CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Tom.W · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 6637

Boilermaker · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 527

I don't think the party is over- It is just smaller with only us die hards left. It is an evolutionary process.
A decade or more ago, vinyl was pronounced dead, but it is experiencing a slow but steady growth such that there may be a day when vinyl sales pass cd's!
While much smaller, there is even an awakening in analog reel to reel. Slow but sure. Don't be surprised to see the same slow resurgence of analog video.
I left vinyl and R2R many years ago, but have refurbished them both and am back into appreciating both forms of analog audio.

Just my 2 cents.

Bob

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:53 pm Post subject:

The problem is, CRT projectors are no longer being made, and parts age whether they are used or not. CRT is still viable, since the chassis are good for 20-25 years, but a 'resurgence'? I don't think so. Prices are still dropping. THing is, CRT is still cheaper cost per $ to run than digital, even though the prices of both have plummeted. I think the CRTers agree for the most part, a $3500 9" set with mint tubes is a better deal than a new in the box $3500 digital. The pros and cons haven't really changed between CRT and digital.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

Curt, you have to add either a VP or HTPC to the CRT.

Boilermaker · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 527

I probably should have used a different word than "resurgence".
I do think that there will always be a small "cottage industry" serving those who wish to have the unique values of analog. Earlier this year a long time client of mine went to the CES to find the best that he could find with cost no object. He called me when he returned and wanted to see my blend. After playing several of his BD's, he decided he wanted a blend. Just like there are people who prefer vinyl to digital. Maybe it's partially because it takes a few minutes to take out a disc, clean it, destatic it, etc. and finally put the stylus in the groove.
Because of this forum and the help of Zaph, I cleaned up my old Otari and have been amazed at how good it sounds. Maybe it's because it is a PITA to set up, or maybe it's because I absolutely prefer the sound to the best SACD's I have. Don't know, but I have been listening to nothing but R2R for several month's and have spent a lot on tapes from eBay. I also found that there are actually a few new (small) companies making high quality tapes transfers from old master tapes and there is a waiting list! And I don't think you can buy a new tape player that I know of.

It's not just which is more cost effective with digital projection or analog projection, at least for me it is more rewarding with analog. I'm not giving up on this fun, and I think there are others that feel the same way. I also think you feel the same way!!!

Bob

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:07 am Post subject:

Oh I agree, you should have seen the grin on my face every time I get 20Khz+ frequency response off a 40 year old reel to reel! Smile

You're right, when the build quality of CRT matured, I say about 1995, there's not really any reason why in 20 years the sets still will be running. I keep running across caches of new old stock parts, including tubes from various places, so yes, there will be a core group of CRTers. I think the core business that I have at this point will be literally dead in 10 years, but I think I posted before, for some reason 2012 has been awesome for CRT sales. I think I've sold more in the first 6 months of the year than 2010 and 2011 combined. Part of it is dropping prices of the 9" sets, part of it (still!) is digital owners coming back to CRT in disgust of the digital quality and lack of longevity, and part of it are industrial customers buying backups for their ageing installations.

Boilermaker · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 527

I'm tickled that you are having a good year. I also think that each year from now on will be a little better. I think it has hit bottom and will slowly grow just as has analog audio. Maybe it hasn't quite hit bottom, but if not, it won't be much longer.

There is also something else that I think causes this. Both light and sound are analog in nature - Been that way since the big bang! Our ears and our eyes are analog devices, and always will be.
More than 40 yrs. ago I had to take a course on Nyquist's sampling Theorem. I remember thinking this was just another math/physics exercise that would never have any practical application. Boy was I wrong! In both audio and video, we transform an analog "signal" into digital "data" so that we can do a far, far better job of copying, transmitting, enhancing, storing, etc. Then, before we use it, we turn it back into an analog signal so we can use it. It's cool - couldn't live without it!

There is something unatural about it that our senses can detect.

Last week, because of the 100 degree days, it got a little too warm in our bedroom, so we just went downstairs to the guest bedroom where it was cool. In our upstairs bedroom, I have an NEC XG with an 8' Stewart powered drop down screen that I got for nothing in a fire damage job I had. We usually watch a Netflix movie before we fall asleep.
In the guest bedroom there is a 42" LCD, so we tuned in a Netflix movie. After about 30 minutes both of us noticed the picture was just wrong. Don't know how to describe it, but it was unatural. We turned it off and went upstairs with a fan.

Have you ever read about how a digital display actually works. It goes through fantastic technology just to emulate what an analog device does naturally.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

Bob

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:39 am Post subject:

If you took a course 'over 40 years ago'... you ARE old! Razz

I completely agree, the digital pix is very unnatural overall. I believe the digital theatres are better overall, because at least there's some calibration taking place.