Travis In Austin

The remastered version of Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" further reinforces this as one of the best sounding rock records ever.... a reference recording for any system testing too! Mark Knopfler just finished SACD 5.1 remix - one of the few tastefully done IMO! I agree, Brothers in Arms in a great sounding LP, one of my favorites of all time. However, neither the original or the SACD remix are pure digital. Both had to be converted to analog in order for them to obtain the sound they were looking for. Whether the sound they were after was how it sounded in the studio is not really the issue, it just shows the limitations of digital. On the other hand, Dire Straits' "Brother's In Arms" from around 1985 or so, was all digital and is one of the best sounding rock records ever. So, I really don't care whether a recording is all-analog or all-digital or a hybrid. It's what comes out the speakers that matters. Chuck Ainly, who did the 5.1 remix at Knopfler's studio stated: As an aside, readers will certainly be intrigued to know that this hybrid and arguably convoluted D-to-A-to-D-to-A-to-D signal routing, by coincidence, actually mirrors what Neil Dorfsman undertook in 1985 with the original stereo album. The main architectural difference when comparing the two respective approaches being the intermediate tracking into Nuendo at 24-bit 96kHz resolution. The original album, which I consider to be a masterpiece, was mixed in a SSL4000 analogue console from the analogue outputs of the DASH 3324, says Ainlay. However, I would still consider that to be an all-digital album. To be honest, at the time, there was no way of doing a pure DDD album, so the analogue stage of mixing through a console was never differentiated on the CD jewelbox. Anyway, apart from a few analogue slave reels, there was never any analogue tape storage stage where you would lose it, so to speak. Travis

Ben, I think where the "truest to source" issue came up is from the quote from Ray Charles (GRHS) I included where he said what he was after in terms of sound. You are correct in that Mr. Charles did not say he was looking for what it sounded like in the studio, he said what he was after was the most natural sound. He went on to say that digital did not do it for him. I think people have taken Ray's comment about what he was looking for out of context and misinterpreted it to mean as close to live as possible. Travis

I would be up for two of the blown up LS if you are going to do a run. Of course I hope Amy does not jump in here at some point to ruin the whole thing by talking about copyright []

JDM and Bigger, I understand the simlar points you raise, if the source/master is off, whethere it's digital (CD) or analog LP/Tape it is not going to make a difference, the end product is going to be off. However, the context of that interview with Ray Charles was what format he preferred recording in as well as the end product. He owed his own studio and fought tooth and nail any change over to digital recording. He used various tapes decks but ended up with state of the art MCI decks. He believed that analog/tape gave him the truest end result onto lp. His comment is perfectly clear about what his prefrence would be if he had to choose between an occasional pop and being clean. Thus his cd's are going to be AAD vs. ADD or DDD. As far as new recordings, if they are recorded in digital I agree that it makes no sense to get the lp, it's like taping a CD on Reel to Reel. I think most of the lesser CD's are going to be in the AAD or ADD format. Fortunately for vinyl lovers, some studios are going back to tape, or making a simultanious multi-track tape so it is recorded both in analog and digital. Travis

Dr. Who, Technically, you couldn't really "listen" to a 2" studio tape because it would have numerous tracks, at least 24, which would have to be mixed down to stereo, with each track adjusted to the right level. It would take hours to set up each song just to listen to it, and days to listen to an album's worth of music. However, I do agree that what that 2" tape is mixed down to (a 15 or 30 IPS 1/4" 2 track master) sounds better then any LP, CD, SACD or DVD-A that is produced down the line. From time to time these masters come up for sale on ebay and other places and I have been able to purchase a few, some are so high priced it is unbelievable so it is rare when I can get one. But you are correct, there is no better sound. Travis

In reviewing the numerous responses to Duke's post about his dumping his record collection it was interesting to see us analog guys line up against the digital folks. Regardless of what side you are on there is of course no way to convince someone what he/she is hearing is not what he is hearing. I compleatly agree that if it sounds good to you then that is the whole point of it all. I don't have the ears I used to, but to me lp's/tape sounds so much better the CD/SACD. If CD/SACD does it for you, then consider yourself lucky. However, don't fool yourself into thinking that you are not missing out on anything. The debate did remind me of a quote from Ray Charles about digital vs. analog that summed it up so much better then I could ever could, and when you read it with his signature voice in mind, you get such a good picture of it all. He said: "I have to tell you man. In listening to sound, I guess what I'm after is the closest thing that I can get to reality. Now, I know it's not going to be reality, cause the thing gotta go through wires and gotta go through filters and this and that. I understand all that. But what I really like is to get as close to the natural sound of the instruments as possible. That's why I like analog as opposed to digital. Because I don't give a shit what anybody tells you man, I know what you guys are going to tell me...'Oh yeah, but it's clean Ray!' Well it's clean but it don't got no balls!!!" - 1999 interview with Ray Charles by Michael Hobson of Classic Records This from a man who is acknowleged by almost all as the "Genius" and unlike all of us, had only his ears to rely upon in getting through life. So I guess when it comes right down to it I'm with Ray (GRHS), I don't care about all the techical jargon, the sampling rate, etc., or what anyone else says, and I don't mind an occassional pop or click, because CD's just "don't got no balls." Travis

Sorry to hear your lp's are going, he must be a great friend. You are almost right about all lp's started off as 1/2" tape. Actually, depending on the year, studio, etc., it was recorded on 1/4, 1/2, 1 or 2" tape. Just about all of it was then then mixed down and mastered onto 1/4 two track Ampex 456 or 499. From there a 2nd generation "master" was made which went to the cutter/lathe operation or a prerecorded reel to reel facility. I think everyone is wrong, good quality precorded R2R at 7.5 IPS sounds better then the same LP or CD. But don't tell anyone, prerecorded R2R is still pretty reasonably priced. One day I hope we can get forum member impressions on a comparision between LP/CD/Pre-recorded R2R. Maybe at an Indy treck. It would be interesting to see what everyone thought with a blind A/B/C test. Travis

Dr. C did you get your VTI sold yet? If not give me a buzz, tcwesq@texas.net. Travis

Great site, I have used it on a few items I am on the hunt for and it has come back with something potentially usefull everytime. Travis

Xman, I sent you an email.

You have email about your VRD's

I saw this listing on Ebay today http://cgi.ebay.com/Single-Walnut-Klipschorn-Loudspeaker_W0QQitemZ5843568204QQcategoryZ61378QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem for a single K Horn. This is about 20 minutes from my house so if any forum member is interested I would be happy to go check it out for you or pick it up. Travis

It looks like it was done with time lapse, that is, they cut an pasted the video to fit the music. When you look at the vegitation at the bottom of the screen it appears to move around rapidly like when they do time lapse. But it is COOL just the same. Travis

I must of missed your earlier post on this. Where was this show and what was the story behind it? You pick up any interesting news? Travis

Tex, I am in Austin. I tried to send you an email to request photos but it was blocked. Can you email me some photos? Thanks in advance, Travis

This is indeed sad news, and I will miss hearing from him. Travis

You are right! I guess Synth has the line on them. Thanks Travis

There are some Dynaco Mk. II's are for sale in my area for $250.00. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the mods he discussed, the price, etc. The description is as follows in blue: Completely rebuilt, excellent condition. The rebuild consisted of solid state rectification (full wave bridge) for the plate supply; the plate voltage now runs about 575v. I have dual 450uFd Mepco electrolytic caps in series to accommodate the higher plate voltage, so the total capacitance for the plate supply is 225uFd, substantially higher than the 15uFd stock multi cap. The bias supply has been beefed up with more filter capacitance and full wave rectification. All of the power for the input pentode and triode phase splitter (7199 tube) is separate from the output supply, again more filter capacitance. All supply caps have been bypassed with polystyrene caps and the signal path uses Resista resistors and Wonder caps all assembled with Wonder Solder. I eliminated the multi terminal strip in favor of single binding posts connected to the 4 ohm tap on the transformer, but this can be changed to accommodate other speaker impedances. I also have a heavy power switch located on the front of the unit for convenience. As far as the cages go, I have to look. I never used them because I thought it ran too hot and it looks cool to see the tubes anywayJ. The output tubes and VTL KT-99 and bias current is low at 30ma per tube. They work great it is just that my 2 year old daughter is way too curious and that could be really badL. The amps work and sound great and have been absolutely reliable for the last fifteen years and basically everything I did was the best available at the time. My thought was to get these to play with while I have some work done on my Mac Tube Amps, and then when I get those back maybe send these to Craig for an overhaul. Thanks in advance for your input. Travis

Joe, Two Virgins, in near mint condition, books for $150.00. As far as fakes, Introducing the Beatles has been counterfited so much that it is difficult to list all of the things to look for. Main things are, "Introducting the Beatles" should all be above the center hole. If "The Beatles" appears below the center hole, it's a fake. If the color green is missing from the rainbow VJ label, it is a fake. Then it gets more complex about whether it has an oval, vs. brackets logo, stereo vs. mono to know if it is fake or not.

Goldmine Record Album Price Guide by Tim Neely. Get me the label name, number and I will tell you what they are listed for. Travis

Nice to see another Forum member her in Austin, I wish you had these for sale last year. Good luck with your sale, they look very nice in the photos. Did you finish those yourself? Travis

Congratulations Patrick!!!! I know you have been searching quite awhile for those babys. Whoever you have look at those amps be very careful. You should be able to find a number of good mac techs who know what they are doing in L.A., or if you get up to the Bay Area much there are a couple. My preference has always been to find someone that says they can keep it "original" as possible, or "well they don't make those caps anymore and NOS are impossible to find, but in my experience X sounds exactly the same." Start to worry when they start talking about super expensive resistors, capacitors, etc. These "mods" can compleatly alter the sound of those amps. Most good Mac tube equipment techs will know this and their selling point will be that they are going to keep it original for you. A good tech will also tell you that they will look for any previously replaced components and determine whether they are appropriate or not. Half the battle in purchasing Mac tube stuff is finding a unit that has not been worked on, you know it is going to cost some money to get it up to specs, but at least the tech is going to work from a known starting point. I can't wait to see a post from you entitled "Hooked up MC30's Today" and the thrill I know you are going to have hearing them on your system. Again, congrats, Travis

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you Patrick Travis

With all the great reviews on the upgraded Blueberry, I am really looking forward to the arrival of the pCat amps he has coming. Travis

Leok, Where did you get your Basis wallmount? Do you remember what you paid? Travis