[djf]

Well, except for CD’s, I’ve tried to stay analog. I’m forced into digital for TV, but I can live with that.

I have an old AKAI 7.5 IPS R2R, and if I record a CD to it and play it back, it actually sounds better. Something about smoothing out the signal I guess, gives it a warmer, less bright and harsh sound.

To each his own, right?

[TomGuy]

I’ve tried to stay analog. I’m forced into digital for TV

I tried to stay analog, but the old TV quit, so I splurged.

The DTV has a good picture. My DVR is still analog, but I only use it to record non-HD programs to watch/erase.

Cox Cable is still feeding analog, but even on the DTV many of their analog (basic/extended) programs are 'in the box' -- black space above and below. I know their intention is to force viewers into their digital service, even though they claim that is how they get the feeds from the source. FX, which is nearly always in the box, advertises itself as a no-box channel. Who, then puts it in the box? FX or Cox? Ironically, the digital channels (local) are full screen, even when the corresponding analog feed is 'in the box'.

I just up the zoom. It cuts out some of the peripheral areas, but is watchable. I have considered upgrading to digital just to get HD, but Cox's "free" HD programming will cost an extra $20 per month ($13 for digital plus $6 for HD tuner plus tax). So far, it isn't worth it, and especially with summer reruns, etc.

[holden]

To each his own, right?

Yeah, I would say to each his own, but that's not what the RIAA and MPAA are into. They don't want you to be able to have control over media you may have purchased licensed. You'll be sued, fined or imprisoned for taking out the bad words out of videos you might want otherwise to let your kids see and hear. You're not allowed to copy DVDs onto a media server in your own home; that's inherently a DMCA violation. $250,000 fine for each occurence, bub.

These manufacturers are looking for power, control and money. They look to the horizon at technology they didn't invent and try to find a proprietary, protectable way of aggregating/integrating such technology into a connector, a cable, a set of wires or a device that the whole waterfront of customers (or installers) will say, "Yeah, that's cool! I'll buy and use that and junk what I bought just three years ago."

They want to be like RCA, where the world will be so enamored of their required, gatekeeper widget that they and their grandkids can retire to the beach collecting royalties. If they were like Thomas Edison and really developed a ground-breaking technology, this would be reasonable, but we live in an each where Edison's plumber wants in on ole Thomas' lucrative money stream and has set up a toll booth on his driveway for you to pay him $0.50 every time someone wants to build a light receptacle into a new lamp design.

Though many line up to pay the plumber (picture the "Back to the Future," alternate-reality Biff-with-Marty's-mom-as-sextoy becoming a filthy rich boor) and his fee, some bright guys think it nonsense, just as freepers see it for the inappropriately-placed, outlandish, insensitive-to-the-customer's-needs technogreed it is. There are dozens of would-be hangers-on to the video and audio chains that we purchase today. They've lawyered up decades ago. They're ready to sue other new guys looking to jump up, whether frivolously or not, because that's what money can do--sue.

Technology without the time-honored revenue stream is vulnerable. You won't hear about truly groundbreaking stuff unless it finds sufficient money to get into the marketing game in a big way, like Blu-Ray. "Stand back! Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it. You're not getting this until we have perfected the bulletproof (HA!) toll booth (AACS)!"

Even Microsoft's tech and money betting on HD-DVD couldn't overcome the anti-capitalist thugs' of Hollywood resistance to them horning in on their game.

It's as depressing as what Obama is in the process of foisting upon us. It threatens to keep us "enthralled" for decades (think 1917-1989).

HF

[lentulusgracchus]

I sold stereo equipment years ago, back in the days of early four-channel, Dolby "B" and "matrix" 4-channel. Those reel-to-reel decks were the way to go for fidelity, next to top-end turntables. And while I didn't sell Akai, I knew they had a good reputation as damn near bulletproof. Sony, Akai, TEAC. Wollensak was good, too -- I have a big old Wollensak cassette recorder with ferrite heads. Needs service, of course.

[Poser]

I’ve still got my KLH Model 27 with a pair of AR15 speakers in my office.

[Moonman62]

Something about smoothing out the signal I guess, gives it a warmer, less bright and harsh sound.

That's how audiophiles describe less accuracy. I could sell them used chewing gum for $500 an ounce if I tell them it will acoustically isolate their speakers.

[I Drive Too Fast]

I own an Akai GX -635-D 10” R2R. It does sound very good. I believe it was 1980 when I bought that one. I have a couple of 10 “ reels and a few of the smaller reels. The 10” will hold over 6 hours of music.