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Why recordings made before 1965 sound better.

 

I’ve brought ht up this topic before, and I believe my point was misunderstood. so, I’m trying again.

Many A’goners have commented that recordings originating in the late 50’s and early 60’s which have been transferred to CDs sound particularly open with better soundstaging than those produced later.
Ray Dolby invented his noise reduction system in 1965 to eliminate what was considered annoying tape hiss transferred to records of the time. The principle was to manipulate the tonal structure so as to reduce this external noise:

“The Dolby B consumer noise-reduction system works by compressing and increasing the volume of low-level high-frequency sounds during recording and correspondingly reversing the process during playback. This high-frequency round turn reduces the audible level of tape hiss.”

‘Dolby A and C work similarly.

I maintain that recordings made prior to 1965 without Dolby sound freer and more open because the original tonal structure has not been altered and manipulated.

128x128rvpiano

Showing 8 responses by rvpiano

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

Totally in agreement with all of the above.

I just wanted to concentrate on the Dolby component however.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

Sns,

You raise a fair point. My feeling, though, is that the tubes produced a warmer sound than solid state, whereas the spatial element in recordings was compromised by Dolby interfering with the natural overtones of the music. By compressing and replacing the high frequencies the result is an artificial recreation of the natural sound.The openness of pre Dolby recordings is witness to that. It’s simply more real.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

elliotbnewcombjr and onhwy61,

What  melm says.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

No doubt the conversion from tubes to transistors affected the TIMBRE of the sound, but I don’t think it had a lot of bearing on the openness.

I think the openness is the result of the aforementioned mini miking, and the absence of Dolby.

 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

Just listening to a monophonic recording of violin and piano from 1951, on Idagio. The openness and air around the instruments is more pronounced than on many stereo recordings made of the same forces after 1965.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

Because I believe the other factors (except for mini miking) don’t have as much to do with openness and sound staging.

A major component of sonic enjoyment.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

Cd318,

I absolutely agree with you about the timbre change from tubes to solid state.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,447 posts
 

I see that some in this thread are doubtful of the effect Dolby had on the sound post 1965.  If you listen to acoustic instruments, such as in classical chamber music and orchestral music the difference can clearly be discerned.

 Manipulation of the natural order of overtones, no matter how skillfulI, had an effect on the final product.

 

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