george@sysvis.UUCP (10/24/84)
< > In the interest of hearing what you "true audiophiles" have to say about it, I would like to ask a question about audio cassette tape decks. With the current technology available, it seems that the audio cassette has finally achieved an ultimate success as a utility audio recording/playback medium. Keeping the price of the "top of the line" cassette decks in mind, "Why would anyone buy an audio cassette deck for any reason? " For "pure audio sound quality", a Beta-HiFi VCR will outperform these decks (*AND* the treasured vinyls on turntables) by several orders of magnitude. In addition, the Beta units usually cost less. Golden ears notwithstanding, good Beta-HiFi format tape recordings are truly outstanding. I propose that, for the purists, the Beta tape NEVER NEEDS to contain video information. Although some of the newer audio/video recordings are very worthwhile as far as entertainment and AUDIO QUALITY. If enough people actually caught onto this scheme, I feel that some of the classic audio masters might be re-issued in the Beta-HiFi format -- maybe with with dubbed video ! -- for those wishing to hear them in the closest possible duplication of the original master tape. I would enjoy reading worthwhile comments from any of you having an opinion.
rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES) (10/25/84)
[] I, for one, don't have any quarrel with your opinions. I only wonder what you have against the audio fraternity? Are you just shy? Are you just erecting asbestos shields, fearing some kind of flaming attack? No reason to come on with such beligerence. There is an old saying to the effect that you will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Of course, one might ask, "Why try to catch flies?" In that case one should get out of the kitchen. It's the thought, if any, that counts. Dick Grantges hound!rfg
lutton@inmet.UUCP (10/30/84)
#R:sysvis:146038200:inmet:2600117:000:127 inmet!lutton Oct 28 20:07:00 1984 <> The true reason people buy audio cassette decks instead of Beta Hi-Fi decks: You can't get a Beta Hi-Fi unit for your car!
bytebug@pertec.UUCP (roger long) (11/03/84)
> "Why would anyone buy an audio cassette deck for any reason? "
Because my car stereo isn't a Beta HiFi. But then, "true audiophiles"
probably don't have car stereos...
--
roger long
pertec computer corp
{ucbvax!unisoft | scgvaxd | trwrb | felix}!pertec!bytebugrcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) (11/05/84)
> ... Keeping the price of the "top of the line" cassette decks in mind, > > "Why would anyone buy an audio cassette deck for any reason? " > > For "pure audio sound quality", a Beta-HiFi VCR will outperform these decks > (*AND* the treasured vinyls on turntables) by several orders of magnitude... [I don't know if I'll grant "several orders of magnitude", but let's set that aside for the moment...] The answer is simple: the media. A video cassette is about three times the size and cost of an audio cassette. Forget about portable players (the Sony "Walkman" style) and forget about car players. Do you really want two copies of everything you like to listen to? Of course it's easier to get good audio out of a VCR with a well-designed audio subsystem (which has finally happened!) - there's a whole bunch more tape to work with. The cassette creates a lot of cost-vs-performance tradeoffs to achieve its convenience. -- Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 ...Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity.