Reused master tapes corrupted early CDs, explaining poor CD-versus-LP comparisons

Evidence

In one case at least, Stereophile magazine, useful measurements are made (full credit to John Atkinson), but then, by my observation, these data are rarely incorporated in the discussion by the subjective reviewers who practice the “take-it-home-and-listen-to-it” method. Adaptation sets in, and numerous non-auditory influences are at play. There are many quotable passages in these reviews, but one sticks in my memory. It pertained to a loudspeaker with significant faults, clearly revealed in Atkinson’s measurements (and ours), and one can only presume heard by the reviewer. The subjective reviewer, perhaps believing in “breaking in,” persisted and stated that after living with the speaker for about two months he experienced an epiphany, and he suddenly heard wonderful things. So, did the loudspeaker “break in”? No. Did the reviewer come to an accommodation with the faults in it? Yes. In the absence of comparison listening to other products, the reviewer will never know what really happened. Readers were encouraged to go spend a lot of money on a mediocre product. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 158 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Listeners habituate to reproduced-sound faults without comparison listening — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 158; Traditional distortion specs fail to predict perceived sound quality; LP reproduction suffered hidden acoustical and resonance flaws beyond familiar noise (+1 more)

Related

• Listeners habituate to reproduced-sound faults without comparison listening (similarity 0.83)
• Listeners adapt to loudspeaker flaws and still enjoy reproduced sound (similarity 0.82)
• Listeners adapt to flawed speakers yet recognize superior ones (similarity 0.82)
• The LP medium was fundamentally incapable of reproducing master tape sound (similarity 0.80)
• LP reproduction suffered hidden acoustical and resonance flaws beyond familiar noise (similarity 0.80)
• Record label tape-erasure practices corrupted early CD releases at the source (similarity 0.80)
• Musicians who are not audio enthusiasts judge loudspeakers on different rationales (similarity 0.79)
• The distinctive LP sound is an artifact, not fidelity to the master (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• LP reproduction suffered hidden acoustical and resonance flaws beyond familiar noise #contradicts (0.78)
• Listeners habituate to reproduced-sound faults without comparison listening #exemplifies (0.75) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 158
• Traditional distortion specs fail to predict perceived sound quality #exemplifies (0.72)