From experience, I reiterate the following:
1. The risk of stack taping is that you set up incorrectly so that your mics are not in a position to absorb the entire range of sound coming out of them.
2. You will rarely be able to position your mics on the stack so that you can capture the entire range of sound coming out of them.
3. Because the lowest bass coming out of the stacks will generally be beyond the range of your mics, you can increase your likelihood of not losing any of the highs without compromising your lows much by positioning your mics closer to the mid-and-high-end boxes.
4. As a result, in the right circumstances, the stack tape will have the same range of *music* on it as the section tape, but for the bit of low end you may not be able to capture due to stack configuration and corresponding mic placement. The section tape will have more room noise and a more full sound (more of a boomy low end) due to the distance from the stack providing room for the distinct sounds coming out of the stack to combine (or, if you're beyond the sweet spot, to become jumbled).
5. For shits and giggles, here is a recording from 4 or less inches from the stack in which I believe the circumstances were preferable for a good recording. (Moe DAR 04)
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=29580.0.
6. To compare, here is a recording from very close (1-2 feet), but due to the low profile requirements of the situation, preferable mic placement could not be achieved and hence more low end and less high end on the tape (the mics had to be hanging out of a computer bag at hip level in front of a stack that was 7-8 feet high). Although the tape has limitations, it was the only tape pulled and was really the only choice to get any recording. (Weir, Hart DC 9/2004)
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=30578.0I will open up either of these if anyone really wants to discuss this or make the decision on this stuff for yourself. Let me know.
-Charlies