Analog to Digital Conversion Showdown

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

welcome to the forum, dude!  i specialize in analog-to-digital conversion, so if you ever want some of your timeless 1st pressings converted, i'm your guy!

No bj, I'm the guy.   My drops are second to none (but I work very slowly).

[bearjew]

thrifty, what are drops?  do they smell?

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

thrifty, what are drops?  do they smell?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_drop_%28audio%29

How can you "specialize" in something that you don't even know the correct term for?

[OCCD]

I see a "drop" competition coming down the road.  I pick the vinyl.

[bearjew]

thrifty, what are drops?  do they smell?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_drop_%28audio%29

How can you "specialize" in something that you don't even know the correct term for?

I'm not really a slang term guy, but I'd be willing to bet money that I can produce a higher quality digital replication than you

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

You're on.   Tom picks the vinyl.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

We will need judges (at least three), Tom picks the vinyl and we submit 24/96 FLAC or WAV files.   Gear and technique at the discretion of the dropper.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Tom, pick one that is less than perfect.   Any fool with some cash can buy a bunch of gear and hit record, transparently removing problems is what really demonstrates skills.

Also, it would be great if it is something not available in the digital realm, as those are the types of recordings I see the most value in putting this kind of time and effort into.   That is just my preference, not really important in terms of a contest.

[bearjew]

What kind of wager are we making? I don't work for free.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

What do you want to lose to me?

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

I mean, I don't want to make you cry or put you in the poor house or anything.

[bearjew]

Thrifty, I seriously will bet you any money. Not only do I have the hardware, but I have the software, and the ears, and the ability to use all of them. I know it takes more than a record button to do conversions, which is why I do this kind of work professionally for money

[papabearjew]

My money is on BJ.  After all he spent about $250,000 to get a bachelor's degree in audio/recording engineering and a Master's degree in classical guitar performance.  He's well trained in the equipment and has a trained musicians ear. 

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

PBJ, you don't get to be a judge for obvious reasons.   I've been hired by the estate of a well known SoCal rocker to restore some demos that he had put to acetate.   I've also had one of my drops "appropriated" by a reissue label that decided my drop sounded better than their tape.   But I don't need to sell myself.   I am happy to let the files speak for themselves.

As far as a bet goes, I'm not comfortable with large amounts of money as I don't want to let this friendly exercise gain the potential to cause division on the board or among any members.   A small cash wager or even better, a bet where we each put up a component or a valued record is more in the spirit of the board IMHO.   What do you have for desirable records?   I could put up my Grundman "MCA Audiophile" pressing of "Gaucho", or my copy of "Don't Buy or Sell" by The Replacements.   I don't know what you are into enough to gauge what would interest you.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Besides, how good can he be when this whole idea started with him begging a stranger to throw him some bones?