On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 22:20:07 -0400, "Robert Morein"
wrote:


Never heard that one, Robert. The theory as I understand it is simply
that removing so much of the signal allows the amp and speakers to
operate more within their parameters--takes the strain off, in other
words. No, I've never heard minidisc sound BETTER than the original,
but then I've never heard it sound worse either. Personally I think
the medium was undersold by manufacturers and undermined by critics
who couldn't accept that a compressed medium could sound so good.

I have made mpeg compressions. Even at maximum bitrate, a male voice could
be differentiated. Since mpeg and ATRAC are similar, I am inclined to be
skeptical.

Well, doesn't matter now anyway. Such skepticism killed the medium,
much to my everlasting regret. I just wish fewer had thought about the
theory and more had actually used it.