Is Newer always Better

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BIslander

High resolution audio, lossless codecs, and the equipment to play them back are all excellent enhancements. By way of perspective, Neil Young says audio technology has finally improved to a point that he is willing to release his life's work. Calibration software and room correction are another area where processing has gotten substantially better. Plus, all of this is being done at prices points that most people can afford.

I definetly agree with that, there have been some vast improvement in terms of processing and lossless audio. Not to mention on the Video side of things, its gotten much better, PQ is far better then what it used to be 5, 10 and 20 yrs ago.

IMO, the biggest downfall is AVRs. I think at $899 and down, that a receiver not living up to its specs but doing well is fine, but once you get over $1000 that thing should live up to expectations.

With speakers, I go with my analogy that speaker companies want to evolve and def techs decision to go to Aluminum Tweeters to reach higher SPLs over the Soft Domes of yester-year, then go for it. Congrats. As Humans we evolve, NO ONE here is the same person they were 10 yrs ago. Why should we expect that companies be the same as they were 10 yrs ago. Whether we like the new you or not, its what we have to expect as a company evolves. Like people... some speaker MFGs get better with time; some get worse. I think it depends on what the ideals of the company is about.

Music. I like CDs and LPs. I don't like MP3s. Some MP3s sound good sure. Of course there is lossless music on different formats, and yes, that sounds even better then MP3. But as Rhett had said to me the other day, he listened to something on his new TT and then on his Naim music server, and the LP sounded better. So in that case older Tech is better, but it does have its disadvantages also. Where will you store 400 LPs and CDs? How can you take it with you? Do they have in-car TTs that don't skip when you hit a road reflector? Obviously not! So in that regard new Tech has its advantages.

Personally, I don't mind having some music on .XXXX file, and then having my favorites on LP and my next favorites on CD. Having a variety of music formats and storage and mobility of the music is a part of the Tech advantages, but also still holding fast to yester-years somewhat Higher Quality so I can enjoy certian things at my LEISURE.

Which is really what HI-FI and HT is about. Taking your time to enjoy your movie or your music, to listen and watch intently and focused on what is before you. We don't listen to music and enjoy it on fast-forward when it sounds like the Chimpmucks. We don't put in a blu-ray and press fast-forward to catch every 4th word. So while Technology has brought forth innovations that we should not run away from, Yester-years technology should still has its deserv-ed place in our lives as well. Both should be embrassed and enjoyed for what they offer and can provide. As pure audio-phites/video-phites, we should have fun and take advantage of both new and old technologies.