Michael Fremer said :-

[Jimbo]

As a late adopter of digital (1995) I always wondered how true this was so last year I bought a Marantz player from 1984 just to put the theory to the test. And it sounds fine. Yes, I've got better players, or at least players I prefer, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. No grain, no hash, no harshness, you could listen to it all day. It sounds sweet and clean.

You've only got to look at the rapid take-up rate of CD from 1985 onwards to see that there was no inherent problem. if it had been as bad as it is now claimed the format would have sunk without trace.

I think it was an almost uniquely British thing and stemmed from people using uniquely British amplification like Naim and Exposure, and some similar boutique brands with an 'exciting' or 'live' sound balance. Or they had older amplifiers which overloaded with the 2V input from CD.

I've also bought some original issue CDs from around that time too, just to see if the unlikely theory that the transfers weren't done properly holds any water. In short, no it doesn't.

So Fremer wasn't right about it, not at all. And he certainly isn't the reason for the vinyl resurgence. I'd say a big part of that is due to streaming. No tactile experience, you see. And if you want the tactile experience you go for it all out - vinyl LP - with the needle and the tonearm and the big cover art - not the halfway-house that is CD.

My CD experience from that period was like listening to breaking glassssss.....

CD only became as big as it did because the industry wanted to make it happen plus the people who embraced it wanted the convenience, they are probably the same people who stream spotify on phones via earbuds.

[struth]

Not saying digital is anywhere as good then as now(mainstream) but top end then was pretty good. Dacs tho have improved, especially in the lower price ranges.
I had digital in late 80's and it was great in many ways. Especially on cans

[Macca]

My CD experience from that period was like listening to breaking glassssss.....

.

Mine was equally as dismal which is why I didn't bother until 1995 when it got to the point where there was no vinyl option any more.

But the problem some of us (by no means all) experienced then was not due to the players, or the transfer process. Anyone who doesn't believe me is welcome to come and listen to 1984 CDs spinning on the 1984 Marantz CD player and hear for themselves. Through Focal speakers too so there's no quarter given!

[Joe]

Every time I see the thread title, I want to add ' ... it was reet petite'.

[The Black Adder]

Lol - so apart from that, he's ok?

That's an old video, which was posted on pfm a while back, and I watched it then. I don't have a problem with the guy at all - he is who he is, and IMO is more 'palatable' than most in his industry. At least he's not boring, as he has a personality [one you either warm to or don't] and also a sense of humour, which many of his fellow reviewers don't.

Most are rather introverted nerds/geeks and measurement freaks, with zero personality or sense of humour (who bore the SHITE out of me), and that for me is what makes Fremer human. I couldn't care less how wealthy or successful he is, so good luck to him. Would I want his system? No!

Would I want his record collection (if I had the room) - YES!

Marco.

+1

I've never met him so who am I to judge. He's probably a very nice chap.

I wouldn't want his system either nor anyone else's for that matter.

I'm very happy with what I've got and I take great pleasure in appreciating it. And I agree that expensive doesn't always mean better.

His collection is vast but like his system it's not to my taste which is obvious. But I've watched some of his videos before regarding reviews of releases and have gleaned a few nuggets on the back of them.

I have to say that what I've heard he's been spot on so far.

Sent from my BBC Microcomputer 32K

[Pharos]

For me, if you're going to present yourself and speak to the public, on any subject, then regardless of being loved or loathed, just don't be BORING...!

Marco.

Yes, but it is even better if they are not up their own arses, and can communicate in clear and grammatical sentences, and preferably without the usual arm waving.

[Pharos]

Agree entirely, and think he epitomises a lucky spoilt brat, who seems not to have to do much to enjoy his celeb status and luxurious Hi-Fi.

I don't think that having all the gear he has is worth paying the price of having to be him.

[Marco]

Perhaps the very definition of a plonker is someone who doesn't care whether he comes across as a plonker - but just because he doesn't care doesn't mean he isn't one.

Ha - well I've always admired folks who have the balls to say what they think and be themselves, regardless of who might not like it. I'd rather that than bland, gutless, shrinking violets, with about as much personality as an empty cardboard box, boring me to death every time that they open their mouths!

That's not being a plonker: that's having the confidence and self-assuredness to be yourself, and others can simply 'like it or lump it' - an attitude I can relate to myself

Fremer: "I don't do this to make friends". Quite... But if he makes some genuine ones along the way, simply being HIM, then that's all to the good. Exactly my mantra.

Marco.

[dave2010]

Ha - well I've always admired folks who have the balls to say what they think and be themselves, regardless of who might not like it. I'd rather that than bland, gutless, shrinking violets, with about as much personality as an empty cardboard box, boring me to death every time that they open their mouths!

That's not being a plonker: that's having the confidence and self-assuredness to be yourself, and others can simply 'like it or lump it' - an attitude I can relate to myself

Fremer: "I don't do this to make friends". Quite... But if he makes some genuine ones along the way, simply being HIM, then that's all to the good. Exactly my mantra.

Didn’t dislike the video - though did it finish early? Maybe the Youtube version is in several parts.

Not consciously aware of Bremer before, and he doesn’t even surface with a simple web search.

The stuff he reviews is seriously expensive though - see https://www.stereophile.com/writer/90

I doubt that any of us here could put together a system with components from his “best” list. The turntable in his list is probably about the same “value” (cost) as our house!

[Marco]

Mine was equally as dismal which is why I didn't bother until 1995 when it got to the point where there was no vinyl option any more.

Eh? I've owned some form of turntable virtually non-stop since 1982, and it was certainly possible to obtain them in 1995, even if you had to go second hand, including with the vinyl itself. It just wasn't very popular then, but that's quite different from there having been 'no vinyl option'.

Marco.