Podcast #1063: Audiophile vs Audio Purist - 8 Reasons to buy Discs and UST Projector Showdown
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This week we are back from vacation and have a jam packed show. We start off with a Phoenix record store owner who set the audiophile world on fire over his claim that Mobile Fidelity a company that has prided itself on using original master tapes for its pricey reissues, had actually been using digital files in its production chain.  Then we look at 8 reasons you should keep buying UHD discs. And we look at Projector Central’s 2022 Laser TV Showdown. All this plus the week’s news and your emails!

News:

• Google TV rumor points to 50 live channels coming soon)
• LG Display’s 97-inch OLED panel vibrates to create ‘cinematic’ 5.1 sound)
• Step aside Google, Amazon, Roku: TiVo is coming to smart TVs)
• Google predicts Matter will make the smart home flawless)

Other:

• P.180 Avanti EVO)
• Flying at Jet Speeds in Italian Style with the Piaggio P.180 Avanti Evo Turboprop – AINtv)

How a Phoenix record store owner set the audiophile world on fire In a sometimes halting video posted to the YouTube channel of his Phoenix record shop, the ‘In’ Groove, Esposito said that “pretty reliable sources” told him that MoFi (Mobile Fidelity), the Sebastopol, Calif., company that has prided itself on using original master tapes for its pricey reissues, had actually been using digital files in its production chain. In the world of audiophiles — where provenance is everything and the quest is to get as close to the sound of an album’s original recording as possible — digital is considered almost unholy. And using digital while claiming not to is the gravest sin a manufacturer can commit. Full Article Here…)

Comments from Youtube video:

So basically, MOFI just proved that all these guys who swore they could tell analog from digital were just full of crap!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks MoFi for settling that tired old debate!

I think this introduces a new concept, that there is a difference between an “Audiophile” and an “Audiopurist”. The audiophile chases the best sound quality, whereas the audiopurist requires the media to be of a specific origin, and with no deviation, which can be digital or analog. I think the marriage of digital in the analog format works fantastic, and can produce results that are synergistic.

I personally attribute the magic of vinyl, regardless of the source the vinyl was made from, is the mechanical to electric conversion that occurs in the cartridge.  It's differently nuanced then how a DAC converts its signal.  I think that's why vinyl kills digital in terms of soundstage, and imaging.

This isn’t even remotely shocking to me all things considered. I spent all of 2020 investing so much into my system and high end audiophile vinyl to find CD counterparts matching or exceeding. I’ve collected vinyl for 15+ years and it’s a wonderful medium to enjoy music. But it’s all about the mastering. Digital mastering done right can be even better. This is proof. 8 reasons you should keep buying 4K Blu-ray discs For true movie enthusiasts who value the highest quality viewing, movie discs are still the way to go. Here's why…)  2022 Laser TV Showdown - Triple Laser Rankings The results are in from the 2022 Laser TV Showdown hosted August 4th by ProjectorCentral and ProjectorScreen.com that faced-off 14 laser UST projectors, with newcomer Formovie capturing the top honor in the Triple Laser category and projection stalwart BenQ coming in first in the Single Laser category. Full article here…)

The difference between the highest rated projector and lowest regardless of technology is 9.15 for the BenQ V7050i and 8.06 for the Optoma P2. That’s an 11% difference however the cost difference is $1200.  You need to decide if that 11% improvement is worth the $1200. 

Even more compelling is that the Hisense 100L5G came in second in the single laser category with a score of 8.90 just 2.5% less performance for $500 more. But the caveat here is that the Hisense comes with a 100” screen making it a better value than the BenQ

The best 3 Laser UST was the Formovie Theater) (catchy name) with an overall score of 9.08 and costing $3000. $500 less than the BenQ. If that is not compelling enough it supports Dolby Vision! 

A few months ago we talked with the CEO of AWOL about their new LTV-3500 which has Dolby Vision in Beta but it's big thing was that it has a super bright laser with a whopping 3500 lumens. And where this projector shined was in daytime viewing in a bright room. However it was at the low end on color gamut.  It finished second to last and costs $4900. But in the category second to last is still really good with a score of 8.76 which is only 3% worse than the winner.

Notes - Since all these projectors were calibrated we have no way of knowing if one calibrator’s results vs another could have changed the results. Some of the results only a percent of two off. We’d like to see this done again using the preconfigured settings of the manufacturer. Because if they are pitching these projectors as large format TV replacements and not high end home theater units most people won’t get them calibrated. 

Ara owns an Optoma P1 which was the predecessor of the P2. He really likes it so he is excited about where this category has gone. Every one of these projectors in the showdown is an improvement on P1. The Formovie Theater and the AWOL LTV-3500 are on his shortlist to replace his 4K LCD when it stops working.