The March 2009 issues of both Stereophile and The Absolute Sound bring us an article about digitizing vinyl, i.e. converting one's analog LPs in digital files or even CDs. So how well does magazine present the subject and how do they compare...LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!
Round one: Background info
TAS gets the nod here by a least mentioning (but not clearly explaining) things like lossless and lossy compression. Neither article gives the reader any internet links so that one can at least try to find out some of the information that is so clearly missing. Score this round TAS 9 to Sterephile 8.
Round two: Set up
With neither article having so much as a crudely drawn diagram of how to set up even a simple an LP to digital conversion system, the two point must system deems that each one only gets 8 points out of a possible 10 points. In all fairness, a more liberal judge might give TAS an extra point for them at least mentioning the various pieces of equipment required to set up such a system.
Round three: Step by step instructions
TAS again wins the round with their "workflow" concept. Stereophile seems dazed and stunned offering only a weak counterpunch with constant Channel D Pure Vinyl jabs. Score this round TAS 10 to Sterephile 8.
Round four: Software support
TAS once again wins the round by covering more ground as Stereophile sticks to it's hopeless one punch Channel D strategy. The Channel D strategy might have paid off for Stereophile had they decided to use Channel D's much ballyhooed digital RIAA curves but for some reason this potential knockout punch was nowhere to be seen. Score this round TAS 10 to Sterephile 8.
At this point the judges stepped in to put an end to what was clearly becoming a rout. Hopefully, Stereophile will be able to pick itself up off the canvas and return with a more balanced approach rather than sticking to the one punch Channel D technique, or at the very least, bring the potential knock out power of Channel D to the fight.
In the meantime the devoted readers of these magazines have to rely on computer publications (and those publication's love of "USB turntables") for any relatively useful information on how to digitize their vinyl.