Actually...

Posted by soundnut (A) on October 11, 2005 at 12:09:49

In Reply to: Re: Huh... posted by Rick on October 11, 2005 at 06:26:50:

Here are the specs of a cheap (and not particularly good) Philips consumer CD recorder:

Frequency response - 2 Hz - 22.050 Hz
Playback S/N (A weighted) - 100 dB
Playback S/N - 100 dB
Playback dynamic range CDR - 95 (90) dB
Playback dynamic range CD - 90 dB
Playback THD CDR - 88 dB = 0.0033%
Playback THD CD - 85 dB = 0.0056%
Channel separation - 100 dB
Recording S/N (A weighted) - 98 dB
Recording S/N digital without SRC - equal to source
Recording dynamic range - 92 dB
Recording THD+S/N - 85 dB (0.0056%)

Cassette frequency response varies with most decks, but a TASCAM 122 3-head deck for instance, has a frequency response of 25-20 kHz (+/- 3 dB) with metal tape, a top S/N ratio of 80 dB (Dolby C) and wow & flutter of less than 0.04% Pretty good for a cassette deck.

I looked quite a lot on the web for the specs of a higher-end Nak deck, but couldn't locate them.

Even in a very best-case scenario, I have serious doubts whether a cassette could have a 2 Hz - 22.050 Hz frequency response, a -100 dB S/N ratio, a -90 dB dynamic range, 0.0056% THD, and immeasurable wow & flutter.

And, if it's a not brand-new tape, you will get less quality than when it was new.

Saying something is intrinsically better because it is analog or better because it's digital, is a moot argument. Bob Ludwig, one of the most respected mastering engineers in the business, is a proponent of digital. Not all digital, but properly recorded digital. Both sides have their detractors and cheerleaders.

If cassette wins for you, great. Enjoy. It's all about the music.

Bob :-)

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

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)

You can not post to an archived thread.