Sound Quality _ this is what has gone wrong with CDs and music today...

[ACEtone]

not that I would take the wackypedia entry as gospel but:

"the term was applied more loosely to any mid-level stereo system. In the 2000s, hi-fi for expensive high-quality home-audio electronics was largely replaced with high-end audio".

So my take is not far from the truth - mid-level is hi-fi - well then I have two completely different sounding amps that are hi-fi. Don't I. They bot were classified as such at the time they were manufactured and sold!

thanks for the clarification! (???)

Standards do not necessarily result in something good.
CDs were meant to be 48k but compromised upon by corp.s to be 44.1k so they could cash in more.

16rpm vinyl died a death because it sounded crap presumably.

The 8 track cassette lost out to the compact cassette - longer tape less width - less 'fidelity' - music listeners have been screwed since day one of audio reproduction.
Always a compromise - more minutes - more money for the company. You can look at it thinking that there was benign intent - I suspect not, but that is just me.

Same thing with internet bandwidth. Everything is in place to give a decent wide band width to most of the planet but it is being throttled.

iTunes made a big deal of their 256kbps aac iTunes plus. Not impressive. If they wanted to do something good they would make wav/aiff at full resolution available. But they and other music distribution services are hampered by the big 5. (not Prince Buster!)
I would be delighted to have my stuff on iTunes downloadable at full audio resolution - such as my likka studio is capable of. But no...

A big part of what music listeners - serious ones such as the ones commenting here - have to deal with is making the music they like sound good regardless of the source - vinyl, CD, mp3, aac, wav, aiff, etc.

So what is hi-fi these days?

[AnorakTrev]

I don`t agree about hi-end and Jamaican music being a waste of money !If I can listen to it at the best fidelity that I can afford,that is my perogative.I CAN afford too.

I do agree that the way that this music SHOULD be listened to is in the open air,through a sound system.But it just isn`t possible in my back yard !!! ( And I`m not in Jamaica. )

As an aside ,I don`t " daily manicure ",I`m too busy listening to my music and enjoying it.The money I save on manicures goes to buying more tunes

[MightyZ]

I wish my sound system looked as cool as that one 6anbatte!

If I am not mistaken those cabs were handbuilt by Coxsone himself!

MightyZ

[6anbatte]

I wish my sound system **looked** as cool as that one 6anbatte!

LOL. Excellent, MightyZ. Mind you *looks is deceiving*!

Actually, I wonder what we'd think of the sound quality now and also how many people there are around nowadays who could cut it with that *Sound*. Not many, I reckon.

[MightyZ]

Sure - it would be interesting to know what that system actually sounded like, but it was probably perfect for the sounds of the day!

MightyZ

[6anbatte]

Back on topic.

If anyone is interested in hearing how good CDs can sound I suggest checking out the following (via a decent CD player, of course );

Peter Erskine - Nguyên Lê - Michel Benita - **["Dream Flight"](http://www.actmusic.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=247)**

Nik Bartsch's Ronin -**["Holon"](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holon-Nik-Barts ... 622&sr=1-1)**

Bill Frisell **["East West"](http://www.amazon.co.uk/East-West-Bill- ... 723&sr=1-5)**

[AnorakTrev]

@ 6anbatte

Have just received a copy of " Holon " last night. WOW . You can even hear the direction of the drummers` brushes on the snare drum. Exceptional clarity,dynamics that have you jumping off the sofa with their attack.Recommended listening in a chilled ,slightly jazz stylee (tu)

[6anbatte]

Hey Trevor

Excellent news!

If that's the case you really must get **["Dream Flight"](http://www.actmusic.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=247)**

I bought that the other day and genuinely do believe it's the best sounding (on a sonic level) CD I have ever heard. Astonishing.

[MightyZ]

I'm just listening to Winston Francis - Too Experienced from the Mr Fix It album, the vocals sound slightly distorted and I certainly can't tell which direction the drummer is hitting the hi hat from
But hell - this is what music is about - great songs - great singers and great musicians!
I respect that it is the listeners choice as to whether he wants to go heavily into the search for clarity etc, but I think there is a big danger that you will miss what is really important in Reggae music. It is about the vibe and that can be felt on even the most basic equipment!
If you have the money then sure - spend it on Hi Fi - better than some carbon belching status symbol car, but don't forget that there are deeper things to consider. This music is about spreading the message of righteousness and love - and that can be heard on anything from a transistor radio to a hi end audiophile set up!

MightyZ

[Return of Jesco]

Couldn't agree more MightyZ, I think brains and ears do a lot more filling in the gaps than people realise so even after getting the latest in audiophile equipment after a while you stop listening to the system and just listen to the music...

Jesco