I'm extremely happy with the capability of my Redbook setup for the most part. The problem as I see it is the old "garbage in = garbage out" adage. If the studios keep turning out a POOR product it wont matter how resolved the output is.
I have remastered Redbook CD's that are nothing short of incredible and SACD's that I am less than impressed with. The more I read about what compression and the "Loudness War" the more I wonder if the whole industry isnt going the other way. Please check out the "Turn Me Up" link at the bottom of the Agon home page for more info. Lots of good info out there but the bottom line seems to be that most of the recording engineers are being pushed into turning out product geared for iPods and low quality MP3 downloads. Make it louder and the kids will buy it. The cost is dynamics, range and in essence fidelity. I have been looking for a book that rates the sonic quality of CD recordings; some kind of roadmap that will tell me if its going to have that special sound or if its going to be another waste of $16. So far nothing. I think we are a dying breed
I have remastered Redbook CD's that are nothing short of incredible and SACD's that I am less than impressed with. The more I read about what compression and the "Loudness War" the more I wonder if the whole industry isnt going the other way. Please check out the "Turn Me Up" link at the bottom of the Agon home page for more info. Lots of good info out there but the bottom line seems to be that most of the recording engineers are being pushed into turning out product geared for iPods and low quality MP3 downloads. Make it louder and the kids will buy it. The cost is dynamics, range and in essence fidelity. I have been looking for a book that rates the sonic quality of CD recordings; some kind of roadmap that will tell me if its going to have that special sound or if its going to be another waste of $16. So far nothing. I think we are a dying breed