Greetings, All.
A little while back, someone on this list asked whether playing a damaged vinyl disc on a laser turntable might yield improved results over straight stylus playback. I chimed in that, yes, the LT can often make a damaged disc sound substantially better by virtue of reading a less damaged part of the groove wall. A couple of you challenged me (privately) to provide an actual audio demonstration to prove my assertion, so I took some time to assemble a short MP3 today that shows fairly dramatically how the laser pickup can improve matters with a damaged disc. The demo file comprises three brief parts: stylus playback (using a well-known, well-regarded stylus/cartridge/turntable combination--with a very low-time stylus that is properly set up), laser playback of the same material and then a full-restoration of the original material (using a variety of software tools) based on the laser pickup. The MP3 is less than 1 MB in size and I'll be happy to email it to anyone who'd like it.
For the record (no pun intended): I do not work for the laser turntable manufacturer, I have no financial stake in the company and I have not been prompted by them to provide this demonstration.
Zap me a note if you want to hear it...
Chas.
-- Charles Lawson <clawson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Professional Audio for CD, DVD, Broadcast & Internet