I've read of the "golden age" for audio recordings (probably the late 50's through the mid sixties, more or less?). So when are these current "dark ages" of audio going to (mercifully) end? It seems to me the overwhelming majority of popular music recordings sound just awful these days. It's gotten to the point that I am reluctant to spend any amount on same, because by now I pretty much assume the sound will be poor, with no air or sense of space or three dimensionality, and no sparkle and certainly no dynamics.
I know this is a topic of interest in the audiophile community, but what about in the pro audio world? Is there any sense there that a problem even exists? Do they think no one cares about sound quality anymore. Apparently, not many do.
And exactly who is responsible? To whose front gate do we march, torches and pitchforks in hand?
And assuming we even knew who was responsible, what would be their motive for fouling so much our sonic elixer? Is it monetary? Or perhaps it's just incompetance or complacence.
It seems more than a little interesting to me that as the quality of the product has plummeted, sales of music recordings have plummeted right along with it. Cause and effect?
At least most new classical and jazz recordings still sound wonderful. Those communities seem to be comprised of artists, producers and engineers who still care about sound quality, thank goodness! Of course, they can't seem to "move product" either...another topic for another day.
I've read of the "golden age" for audio recordings (probably the late 50's through the mid sixties, more or less?). So when are these current "dark ages" of audio going to (mercifully) end? It seems to me the overwhelming majority of popular music recordings sound just awful these days. It's gotten to the point that I am reluctant to spend any amount on same, because by now I pretty much assume the sound will be poor, with no air or sense of space or three dimensionality, and no sparkle and certainly no dynamics.
I know this is a topic of interest in the audiophile community, but what about in the pro audio world? Is there any sense there that a problem even exists? Do they think no one cares about sound quality anymore. Apparently, not many do.
And exactly who is responsible? To whose front gate do we march, torches and pitchforks in hand?
And assuming we even knew who was responsible, what would be their motive for fouling so much our sonic elixer? Is it monetary? Or perhaps it's just incompetance or complacence.
It seems more than a little interesting to me that as the quality of the product has plummeted, sales of music recordings have plummeted right along with it. Cause and effect?
At least most new classical and jazz recordings still sound wonderful. Those communities seem to be comprised of artists, producers and engineers who still care about sound quality, thank goodness! Of course, they can't seem to "move product" either...another topic for another day.