Home  Hi-Fi Audio Reviews  Audiophile Shows Partner Mags  News       

 

Enjoy the Music.com

Issue 153    November 2017
A Ceasefire Between Analog And Digital Music Format Lovers 
Editorial By Alan Sircom

 

Hi-Fi+ Issue 153 November 2017

 

  We have seen unprecedented change in the front-ends of our systems in recent years. CD waxed and waned, where LP had the opposite trajectory. As to 'non-physical media' we've moved from low quality MP3 to high-resolution PCM, DSD, and now MQA files, while even the way we acquire that music has shifted from 'own' to 'loan' as we moved to streaming services like TIDAL and Spotify.

The usual narrative here implies massive shifts in the listening tastes of music lovers. It's like we all get an email every couple of months saying something like "Hi! Music here. Stop listening to downloaded music and start streaming now." And we all obey. Seeing trends and patterns in the way we acquire and listen to music as concrete and universal change is extremely convenient for pundits and those of us with column inches to fill, but isn't a true reflection of the actions of the modern music lover.

In fact, what we are seeing emerge in today's audio world is an "it's all good" approach of surprising acceptance. The pitched battles between digital and analogue supporters are not resolved, but there appears to be a lengthy ceasefire in place. It's not unusual today for an audiophile to be happy to take a multi-format approach to their music replay, incorporating LP, downloads, ripped CDs, and online streaming services into one seamless approach to listening. Recently, we've even seen tape make a comeback (with both open-reel as the 'fidelity' approach, and cassette paradoxically as the format of choice for gigging bands wanting to release their music without fear of digital piracy!

 

Hi-Fi+ Issue 153 November 2017

 

Part of that 'it's all good' approach can be seen in the re-awakening of interest in compact disc replay, as distinct from CD ripping. Just as there was a small cabal of listeners who remained true to the idea that the sound quality of LP was better than CD, so there is today a small and growing community who think CD sounds better than music stored on hard disk. 

As we went to press, we learned of the passing of Gérard Chrétien, formerly of Focal. He was a pivotal figure in the company from 1990 until he stepped down due to illness recently, and will be remembered for his encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz. He will be missed.

Our congratulations go out to Graeme Scanlan from Newcastle Under Lyme, who won our most recent competition and will receive the excellent Pristine Vinyl ViVac RCS2 record cleaning machine. Well done!

 


Alan Sircom, Editor Hi-Fi+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

Quick Links


Premium Audio Review Magazine
High-End Audiophile Equipment Reviews

 

Equipment Review Archives
Turntables, Cartridges, Etc
Digital Source
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Preamplifiers
Amplifiers
Cables, Wires, Etc
Loudspeakers/ Monitors
Headphones, IEMs, Tweaks, Etc
Superior Audio Gear Reviews

 

 


Show Reports
HIGH END Munich 2024
AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Report

Southwest Audio Fest 2024
Florida Intl. Audio Expo 2024
Capital Audiofest 2023 Report
Toronto Audiofest 2023 Report
UK Audio Show 2023 Report
Pacific Audio Fest 2023 Report
T.H.E. Show 2023 Report
Australian Hi-Fi Show 2023 Report
...More Show Reports

 

Videos
Our Featured Videos

 


Industry & Music News

High-Performance Audio & Music News

 

Partner Print Magazines
audioXpress
Australian Hi-Fi Magazine
hi-fi+ Magazine
Sound Practices
VALVE Magazine

 

For The Press & Industry
About Us
Press Releases
Official Site Graphics

 

 

 

     

Home   |   Hi-Fi Audio Reviews   |   News   |   Press Releases   |   About Us   |   Contact Us

 

All contents copyright©  1995 - 2024  Enjoy the Music.com®
May not be copied or reproduced without permission.  All rights reserved.