"But don't say that the sound is better"

F1nut

I already knew this, but it's nice to see professionals confirm it.

http://www.laweekly.com/music/why-cds-may-actually-sound-better-than-vinyl-5352162

Nightfall

Yes, CD's have the capability of higher dynamic range but in reality a lot of albums released in the past (whatever it is years) have brickwalled CD's with their LP counterpart actually having more dynamic range.

I'm not 100% one over the other, though. I enjoy LP's, CD's, high res FLAC - doesn't matter to me, the music contained does.

F1nut

Dynamic range was only part of that article.

Nightfall

Right, lopping off at certain frequencies. This has to be a case by case scenario though, no? I I wonder what the cannon shots on 1812 overture go down to on the LP? You can see the grooves. Over 20kHz is no problem either. The issue arises when an album that should be split across two records is recorded on a single record, is that right?

HzTweaker

Great article. My preference is CD, but I'm starting to go "down the rabbit hole" and get into the vinyl trend. I only have a handful of vinyl so far. A few that were printed (is that the correct term for making a vinyl?) when it was the way; and a few that are of todays music printed. Before I read this article I wondered what the sound difference was going to be like. . Can't wait to try it out for myself.

Nightfall

Pressed

F1nut

Scratched

HzTweaker

lions tigers & bears.. .

motorhead43026

Oh my.

mhardy6647

DSC_0092 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

'nuff said.

;- )

headrott

mhardy6647 wrote: »

DSC_0092 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

'nuff said.

;- )

Hell yeah!!

treitz3

Mark has a point there Jesse. My only issue with that is limited sources.

Until they optimize both LP's and CD's to optimize the sound on BOTH equally, I will continue to choose which one sounds better to me.

Tom

mantis

There is no question about the vs. But people love Vinyl and who cares if it's better or worse. It's a emotional connection to ones past that makes people want it again or still.
Cd came out sounding like **** and improved over the years to a what it is today which is basically dead. Hardly no one spins CD's anymore.
I just Installed a $1500.00 Thorn's table just 2 days ago.

MrBuhl

I too am an equal opportunity abuser, I like some pressings of vinyl better than some of my CD's, some of my SACD's better than both of those, and honestly, sometimes, one sounds better with one rig, and not so great on the other rig. The variation in recording & production makes things interesting & frustrating.

I'm on my 4th copy of Kansas - Point of Know Return, and I've yet to find a vinyl copy I'm pleased with (all have been clean and flawless). But it sounds great on CD. I have a gold digital remaster of Genesis Abacab on CD that sounds great, but I like the vinyl better. OTOH, I have a remaster of Duke where the CD is soooo much better than the vinyl version I have.

All you can really say is sometimes it sounds better to me.

K_M

Better versus accurate.

We own hundreds of old records, that even though they were kept in very good to great shape, are still not examples of perfection, but are very enjoyable even with minor flaws.

As far as being more accurate, obviously the original recording did not hold these minor flaws and distortions of sound, so it is less accurate but still fun!

tonyb

Good article, they pretty much touched on everything of concern between the format and loudness wars.

Like everything though, saying one is better than another is only applicable to each individual. We all have our own preferences. Which is why none of the formats will go away altogether.....well except the 8-track, that was a gimme.

Gave up vinyl long ago, pain in the rear....listening to music shouldn't involve pain. I loved R2R, analog sound without the pops and clicks of vinyl.....but those tapes uhg.

Digital is finally able to compete with the cdp and SACD, it's easy and convenient too for our lazy society. Like everything too, it all starts at the beginning, the recording. No matter the format, you can't take a t u r d and turn it into a slice of cheesecake.

lightman1

Squirrel!

heiney9

Tubes Rule w/ analog or digital..............

Ain't got tubes................ain't got soul!

H9

lightman1

Pfffft....tubes...dahell?!!

Jhayman

I bought the 1812 Telarc version of Discogs, I really did not know there are only a few carts and arms capable of playing this record all the way through.
Every time I tried to play it no matter which needle I used it always kicked out the needle at the Cannon blasts section.
Interesting facts about the album on the inside covers..
Still love my vinyl but I have this album that I will never enjoy due to its requirements.

steveinaz

Haven't we always known it was about personal preference?

Look at the solid state vs tubes argument. SS outperforms (in a technical fashion) tube equipment, and does so in a more efficent manner, BUT as this article points out, the numbers can be great, but if the audience prefers.........

...and there it is.

We older listeners have grown up accustomed to analog distortions that we found pleasing. Kinda like going to Italy and having spaghetti---and being totally disappointed because you're used to your American Mom's spaghetti---authentic or not.

mopar paul

That is a very good and informative article, thanks for the link.

I enjoy the hunt of vinyl, enjoy it's nostalgia and even how it sounds for the most part.

But- I'm not sinking endless money into a perfect turntable that has a less than perfect media on it. I have about $2500 in my table and that's my limit. Records just have physical limitations that cannot be ignored. Nonetheless I'll keep buying and cleaning!

I usually can get records for $2 and if I like the lp enough, I will try the cd version and keep whichever one sounds the most pleasing to my ear.

treitz3

TonyB wrote:

Like everything though, saying one is better than another is only applicable to each individual. We all have our own preferences. Which is why none of the formats will go away altogether.....well except the 8-track, that was a gimme.

Well, I would agree but I don't recall seeing any cassette tapes anymore. In fact, I don't recall seeing players either. Same goes for LaserDisc. I would imagine those formats are gone with the wind by now......although I *could* be wrong on that assumption.

Tom

heiney9

Some of the best sounding music (at the time) is when I would record my cd's to my Nakamichi Dragon using premium high bias or metal oxide cassettes. This was in the late 80's early 90's. That Nak was (all Nak's) was superb. Because of the early issues with cd's and cd transfers being a bit harsh, putting it on tape through what ever magic electronics in the Dragon made the music much better.

I wish I still had my Dragon today. It would be very interesting to take the Dragon hooked to an old school cdp, make a recording and compare it to a modern release on modern digital gear.

H9

tonyb

steveinaz wrote: »

Haven't we always known it was about personal preference?

Look at the solid state vs tubes argument. SS outperforms (in a technical fashion) tube equipment, and does so in a more efficent manner, BUT as this article points out, the numbers can be great, but if the audience prefers.........

...and there it is.

We older listeners have grown up accustomed to analog distortions that we found pleasing. Kinda like going to Italy and having spaghetti---and being totally disappointed because you're used to your American Mom's spaghetti---authentic or not.

Ohh Steve, don't make me fly out there and smack ya upside the head. lol Pasta in America doesn't hold a candle to pasta in Italy. Preferences or not.....the real deal is still the real deal.

The article brings up all the old pro's and con's, nothing we haven't trashed about here since day 1. Comes down to preferences, which is why we have such a variety of gear/formats to enjoy music with. Life would be boring in a one size fits all world.

vmaxer

Very interesting read F1

madmax

Articles are a great way to convince ones self of an alternate reality. I once read one that said LPs sound better, I think I'll stick with that one for now.

vmaxer

madmax wrote: »

Articles are a great way to convince ones self of an alternate reality. I once read one that said LPs sound better, I think I'll stick with that one for now.

I still have LP's and still buy some. I don't have my turntable set up currently but will soon. I do enjoy vinyl at times, but it does take more effort, plus cleaning them.

PolkMaster1

After hearing 100 CDs that I have on vinyl, I can claim that vinyl sounds better.

When listening to Vinyl, there is more texture in the sound that a CD cannot reproduce. I once had a $3000 CD player which could not reproduce the sound that analog can.

Note that you need to have the right gear in place for great vinyl playback.

madmax

Its all good stuff! The article could be half way believeable if it were about high res rather than CD...

PolkMaster1

I should note that I did not read the article, but I did enjoy reading everyones comments.

I will get to the article later.