Hampton Source Discussion

[Hicks]

When I hear AUDs, a lot of the time I hear weird phase problems, really thick frequency bands and conversly really thin ones... excessive bass, mids or highs, or the tonal qualities of the microphones.

I'm glad the tapers are out there doing their thing, and as a Tascam employee I love to see our gear in the field, I just think that with the band distributing quality recordings people who are seeking out AUDs are doing so because that's the sound they're looking to hear, it's personal preference not a decision based on the sonic qualities of the reording.

Of course the vast majority of AUDs have issues, but when you get that perfectly dialed in AUD where you can really hear the shape of the room and it puts you right there at the show. . .  no SBD can top that IMO.

Those rare "perfect" AUDs like 7-2-98 or 6-26-94 can't really be improved upon by a SBD alone IMO, possibly with a matrix though.

[ytowndan]

The split AKG's from 3/6 blow the SBD out of the water. 

[mattstick]

Again, I think those are personal preferences based on the fact that you've been listening to AUDs for years. 

Your ears are "trained" to hear the show from that perspective.  Hand 2 CDs to someone who's never heard a Phish recording, an AUD and a SBD, ask them which they prefer - 999/1000 people would choose the SBD.

[DoW]

Again, I think those are personal preferences based on the fact that you've been listening to AUDs for years. 

Your ears are "trained" to hear the show from that perspective.  Hand 2 CDs to someone who's never heard a Phish recording, an AUD and a SBD, ask them which they prefer - 999/1000 people would choose the SBD.

let me first say that I agree that it is personal preference.

BUT hand 2 Cds to a person that has been to a Phish show and lived the experience and then see which they prefer.  I don't want to guess the percentage but it is not 99.9% for the SBD imo.

[antelope19]

This is begging for a poll.

:looks in redrums direction:



:-D

[AfterMidnight]

"Those rare "perfect" AUDs like 7-2-98 or 6-26-94 can't really be improved upon by a SBD alone IMO, possibly with a matrix though."

Just found 7-2-98 on bt.etree.org can't wait to hear it.

[ytowndan]

I agree that it is a matter of personal preference.  I'll always prefer a *good* AUD over a SBD, but I'm sure there's exceptions.  I just can't think of any off the top of my head. 

This is begging for a poll.

:looks in redrums direction:



:-D

Yeah, I'm curious to see what everyone's opinion is here.  This topic has come up many times, but never in a poll form (to my knowledge).   

[mattstick]

I can pretty much tell you which way the poll will lean on this board, where many of us have been listening to AUDs since the cassette days.

[antelope19]

I can pretty much tell you which way the poll will lean on this board, where many of us have been listening to AUDs since the cassette days.

You're absolutely right.  But even back then I treasured my FM copy of the Clifford Ball because it was the cleanest sounding tape I had.  BTW, I will take a SBD over an AUD every time.  Even the not-so-good PH SBD's from 2003.  There, I said it.  Too bad you can't smite me anymore BITCHES!!!!   :evil:   :-)

[AfterMidnight]

I can pretty much tell you which way the poll will lean on this board, where many of us have been listening to AUDs since the cassette days.

what are cassettes?

[Hicks]

Again, I think those are personal preferences based on the fact that you've been listening to AUDs for years. 

Your ears are "trained" to hear the show from that perspective.  Hand 2 CDs to someone who's never heard a Phish recording, an AUD and a SBD, ask them which they prefer - 999/1000 people would choose the SBD.

Is someone who has never heard a Phish recording even qualified to judge the difference though?

I suppose to the untrained ear a CD sounds "better" than an LP because the it may sound more "clear", as opposed to an audiophile type who would term it as "sterile". 

[mattstick]

I think even untrained listeners can appreciate the sonic qualities of LP vs. CD on well-tuned systems.

I agree that someone who doesn't know Phish may not be a qualified judge, but this was all hypothetical stuff off the top of my head, and finding a Phish fan does'nt listen to AUDs is gonna be tough.

[Hicks]

I think even untrained listeners can appreciate the sonic qualities of LP vs. CD on well-tuned systems.

I agree that someone who doesn't know Phish may not be a qualified judge, but this was all hypothetical stuff off the top of my head, and finding a Phish fan does'nt listen to AUDs is gonna be tough.

I know dudes that post on audiophile forums that swear up and down that CDs are superior to LPs.   Go fig.

[ytowndan]

I think even untrained listeners can appreciate the sonic qualities of LP vs. CD on well-tuned systems.

I agree that someone who doesn't know Phish may not be a qualified judge, but this was all hypothetical stuff off the top of my head, and finding a Phish fan does'nt listen to AUDs is gonna be tough.

I know dudes that post on audiophile forums that swear up and down that CDs are superior to LPs.   Go fig.

Weird.  I thought that the exact opposite was common knowledge.   

[Hicks]

I think even untrained listeners can appreciate the sonic qualities of LP vs. CD on well-tuned systems.

I agree that someone who doesn't know Phish may not be a qualified judge, but this was all hypothetical stuff off the top of my head, and finding a Phish fan does'nt listen to AUDs is gonna be tough.

I know dudes that post on audiophile forums that swear up and down that CDs are superior to LPs.   Go fig.

Weird.  I thought that the exact opposite was common knowledge.   

It is, but there's always that one dude who's gotta be the heretic.