If CDs are obsolete, why old CD players are still expensive?

[abdo123]

Yes, I understand.

But I was assuming if they bothered to dig up the original, uncompressed digital masters to make the LP, they could have easily released it in, say, 24/192kHz, too, to get additional sales, but I guess not.

That’s what MQA has been doing for the last 3 years, they made some really awesome remasters.

But generally there isn’t a lot of interest in remaster as far as i recall. But some re-releases emerge every now and then.

 

[watchnerd]

I know there are a lot more than 2 vinyl collectors on ASR. I'm just saying, however many people there are, are a very small minority of the world's vinyl collectors. I don't doubt most vinyl collectors on ASR listen to vinyl for reasons specifically disregarding sound. But, of course that would be the case- it's ASR!

I have no stats to support this, but based on who I see and what I hear them talking about in the used record store, my guess is that a lot of the retail collectors are in it for reasons other than sound.

I also think if I asked them...

"Who is Michael Fremer?"

...they would have no idea.

But they can rattle off the various pressings, and collectibility, of Bowie's "Dark Star" off the top of their heads.

 

[watchnerd]

That’s what MQA has been doing for the last 3 years, they made some really awesome remasters.

But generally there isn’t a lot of interest in remaster as far as i recall. But some re-releases emerge every now and then.

So is the 2019 clear 2 x LP set of "Light of Day" just an un-remastered reissue of the original 1998 LP?

 

[xykreinov]

I have no stats to support this, but based on who I see and what I hear them talking about in the used record store, my guess is that a lot of the retail collectors are in it for reasons other than sound.

I also think if I asked them...

"Who is Michael Fremer?"

...they would have no idea.

But they can rattle off the various pressings, and collectibility, of Bowie's "Dark Star" off the top of their heads.

I never said sound was the paramount reason, just that it is a popular and often, by most vinyl collectors, considered a valid reason. I agree it's probably not as big as the more romantic reasons. But, that doesn't mean it's not there alongside them, even if in the background.

 

[abdo123]

So is the 2019 clear 2 x LP set of "Light of Day" just an un-remastered reissue of the original 1998 LP?

i dont think a vinyl ‘print’ can survive for 20 years, so I don’t think it’s a copy.

 

[watchnerd]

i dont think a vinyl ‘print’ can survive for 20 years, so I don’t think it’s a copy.

Sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear.

I wasn't referring to the lacquer or stamper.

I mean, since it was originally mastered for LP in 1998, the digital source file hasn't been re-mastered for LP in 20+ years.

Which isn't the case for a lot of other pop/rock LP reissues.

 

[Frank Dernie]

I really see no use case for audio only CD players.

I have one so I use it.
In fact I have 7, so if one stops working I am still fine. I use at least one of them every day.
I have 2 bluray players, they are a bit slow for audio.
I won't need a new one in my lifetime I hope.

 

[Frank Dernie]

The reason why Vinyl is having a comeback is because you can’t dynamically compress tracks on Vinyl in the same dramatic way you can digitally.

You could, if you wanted. Vinyl has to be compressed before cutting anyway. The thing is, in the absence of an easy to use portable or car record player (yes I know some have been made in the distant past) we know most people buying LPs will play them in a reasonably quiet environment. More compression, so the quiet bits don't get drowned by the noise of the car/environment, are not necessary.
Sadly, and ironically, therefore the medium that doesn't need compression usually gets loads more than the medium that has to have it in order to be cut and played

 

[watchnerd]

I never said sound was the paramount reason, just that it is a popular and often, by most vinyl collectors, considered a valid reason. I agree it's probably not as big as the more romantic reasons. But, that doesn't mean it's not there alongside them, even if in the background.

Sure, I agree.

Now the cassette revivalists, on the other hand, are nutters.

 

[kokono]

What is the general consensus here : do cd players like dac sound the same too?
IME there is quiet a difference between stand alone cd players and blue ray players, apart from the fact that are slow and noisy, analog out is at best OK.

 

[watchnerd]

You could, if you wanted. Vinyl has to be compressed before cutting anyway. The thing is, in the absence of an easy to use portable or car record player (yes I know some have been made in the distant past) we know most people buying LPs will play them in a reasonably quiet environment. More compression, so the quiet bits don't get drowned by the noise of the car/environment, are not necessary.
Sadly, and ironically, therefore the medium that doesn't need compression usually gets loads more than the medium that has to have it in order to be cut and played

It's a good thing all that extra added resonance on LP playback can act as a 'dynamic expander'.

 

[watchnerd]

What is the general consensus here : do cd players like dac sound the same too?
IME there is quiet a difference between stand alone cd players and blue ray players, apart from the fact that are slow and noisy, analog out is at best OK.

Are you assuming one is using the DAC inside the CD player, or just using it as a transport with digital out?

Some old CD players had crappy DACs, by modern standards.

 

[Harmonie]

Just for the artwork on the sleeve, a vinyl will remain a collector.
I wonder how the large owners like 5-10.000 LP's are doing now.
They have organised their whole home decoration around it and surely haven't ripped the LP's, did they ?

 

[abdo123]

So is the 2019 clear 2 x LP set of "Light of Day" just an un-remastered reissue of the original 1998 LP?

"pressed by Optimal Media GmbH from new set of master discs for the first time since 2003 (engineered by Ian Sefchick in Capitol Studios in US) "

Yep the album was remastered for this re-release

Source: https://www.madonnadiscography.pl/articles/ray-of-light

 

[anmpr1]

Does anyone equalise for each album(or each track)? Really? Truly? View attachment 101107

That was Mark Levinson's Cello (Audio Palette) thing, and later his Master Class software. I believe he got his ideas from Dick Burwen. If you can find his old interviews or Web site then you can read about why you should be doing minute EQ adjustments on different tracks, in order to bring out the goodness that the final mastering hides. That sort of thing is too much for me. I'm a set it and forget in kind of guy. I'll listen around any flaws. Which is good for me, given what used Audio Palletes are going for.

 

[watchnerd]

That was Mark Levinson's Cello (Audio Palette) thing, and later his Master Class software. I believe he got his ideas from Dick Burwen. If you can find his old interviews or Web site then you can read about why you should be doing minute EQ adjustments on different tracks, in order to bring out the goodness that the final mastering hides. That sort of thing is too much for me. I'm a set it and forget in kind of guy. I'll listen around any flaws. Which is good for me, given what used Audio Palletes are going for.

$17K last time I looked.

 

[abdo123]

For people who want 'Data' on the fact that Vinyls in general are less dynamically compressed, just search for albums that have been recently re-released on Vinyl on http://dr.loudness-war.info/

Since I spoke about Ray of light here is the CD version:

And here is the 2019 re-release:

 

[watchnerd]

Vinyls

I stopped reading when I read "vinyls".

 

[anmpr1]

$17K last time I looked.

Mark would sell it to you however you wanted it. He sold it by the knob. A lot of money for next to nothing. Even more if you wanted some dials with your knobs. LOL

 

[JW001]

These are two players that I have and consider pretty good, each in their own way. Still available at a reasonable cost.

• Sony UBP-X800: a universal player with support for CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, BluRay Audio. No analog output, but sends DSD bitstream over HDMI if the AVR supports it. For 2 channel setups, optical output has to suffice. Available new ($300 at Amazon) and used, a little cheaper.
• Sony BDP S590: supports CD, SACD, BluRay Audio. Great as a SACD Ripping Machine . In addition to HDMI and optical, has analog output. Available used on eBay for $30 - $40.