Music CD copies...are they of quality or do they experience SQ degradation?
RandyWilliamson
Posts: 178
I have in the past given this some thought but never researched it.
It's more questionable now since things are just that much more clearly heard...i've noticed that some copies seem to not have been created equally and that it also could be not necessarily the copy but that the soure material was poorly recorded.
I don't tend to see this come up as often with original CD's altho it does seem to show up occasionally where it seems that on an original the material may have been poorly recorded. Because most of my originals are treated extra nice and there are little no scratches on them.
CD copies on the other hand seem to more commonly render low SQ.
Sorry I dont have any particular albums to speak of from memory...just that the above is what i've noticed...on the originals side of things many albums are older Jazz like Coltrane and Mingus..most blue note albums a few songs here and there show some different SQ so that's where the source material becomes suspect rather than the CD so I figure there is a chance that maybe some CD copies are excused from the source.
It's more questionable now since things are just that much more clearly heard...i've noticed that some copies seem to not have been created equally and that it also could be not necessarily the copy but that the soure material was poorly recorded.
I don't tend to see this come up as often with original CD's altho it does seem to show up occasionally where it seems that on an original the material may have been poorly recorded. Because most of my originals are treated extra nice and there are little no scratches on them.
CD copies on the other hand seem to more commonly render low SQ.
Sorry I dont have any particular albums to speak of from memory...just that the above is what i've noticed...on the originals side of things many albums are older Jazz like Coltrane and Mingus..most blue note albums a few songs here and there show some different SQ so that's where the source material becomes suspect rather than the CD so I figure there is a chance that maybe some CD copies are excused from the source.
Cool stuff: Adcom GFA-555, GFP-710, Oppo BDP-83, Monitor 10's w/RDO198s, rebuilt and modded XO: Sonicap/Mundorf topside, Daytons Low.
Benq W5000
"Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss"
Benq W5000
"Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss"
Post edited by RandyWilliamson on
Comments
-
Are you talking CD copies made by the recording industry or CD copies one makes at home? There is an art to ripping and copying a cd at home. You need to be sure you are getting a bit for bit perfect copy. A free program like EAC when properly configured will make bit perfect copies.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul! -
Cd copies we all make at home....Cool stuff: Adcom GFA-555, GFP-710, Oppo BDP-83, Monitor 10's w/RDO198s, rebuilt and modded XO: Sonicap/Mundorf topside, Daytons Low.
Benq W5000
"Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss" -
A copied CD you make actually writes the info, the factory one is a stamped or pressed copy from an original.
RT1 -
But the written one's are of equal quality so long as a bit by bit copier is used.
Anyone know if Nero and 1 or 2 of the other more popular applications render bit by bit copies or DON't?Cool stuff: Adcom GFA-555, GFP-710, Oppo BDP-83, Monitor 10's w/RDO198s, rebuilt and modded XO: Sonicap/Mundorf topside, Daytons Low.
Benq W5000
"Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss" -
RandyWilliamson wrote: »But the written one's are of equal quality so long as a bit by bit copier is used.
Anyone know if Nero and 1 or 2 of the other more popular applications render bit by bit copies or DON't?
Most ripping programs end up cutting or "rounding off" the bits of info. EAC (Exact Audio Copy) is freeware and makes a bit for bit perfect copy (image) of a disc. It has to be set-up properly to work with a particular disc drive. That's a one time process.
http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/
Then there is the debate of whether you can actually hear a difference between a basic ripping program which "rounds off" the bits and and bit for bit perfect copy. For me I prefer the bit for bit perfect copy.
Just like anything in this hobby this topic is another of the great debates. You could spend the next month using Google researching this topic. Which I suggest you do.
Our very own Darqueknight did a very indepth study on burned discs and came to some fascinating conclusions. Try and search for the thread here on the forum.
FWIW,
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul! -
Its worth a lot H9.
Thanks. I'll be DL'ing that. And searching for that thread.
Im leaning on it is audible...just like the vinyl vs.CD debate....I hear ya...honestly I think the scope or range of what people can hear varies from person to person that's why there are debates....and as for measuring devices? baaaahhhhhhh......
thanks again.Cool stuff: Adcom GFA-555, GFP-710, Oppo BDP-83, Monitor 10's w/RDO198s, rebuilt and modded XO: Sonicap/Mundorf topside, Daytons Low.
Benq W5000
"Leaning back like a maxwell tape commercial listening to pure polk bliss" -
Most ripping programs end up cutting or "rounding off" the bits of info.
Really? I've never heard that before. I copy CD's for listening in the car, using Nero or Nti. After burning I do a bit compare in windows, the data is always identical. Not surprisingly, they sound identical as well. -
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
-
Really? I've never heard that before. I copy CD's for listening in the car
That's how I got started. Now I copy CD's for listening at home too, and leave the originals in the jewel cases stashed away. -
That's how I got started. Now I copy CD's for listening at home too, and leave the originals in the jewel cases stashed away.
At home I have them all loaded on a CDR-HD1500, no need to burn copies for home use, and very convenient.
