Just when I thought the compulsion to upgrade was under control . . .

SolidSqual

So I finally got my system complete and running. The music is wonderful. I no longer spend my spare time perusing new gear in the magazines or wading through used gear on Audiogon. It has been wonderfully liberating. Until recently . . . recently, I've been googling local record stores here in Ohio. I also signed up for Ebay. Now, I spend my nights surfing Ebay, Elusivedisc, and Musicdirect for Vinyl and spend my weekends rummaging through amazing collections of vinyl for sale around Ohio. What the hell is wrong with me?

I find myself considering how wonderful vinyl sounds compared to everything else. Then I begin thinking how vinyl wears overtime and how this is so poetic and true to life. Then I focus on the process involved to bring a good tune to the turntable. There are just so many life lessons in spinning vinyl. Vinyl is literally all the hard work my Dad taught me as a kid. So now, instead of upgrading my gear, I'm upgrading my music collection. What a rabbit hole.

tonyb

Your a sick, sick man Mike. Gotta love it though. Vinyl sounding better than anything else ? Won't get an arguement from me. Funny how even music formats can come full circle. Good luck on your search, some old records at garage sales can be had cheap, and the good vinyl too. Now you just have to explain to the wife where your going to keep 100's maybe 1000's of albums.

heiney9

To get great sounding vinyl takes some investment ($$$) and work. As wonderful as the sound can be, the "ritual" is not for me. I would enjoy the hunt for vinyl, but that's about it. For those that do enjoy the entire tedious process to do it absolutely right, have fun and enjoy.

H9

SolidSqual

heiney9 wrote: »

To get great sounding vinyl takes some investment ($$$) and work. As wonderful as the sound can be, the "ritual" is not for me. I would enjoy the hunt for vinyl, but that's about it. For those that do enjoy the entire tedious process to do it absolutely right, have fun and enjoy.

H9

I agree. To get vinyl to sound better than CD certainly requires an investment that some would not be willing to make. But, the work is not really too tough once you have a nice process established. It really becomes just as enjoyable as listening to the records themselves. Actually, with a nice record cleaner, the process is quite painless.

heiney9

I know guys that steam records before putting them on the record cleaner. I also have friends that have 100+ waiting in the queue to be cleaned because they just don't have the time. That would be me, as I'd rather take the time I have to actually sit down and listen than spend that potential time cleaning and processing vinyl. But I totally get it, so I'm not ragging on those that prefer the whole vinyl experience.

H9

nooshinjohn

SolidSqual wrote: »

I agree. To get vinyl to sound better than CD certainly requires an investment that some would not be willing to make. But, the work is not really too tough once you have a nice process established. It really becomes just as enjoyable as listening to the records themselves. Actually, with a nice record cleaner, the process is quite painless.

getting an lp to sound better than it's cd counterpart is not that hard, or expensive. It can be done for less than 500 bucks. Getting them to sound better than lossless FLAC plyed througt a tube DAC is another challenge that will cost a lot more money than I care to spend. I have not gone digital myself however, and doubt I ever will.

tonyb

Everything in audio is a process, some easier than others, but it's the enjoyment that matters most. Rock it Mike, what are spinning now, anything ?

heiney9

nooshinjohn wrote: »

getting an lp to sound better than it's cd counterpart is not that hard, or expensive. It can be done for less than 500 bucks.

I disagree, of course it depends on the level of the cd playback system. If you are talking about a inexpensive cdp or dvdp, then perhaps. Vinyl has to be uber clean and if you aren't using a cleaning machine (which could easily eat up all the $500) you need a system of chemicals and a steamer, etc.

If I could go all in for $500 and best my cd playback I'd be in it a long time ago. I have found that not be even remotely possible at the $500 level.

H9

P.s. A decent phono pre-amp starts at about $150.

SolidSqual

nooshinjohn wrote: »

getting an lp to sound better than it's cd counterpart is not that hard, or expensive. It can be done for less than 500 bucks. Getting them to sound better than lossless FLAC plyed througt a tube DAC is another challenge that will cost a lot more money than I care to spend. I have not gone digital myself however, and doubt I ever will.

$500? I guess it depends on your digital gear. I bet my my Orpheus makes most sub $1k - $2k vinyl rigs sound like garbage. The Orpheus makes possible the most vinyl like digital I have ever heard.

Face

http://vinyl-records.soundstagedirect.com/search?p=Q&lbc=soundstagedirect&uid=860952092&ts=custom&w=tool&isort=score&method=and&view=grid&modaf=r:byartist:tool

SolidSqual

Awesome. How did you know? I've been scoping out Tool Vinyl all week!

SolidSqual

heiney9 wrote: »

I disagree, of course it depends on the level of the cd playback system. If you are talking about a inexpensive cdp or dvdp, then perhaps. Vinyl has to be uber clean and if you aren't using a cleaning machine (which could easily eat up all the $500) you need a system of chemicals and a steamer, etc.

If I could go all in for $500 and best my cd playback I'd be in it a long time ago. I have found that not be even remotely possible at the $500 level.

H9

P.s. A decent phono pre-amp starts at about $150.

Exactly, the costs for a TT, Phono, cables, cleaning supplies, etc. easily put the cost beyond $500.

Face

I have 10,000 Days and Salvial on the way, and already own everything else there plus Parabola on vinyl.

And less than $500 for vinyl that sound better than CD...maybe if you're using an old CDP or cheapo DVD player.

cnh

Record cleaning machine? Not going to happen. Vinyl. Sure I have a couple of milk crates or so. And I add to the collection from time to time. Have an old Technics quartz lock Direct Drive table--virtually "indestructible". And a decent Ortofon cartridge on there. But, to tell you the truth if I listen to ONE album a week that's something.

Even though the rig sits on the side desk in my office so all I need is to reach over and put a record on it. Pretty simple! I do like the vinyl when I'm actually playing it, but I don't play it often? Can't really say why. Maybe because it's "old hat". I grew up when vinyl and R-T-R were the only media. So maybe it's too nostalgic for me. Or maybe I'm just pissed that I never had any decent equipment to play my records on throughout my youth...and now in middle-age, I'm going to play more vinyl?

Whatever the reason....probably my greater investments in CD sound, vinyl takes a back seat in my office for now. Maybe I'll get over my issues, eventually! lol

cnh

SolidSqual

I needed to get Aenima and 10,000 Days.

Have you seen this on Ebay: TOOL-Aenima-2 LP-Green Vinyl-Gatefold Jacket-Poster-UK Pressing-New-Unplayed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOOL-Aenima-2-LP-Green-Vinyl-Gatefold-Jacket-Poster-UK-Pressing-New-Unplayed-/320851356488?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item4ab43b2b48&autorefresh=true#ht_508wt_1396

What's up with that? Are those bootleg pressings?

nooshinjohn

after getting back into vinyl, I spent 300 bucks on a Denon DP52f, that already had a Denon DL103 cartridge. A manual brush cleaning pad and cleaning fluid can be had for 25 buck or less. My CDP at the time was a Carver SD/a-490t tube player, which was no slouch. The Denon was easily better. My current setup is a Yamaha PX-3 with a Sumiko BPS evoIII. I still clean my LP's the old fashioned way, and this setup sounds better than my Pioneer Elite PDdj-9 SACD. of course your ears and mileage may vary, but the warmth and detail contained within the grooves of an lp usually sound better than the shiny bits of 1's and 0's on a disc, but that's just my opinion.

Face

SolidSqual wrote: »

I needed to get Aenima and 10,000 Days.

Have you seen this on Ebay: TOOL-Aenima-2 LP-Green Vinyl-Gatefold Jacket-Poster-UK Pressing-New-Unplayed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOOL-Aenima-2-LP-Green-Vinyl-Gatefold-Jacket-Poster-UK-Pressing-New-Unplayed-/320851356488?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item4ab43b2b48&autorefresh=true#ht_508wt_1396

What's up with that? Are those bootleg pressings?

I haven't seen that before. Not much Tool LP info on Wiki either.

Toolfan66

Face wrote: »

http://vinyl-records.soundstagedirect.com/search?p=Q&lbc=soundstagedirect&uid=860952092&ts=custom&w=tool&isort=score&method=and&view=grid&modaf=r:byartist:tool

There went $90!!!!

Thanks Mike!!!!

Toolfan66

SolidSqual wrote: »

I needed to get Aenima and 10,000 Days.

Have you seen this on Ebay: TOOL-Aenima-2 LP-Green Vinyl-Gatefold Jacket-Poster-UK Pressing-New-Unplayed

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOOL-Aenima-2-LP-Green-Vinyl-Gatefold-Jacket-Poster-UK-Pressing-New-Unplayed-/320851356488?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item4ab43b2b48&autorefresh=true#ht_508wt_1396

What's up with that? Are those bootleg pressings?

Rumor has it they are bootlegs, Just google bootleg Tool vinyl..

Toolfan66

I have about $2000 in vested in my vinyl rig and it sounds great, but I am ready for an upgrade..

SolidSqual

Yes, I will soon be the owner of Aenima and 10,000 Days on vinyl.

malvrich

I grew up with vinyl and cassette. Had a hi-fi rig since age 14. have collected vinyl since well before then.
Got into CDs in the 80s/90s but never could maintain any real collection. Still have 1500 or so LPs though.
It is a royal pain now to play an LP. Dig it out, brush it, play it, replace it in sleeve/cover/jacket, then put it bacl in rack.
Unless it's something I just dont have on digital or I am too lazy to power up the HDD, I dont play many LPs anymore.
However, I cherish my vinyl and still find it the most rewarding medium ever in my experience.
Have given away just about every CD i've ever had and dont miss a single 1.

polkfarmboy

I thought there was some kinda vinyl format that was ripped to high rez digital. If this is the case then wouldn't that sound better if not the same when played through a HQ DAC ?

SolidSqual

Yup. I got some ripped vinyl and it sounds superb when done right. What's really amazing is how the recording software can filter out clicks and pops. It truly brings the quality of vinyl to digital. That being said, the process of making good recordings and then the digital simplification of the whole vinyl spinning process, really kills some of what I most enjoy about vinyl.

heiney9

Analog converted to digital still has all the pitfalls of digital. I know that hi-rez rips certainly lessen the pitfalls and sound better. But digital is still digital even if the original is analog. You are not making a perfect, exact copy of the analog wave form.

H9

SolidSqual

heiney9 wrote: »

Analog converted to digital still has all the pitfalls of digital. I know that hi-rez rips certainly lessen the pitfalls and sound better. But digital is still digital even if the original is analog. You are not making a perfect, exact copy of the analog wave form.

H9

Totally true but the digital rips I've heard are nonetheless impressive, especially the 24/12 rips.

Toolfan66

SolidSqual wrote: »

Yes, I will soon be the owner of Aenima and 10,000 Days on vinyl.

Thats what I ordered.:cheesygrin:

EndersShadow

At least your only upgrading your music. If you were upgrading those beautiful speakers to something else I might have to start questioning things lol.....

SCompRacer

heiney9 wrote: »

To get great sounding vinyl takes some investment ($$$) and work. As wonderful as the sound can be, the "ritual" is not for me. I would enjoy the hunt for vinyl, but that's about it. For those that do enjoy the entire tedious process to do it absolutely right, have fun and enjoy.

H9

What ritual? I've added a record changer option to the Lenco. It can hold up to 4 LP's now!



:twisted::cheesygrin:

evhudsons

I just picked up a technics 1200 mk2 for a $100. Now my system sounds a thousand times better than when I was using my wife's gemini tt. I'm going to use the gemini xl500 and make a rcm. The sound is not so much the issue, it's the fact it is relaxing and a method to really concentrate on listening to music for enjoyment and not background noise. I like a fine cigar but I don't mow the lawn while enjoying a cigar, the same with some music. My wife gets it now. We put on some getz au go go jazz after a harsh day at work, and you could see her melt into the couch with her glass of wine and was immersed in the wonderful warm music and huge soundstage. When entertaining or cooking, or chatting we use cd's or stream music. But the ritual of vinyl is relaxing and musically rewarding.

Face

Should I open it or no? :evil: