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Same thing for audio tapes. Inconvenient, sound like crap. At least, vinyl has something for it, it is also inconvenient and sounds like crap, but at least you

by GuB-42 5y ago

Same thing for audio tapes. Inconvenient, sound like crap. At least, vinyl has something for it, it is also inconvenient and sounds like crap, but at least you don't have to rewind them, and all the noise and distortion it introduces can be considered pleasant and "warm". Really, there is a good reason all these things are gone except for nostalgic purposes. Video game cartridges are actually practical, they are essentially read-only SSDs! Some even include specialized co-processors so they are more than just storage. While they were made with the electronics of their time, they are in essence, much more modern than disks or tape.

numpad0 5y ago
I think vinyl sounding terrible is bandwidth limiter or something missing in amplifier. Above 10 grands they sound not much different against high-res digital audio.
- tiahura 5y ago
  Perhaps they’re not using proper gold connectors.
  - numpad0 5y ago
    Yeah they should be using prefabulated ammulite casing...jokes aside vinyl shouldn't sound worse than CD et al at all. They just cost a halfway fortune to get working.
    - GuB-42 5y ago
      > vinyl shouldn't sound worse than CD et al at all CDs are slightly beyond the limits of human hearing, meaning that with proper mastering and output filters, you can't do better, though professionals may prefer higher resolution as it is easier to work with. It also means that below CD quality could be noticeable with trained ears. CD is 44.1 kHz, 16 bit stereo, or 1411 kbps. That's a lot to ask to a physical stylus riding a plastic groove. It may be possible with a laser turntable (these things exist) in a clean room, with a special precision-cut record, but why bother when a cheap digital system can do just as well. In fact, that's probably why laser turntables didn't catch on, they picked every speck of dust, and were already obsoleted by CDs. Now, if you enjoy vinyl for reasons other than high fidelity, that's fine. Like I said, some kind of distortion can be pleasant, but then, you are listening to your system, not the record. A bit like a guitarist whose amp is treated more like a part of his instrument rather than a device that reproduces exactly what it is being fed, but louder. And mechanical/analog systems have a certain charm that may not do the sound any good, but certainly contribute to the enjoyment.
mattl 5y ago
Audio cassettes sound good if you used a quality tape.
- adamc 5y ago
  If it hadn't deteriorated. Tape was not forever.
- tom_ 5y ago
  "Bored comedy writer", says your HN bio. And yet here you are, with this post, doing your best work.
  - mattl 5y ago
    Meh. Try a type IV metal tape. A lot of very very shit tape types out there but a quality format will last and be good.

by GuB-42 5y ago

numpad0 5y ago

I think vinyl sounding terrible is bandwidth limiter or something missing in amplifier. Above 10 grands they sound not much different against high-res digital audio.

tiahura 5y ago
Perhaps they’re not using proper gold connectors.
- numpad0 5y ago
  Yeah they should be using prefabulated ammulite casing...jokes aside vinyl shouldn't sound worse than CD et al at all. They just cost a halfway fortune to get working.
  - GuB-42 5y ago
    > vinyl shouldn't sound worse than CD et al at all CDs are slightly beyond the limits of human hearing, meaning that with proper mastering and output filters, you can't do better, though professionals may prefer higher resolution as it is easier to work with. It also means that below CD quality could be noticeable with trained ears. CD is 44.1 kHz, 16 bit stereo, or 1411 kbps. That's a lot to ask to a physical stylus riding a plastic groove. It may be possible with a laser turntable (these things exist) in a clean room, with a special precision-cut record, but why bother when a cheap digital system can do just as well. In fact, that's probably why laser turntables didn't catch on, they picked every speck of dust, and were already obsoleted by CDs. Now, if you enjoy vinyl for reasons other than high fidelity, that's fine. Like I said, some kind of distortion can be pleasant, but then, you are listening to your system, not the record. A bit like a guitarist whose amp is treated more like a part of his instrument rather than a device that reproduces exactly what it is being fed, but louder. And mechanical/analog systems have a certain charm that may not do the sound any good, but certainly contribute to the enjoyment.

mattl 5y ago

Audio cassettes sound good if you used a quality tape.

adamc 5y ago
If it hadn't deteriorated. Tape was not forever.
tom_ 5y ago
"Bored comedy writer", says your HN bio. And yet here you are, with this post, doing your best work.
- mattl 5y ago
  Meh. Try a type IV metal tape. A lot of very very shit tape types out there but a quality format will last and be good.