Why Imported Records sound better??

[greenhorn]

I was going through some indian pressings of english LP's bought from local vendors. After cleaning up, Most RCA and polydor pressings have way too much surface noise, and very low levels, and generally sound like crap, while Gramaphone co of India Records tend to end up sounding much better with lesser noise, and better frequency response too.

does the media make such a difference? My experience with Tapes has also varied. PolyGram and BMG crescendo tapes tended to sound decent, while Sony tapes sounded stunning new, but lost highs with every play, and were rather fragile, and sensitive to tape decks with a tendency to chew tapes. Eventually, all my 'new' cassettes sound pathetic, while my dad's old stash of IMD bootlegs and ancient sony C-60's sounds just fine.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

But can you tell the difference on a blind test? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously, I think it has always been acknowledged that some pressings are better than others, even within the country of origin.

 

[greenhorn]

It's blindingly obvious. With the good ones, the noise floor is around -40 db or lesser, while with the others, it's around -20 to -30dB. I can hear it, and see it on the VU meter of my amp during the silence between the tracks

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

It's blindingly obvious.

I was joking, of course!

Yes, those "silences" between tracks can be revealing.

 

[sarith]

Eventually, all my 'new' cassettes sound pathetic, while my dad's old stash of IMD bootlegs and ancient sony C-60's sounds just fine.

+1 to that. Nazia Hassan LP recorded to a Pioneer N1 cassette (Japan) still plays well without any trouble. No sign of dirt or fungus though I've never cleaned it yet. Same goes for Sony CHF or EF cassettes (All bought years ago from Dubai)

 

[arindamcc]

There is also one Indian thing called "jugad" ...a compromise, ...an immediate solution to a problem, ...an attempt which the maker thinks no one will notice or care, ...an attempt to show how innovative one can be regardless of how temporary or clumsy that solution will be.
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Is there 'ANY' Indian Product which is known worldwide for its quality ? Just curious, would be interesting to know...

Taj and Tea

 

[jagdish_p]

It's the same story with audio cassettes and Compact Discs too. I actually stopped buying CDs in India from the time they started manufacturing (pressing) them here. There is a world of a difference between the CDs pressed overseas and the CDs pressed in India. In fact on occasion I have had the oportunity to compare the same title on CDs purchased from overseas and India; the difference is night & day.

I understood how Vinyls can vary based on the manufacturing quality.
But can some one explain why CDs which are digital recordings sound different.
Thanks

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Taj and Tea

Taj and tea, but not Tata! Well, Landrover and Jaguar are Indian these days! :yahoo:

Sadly though, if anyone from Tata tried to sell me computer consultancy, I'd tell them, sorry, but I owned one of their cars once!!!

... ... ... Is there 'ANY' Indian Product which is known worldwide for its quality ? Just curious, would be interesting to know...

Whoa, we could so easily leave behind music and rush into politics here!

However, to give some answer to your question... Probably craftsman-made products, from bronzes to musical instruments, might be an area in which India is respected world wide (not to mention the music itself hyeah: ). Some owners of products from, eg Nokia, Nissan, etc, might be unaware (unless they look for the "small" print) that their product came from India.