[Thomas W. Bethe]

I think that many people are still under the assumption that "digital automatically sounds bad" and therefore think that using some piece of analog gear will some how overcome the "evil effects" of an all digital signal chain.

I know from years of experience with analog equipment, including building some myself, that all analog equipment is not "better" just because it is analog. If analog equipment is not properly maintained , especially equipment with tubes, it can go from very good to very bad in a very short time. Things like hum, distortion (both harmonic and IM) can simply be the aging of or problems with one of the tubes.

I love analog and have recently started doing a lot of listening to my vinyl record collection and all of my interns have recently gotten turntables and are now buying vinyl again but just because something is analog does not make it inherently better.

Our mastering chain is mostly digital. I have thought about adding some pieces of analog gear to round out our mastering rack. Right now, considering the price of good analog gear, is is not something that is practical for us and I will have to wait until the economy improves.

Good discussion.