decks with good tape stock, but a CD still sounds slightly superior to my ears.

Perhaps Mr. Levinson was comparing a cassette to early CDs, some of which sounded harsh. But in my experience, home-recorded CDs are even a bit better overall than the open-reel machines I've used at work and home. (We have six Otari MX5050Bs at work, and I currently have two TEACs at home.) I've also used Revox PR99s, Ampex 300s, & Sony open-reel decks. I personally would take CD recording over any of them.

That isn't to say that I don't like tape, just that I prefer recording to CD. "Soul" is a kind of subjective term. Perhaps tape warms up the signal a bit, and that may be the thing that triggers the brain into interpreting it as "better". Many people don't record to digital properly either. Unlike tape, driving a CD recording into even the slightest clipping has adverse effects. And even many prerecorded CDs are recorded too loud to begin with.

As for me, I'll continue doing most of my recording to CD. Your mileage may vary and all that. Happy listening!

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Does analogue cassette has more resolution than CD ? - Rick 05:47:06 10/09/05 (17)

CD's more "accurate", but cassettes on good decks still have the "analog" warmth and ease (nt) - docw 10:05:43 10/11/05 (0)

Re: Does analogue cassette has more resolution than CD ? - Hilage 20:50:49 10/09/05 (0)

NO! - grhughes 08:57:27 10/09/05 (0)

If you mean, as a recording medium will cassette sound better? - soundnut 07:44:49 10/09/05 (13)

Re: If you mean, as a recording medium will cassette sound better? - Bob Track 09:01:49 10/10/05 (12)

Technically speaking, you're right. - soundnut 12:49:46 10/10/05 (11)

Re: Technically speaking, you're right. - Rick 13:25:23 10/10/05 (10)

Huh... - soundnut 14:15:43 10/10/05 (9)

Re: Huh... - Hilage 21:20:00 10/14/05 (0)

Comment by Mark Levinson - Rick 07:21:29 10/11/05 (3)

Re: Comment by Mark Levinson - oldglide 13:05:35 10/11/05 (1)

Tapes - kawzx7 12:24:08 10/12/05 (0)

Re: Comment by Mark Levinson - soundnut 11:38:54 10/11/05 (0)

Re: Huh... - Rick 06:26:50 10/11/05 (3)

Actually... - soundnut 12:09:49 10/11/05 (2)

Re: Actually... - youweirdo 00:30:52 10/12/05 (1)

Yup. - soundnut 05:23:52 10/12/05 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Comment by Mark Levinson - soundnut 11:38:54 10/11/05 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.