From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad
just a snippet from Clark Johnsen's comment to elaborate on:
Respectfully beg to differ about 78rpm reproduction. It's advanced considerably. But you won't hear that on any commercially available LP or CD, so the case is difficult for me to prove.
----- yes, but not due to anybody sitting down with the requirements of the 78 rpm linear velocity and groove dimensions (and vertical tracking angles) and specify a system. It is mere coincidence that e.g. an MC pickup is sufficiently linear to accept a large excursion. Ortofon a few years back took up again the manufacture of their 1948 design of the so-called C-head - a mono pickup with a vertical moving coil and a leaf spring for vertical compliance. However, they are using the old design and have not re-designed on the basis of e.g. new magnetic materials. Still, it is the best mono pickup around for mono records. And it is hideously - rightfully so - expensive and so ought to appeal to the $1000 crowd.
As to the optical playback of 78 rpm grooves: it is clear that all the present designers are floundering - they simply do not know how to apply this extremely versatile tool.
David Williams and myself assisted Chiba Sanju in March, 2001 at the Boston Audio Society demonstration of the ELP Laser Turntable. It was supported by the best equipment and Magneplanar speakers. The sound of both a vinyl pressing of a 1936 cello and piano recording and a shellac pressing of the same were both astounding. The graininess of the shellac disappeared into the slightest haze (distributed in space, whereas the musicians were fairly centered and with an acoustic surrounding them) and the vinyl was simply incredible. There are some grooves and surfaces that work wonderfully with this simple (1980s) optical playback. And again here, we have equipment that ought to appeal to the $1000 crowd. If only they knew how to use it.
Kind regards,
George