Quadios - "CD-4 -> Stereo" downmix listening

[kfbkfb]

I know my idea is kinda off-the-wall, however, I estimate that, due to having a marginal CD-4 setup, I've listened to my CD-4 LPs in stereo probably 95% of the time.

Given the excellent sound quality of the Rhino Quadios, I was wondering if anyone has listened to their Quadios in stereo with L=LF+LB and R=RF+RB (to get that CD-4 in stereo listening experience)?


Kirk Bayne

 

[DeanRay]

Excellent question - hope we see some responses. I've recorded all of my quad LPs (200+) to stereo. What I've found is most of the CD-4 LPs have different "stereo" mixes as compared to the "regular" LP. I do not hear as much difference for all other quad formats.

 

[kfbkfb]

Back in the 1970s, I thought quad sound would catch on and CD-4 would be the "winner" for LPs.

I bought the CD-4 releases of albums when possible, but I only had a stereo system, didn't get a good CD-4 demod until 1992-12.

AFAIK, the RCA single inventory CD-4 releases used the CD-4 -> stereo downmix as the stereo mix for stereo 8 track and stereo cassette releases of the album (and stereo LP releases outside the USA) - the Elvis Aloha from Hawaii is an example of this.


Kirk Bayne

 

[DeanRay]

I agree with you - I thought CD-4 was WAYYYY better than all the other formats when it came to separation. Some of the SQ LPs I have sound about the same when compared to playing the stereo LP and simply adding various digital processing, via my Yamaha receiver. I still have my JVC 5456-X that my brother bought for me when he was in the army - we're talking 1975 or so. Wouldn't trade it for the best SQ/QS/RM/whatever quad format receiver.

 

[quicksrt]

I’ve been meaning to do some quad to stereo fold-downs using Quadio releases as working parts.

Thanks for the reminder.

I think I’ll start with AWB and four hits from Bread using Quadio masters. Then try a couple AF SACDs. I think SACDs require a high-frequency noise filter switch on the recorder.

 

[jaybird100]

Back in the 1970s, I thought quad sound would catch on and CD-4 would be the "winner" for LPs.

I bought the CD-4 releases of albums when possible, but I only had a stereo system, didn't get a good CD-4 demod until 1992-12.

AFAIK, the RCA single inventory CD-4 releases used the CD-4 -> stereo downmix as the stereo mix for stereo 8 track and stereo cassette releases of the album (and stereo LP releases outside the USA) - the Elvis Aloha from Hawaii is an example of this.


Kirk Bayne

I had heard they combined the rear channels into the corresponding front channels when played in stereo. CD-4 didn't use phase shifting, as the matrix formats did/do. A CD-4 record, if played through a matrix decoder, will act the same as any stereo record. A surround effect can be created, but it's nothing like what the CD-4 mix will sound like.

 

[barfle]

I have a handful of CD4 LPs, but so far have never heard them in quad. My renovation of a Marantz demodulator isn’t going all that well - terrible distortion and noise, so I have a fairly large troubleshooting and alighnemt project ahead of me.