The Archives: Burned with Both Feet on the Ground

We had a pretty huge reaction to the Archives Q&A Session earlier this week. In the process, we learned a number of things about the Archives content and its technology underpinnings. Pretty fascinating stuff which left many elated or frustrated and even angry. And a range of emotions in between. To try and summarize this all would be an effort in futility. It's probably best left until Neil's official site posts info in the coming weeks.

We also learned something about our blog's comment capacity which seems to have maxed out at 200+ comments. Not sure what happened since there's a theoretically infinite capacity but we're investigating the meltdown in the meanwhile. In the meantime, the conversation continued over in a workaround thread where this comment probably summed up things as well as anything: not everybody is going to be happy no matter how the Archives is structured and delivered.

People who are unhappy should remember that it is NOT Mandatory to buy the archives. If its not in the form that you like then sit on the sidelines. The implications that Neil is doing this for the money is absurd ... when Archives Guy mentioned that they were testing 100 BD players and would list their performance on a web site it was one more affirmation that the motivation here has nothing to do with money and everything to do with Neil and his team having a whatever it takes attitude to realize HIS vision of how he wants HIS life's work laid out ... Do the math ... how much does it cost to employ a team of technologists, Joel Bernstein for 20 years, to buy 100 BD players ... work at it and re-do it 20 times in 3 updated standards ... this will go down as another example of why Neil is on different plane than his peers ... for those that are displeased that there isn't only unreleased songs, remember that fans who invest in the BD option are investing in a platform that will grow as Neil's team releases content for download ... as far as I'm concerned that could be an open door to new content for years to come. All that said, agreed that $300+ is a lot of money to spend in this economy but its a price that's more than fair for the quality of content , sound, and cost. For those who are like me, not sound junkies, its still worth noting that if Neil didn't push for the highest standards in all that he does none of us would be on this site because Neil wouldn't be the best of the best ... Finally, buying the archives does not mean you're "buying" Massey Hall again, Neil was nice enough to throw us some bones before the main course ... it doesn't warrent a complaint if the main course comes with a little side of bones ....

Also, see:
- Archives Q & A Session is Now Open

- Is Blu-Ray Dead Already? Not So Fast Yet

- The Archives Turns Fans Blu

- Followup discussion on Rust

- Steve Hoffman Audiophile Forums