when the past was the future

[RothwellAudio]

I've just come across an article from Hi-Fi News, October 1967, which is making predictions as to what hi-fi will be like in the year 2000. It's interesting to see how the author thought things would develop.
http://www.saturn-sound.com/images%20-%20articles/article%20-%20hi-fi%202000ad%20-%20hi-fi%20news%20-%20october%201967%20-%201.jpg

http://www.saturn-sound.com/images%20-%20articles/article%20-%20hi-fi%202000ad%20-%20hi-fi%20news%20-%20october%201967%20-%202.jpg

The author predicted that cartridges that would weigh only 1 gram and the tracking force would be only 0.1g !! He didn't predict that vinyl would become obsolete, then come back from the dead because "it sounds warmer" :lol:

[walpurgis]

Quote.

http://i63.tinypic.com/dghr1f.png

Ah. Must be digital then! :D

[RothwellAudio]

Quote.

http://i63.tinypic.com/dghr1f.png

Ah. Must be digital then! :D

Yes, it's interesting that digital doesn't get a mention at all. I'm not sure when the first practical experiments with digital audio began but I thought the concept had been around for a very long time.

[willbewill]

Yes, it's interesting that digital doesn't get a mention at all. I'm not sure when the first practical experiments with digital audio began but I thought the concept had been around for a very long time.

Back then computers were HUGE, with integrated circuits only really being introduced in the 60s, it wasn't until the 70s that personal computers started appearing and the 80s saw affordable options and sizes drop...hence CD players. But it is strange that the author didn't foresee digital tape players.

Interestingly though the first PCM patent was filed in 1938 with the first mono PCM recorder deeloped in Japan in 1967.

[Marco]

Yes, it's interesting that digital doesn't get a mention at all.

I suspect that Geoff was being facetious! ;)

Marco.

[Marco]

He didn't predict that vinyl would become obsolete, then come back from the dead because "it sounds warmer" :lol:

Lol - firstly, it was never "obsolete", certainly amongst enthusiasts who populate forums such as this, and secondly (unless you're having a larf) the fact that it 'came back from the dead' wasn't because it 'sounded warmer'.

Marco.

[RothwellAudio]

Yes, I was 'aving a larf.
Yes, vinyl never became obsolete as far as audiophiles were concerned but it was obsolete as a mainstream music medium. Now you can buy records in Sainsbury's!
BTW, I'm pretty sure the hipster types who are playing records on those horrible turntables from Argos are convinced that they're getting a warmer sound.

[Marco]

Yes, vinyl never became obsolete as far as audiophiles were concerned but it was obsolete as a mainstream music medium. Now you can buy records in Sainsbury's!

Indeed... You're right, as far as the mainstream is concerned.

However, it's also important to remember that even in its darkest days, when CD ruled the roost, vinyl 12" singles, of various forms of dance music, were being produced for DJs, in significant numbers, to play in radio stations, pubs and clubs around the world, and also bought (from independent record shops) by their fans to play at home, many of whom owned Technics SL-1200s.

And that *that* was a significant part of what has kept vinyl alive today... So, long live the 'Techy', and long live vinyl itself! :hifive: :hifive:

Interesting article though, Andrew, so thanks for sharing :)

Marco.

[struth]

Lol - firstly, it was never "obsolete", certainly amongst enthusiasts who populate forums such as this, and secondly (unless you're having a larf) the fact that it 'came back from the dead' wasn't because it 'sounded warmer'.

Marco.

with the improvements in dac technology I think the differences are becoming close to zero for the many now, instead of just a few. After saying that I think streaming will only enhance the life of vinyl.

[Marco]

DAC technology is one thing, and yes there have been some notable advances in that area, but in terms of streaming, which let's face it is the future of digital (not CD), it's not a simple task to achieve the highest sonic standards of music replay, simply because, unlike with analogue, the computers and associated electronics necessary are noisy things (in terms of polluting the mains), and so that very *key* area needs to be successfully addressed first, before streaming can usurp the performance available from the best turntables.

I mean, you didn't just plug in your Pi, in its stock form, and were instantly met with glorious sounding music; you had to work at it a bit, and address the areas I've mentioned, before you got to where you are with it now... ;)

Marco.

[Barry]

For ‘four-channel quadraphonic’ read ‘5.1 suround sound’. So yes, that has come true, albeit in a different guise.

Lightweight cartridges tracking at 0.1g with radioactive stylii - no.

Tuner-amps (receivers) being in the majority - no.

7" discs, cut by laser, and one third the standard thickness of vinyl, giving a playing time of over an hour - no. (But something similar did happen with the 5" CD)

Predominance of speakers using electrostatic mid-range and electrostatic tweeters - no. Electrostatic speakers are still in the minority.

Dedicated acoustically treated listening rooms becoming more prevalent - maybe, but only for the determined enthusiast.

Continuation of tape, either cassette or open reel, as a source - no.



As others have noted, there was no mention of digital techniques and their development. It might seem surprising that an audio journalist may have not known about the developments, but it is quite possible that manufacturers were keeping all work in that area secret until they had something ready for the market. That didn't happen until 1982

So all in all, the predictions have not materialised. However the correspondant was looking 33 years into the future. Look what has happened in the last 15 years.

What did Nostradamus have to say on the matter?

[walpurgis]

I suspect that Geoff was being facetious! ;)

Marco.

Who, me? Never! :whistle: