Anyone heard of these "HD vinyls" ?

Does this seems promising to you ?

http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2016/03/15/high-definition-vinyl-will-soon-become-a-reality/

 

Ultimately it sounds like a new method for pressing vinyl, I don't see how using lasers to etche the grooves gives the vinyl 30% more capacity or any of the other claims the article is making.

 

They're probably arguing that you can squeeze in 30% more audio by making the grooves narrower and closer together d/t the added precision. But I'm not convinced any of this is really a good idea. High-tech vinyl? Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron.

 

A good recording on a good pressing should matter. HD! 4K Super Sayan 4! Not relevant...

 

Yes, I could see that.

I have a feeling this is one of those things that sounds great on paper but once you try it in reality, it will sound off. Just a hunch.

 

I was a bit sceptical because the process seems to involve a digital conversion at some point which is probably everything you want to avoid on a vinyl. Guess you share my opinion...

 

The concept is actually pretty interesting.

What we have here is a fine laser carving out a more accurate groove into the mother lacquer. The laser is being used to cut in topographical information that can be fine tuned on a computer.

Think of the laser as the cutter head itself, just more precise in nature. This is still an analog process with no digital conversion taking place at all.
Everything remains the same, with the only difference being a more precise cutting mechanism.

I will be very curious to actually hear the final result as I think there JUST might be a genuine advancement in the vinyl production process here. If we get more definition from vinyl, it might surpass the capabilities of the master tape itself!!

 

Yes, the theory sounds great. The real test will be the actual end product
If they are able to use a super high quality, high precision laser cutting mechanism that is finely controlled, we might have an epic advancement on our hands.

This out of the box thinking with current tech might open some new advancements for vinyl production. But it needs to be in the hands of people who are passionate about the results, rather than cost cutting! I guess, let's just wait and see...according to the article, it is a matter of 3 years or so before we see a HD vinyl.

EDIT: I wish I would have thought about this before. This would have been a killer startup AND based in the US as opposed to Europe

 

That album is pressed at one of the best pressing plants in the world - Toyokasei. Not a cheap record either! $40 for a single disc...but the reason is absolutely apparent. That 200g record and really, anything on the Venus record label is just pristine.

You are absolutely right...give this laser manufacturing method to the Japanese and we WILL get perfect results. They care about their records more than any other culture I have seen anywhere!

I really hope this laser cutting moves things forward. Even if nothing changes, I am already very happy with the medium. If this laser cutting is realized properly, I can't wait to hear the result....fingers crossed.

 

This is only [?] a new method of making the masters from which the records are pressed. This is an advancement for the record industry more than, or at least as much as, for consumers. Apparently, the making of these masters is a big bottle neck in vinyl production: the machines are ancient and hard to maintain.

Biggest advantage for vinyl lovers? I guess it extends the availability of new vinyl into the future. For vinyl lovers, that can't be bad, and, if it improves the quality of the manufacturing process too, that's a bonus.

 

Yep... Sounds Like 32 bit delta\sigma dacs over the old multibit, or like led tv over plasma tv.
They promise more but deliver less. I hope I'm wrong but In the end what they seek is only cost reduction and creating obsolescence.
Anybody else reading "HD-compatible turntables"?
Edit:
That sounds exactly like HD\DSD compatible dacs. In the end I found out that old out of production dacs did nothing wrong and are the only one I can listen to with satisfaction.
I hope I'm mistaking. I'd hate to make a stash of old turntable and cartridges for future needs

 

Most new vinyl released today, including re-releases of older albums, go through a digital stage at some point. Either the album is recorded digitally to begin with, or the tapes are copied to a digital format.

There are still some AAA (all analog) vinyl releases today, but they are increasingly rare.

 

The market positions of current record labels is ancient and hard to maintain. I would gladly pay current prices for properly mastered and dynamically produced albums in CD and vinyl format. Thing is most record labels only care about their music product to stand out and sound loud. Every time I consider buying music on a physical medium I hope the production engineer had dynamic range in mind. Often albums suffer from loudness, which is a shame.

I would not mind paying extra for good recordings produced by good sound engineers. So the bean counters do not appreciate craftsmanship, f**k them. This hobby is about good sounding music, not the bean counters.

 

@Deep Funk I assume you've heard of the Audio Fidelity label, right? That's Steve Hoffman's label and they do audiophile releases of many classic albums in CD, SACD, and vinyl formats.

Another good boutique vinyl label right now is Speakers Corners.

Of course there's Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab but they aren't always the best release of a given album. Still, when they do it right, they really do it right.

 

Thankfully some niche record labels understand. Otherwise you are left with little to no choice.

 

For most older albums, it's usually just a question of finding an older pressing. For new albums, they may simply be mastered badly and there's no good version out there at all.

It's tougher if you don't want to buy used, but with vinyl, you should really buy used unless the reissue is actually the least expensive option.