"For many people it is more about the content than the sound quality, which is why there is such a huge market for live bootlegs of Grateful Dead concerts."

Very true, but it should be noted that tapers at Dead concerts strived for the best they could get. Soundboards were usually preferred over audience tapes. Deadheads in the taper section were using DAT tapes.

It is also important to consider that the tapes of Dead concerts were not intended for commercial distribution. The Dead allowed recording and trading, but they would go after bootleggers who tried to sell these inferior recordings.

Content is a key, just as we discussed earlier with Woody Guthrie. Total perfection is not critical, but the artists strived for the best they could get.

No offense to anyone here, but there are very few Woody Guthries or Grateful Deads out there.