the appeal of vinyl

Norm Apter

The discussion of cassettes has prompted me to think seriously about vinyl. As someone who doesn't own any vinyl, I have an open mind and would like to hear from those who do.

What is it about vinyl that you like? Is it sonic quality or the fact that records make a really cool item to collect and play, or a little of both? I assume that most of you who own vinyl, in fact, own both vinyl and CDs and, if so, I'm wondering on what basis would you choose to purchase vinyl over CD, assuming that the album in question is available in both formats? Are there certain genres of music or even certain albums that just sound better on vinyl than CD to your ears?

hockeyboy

I don't collect vinyl, but the thing that I do love about it is they have these awesome covers man. You just don't get that with other media.

Fongolio

I'm a recent convert. I too wondered what all the fuss was about, then in a pawn shop early this year I spotted an old Yamaha tt that looked to be in pretty good shape. They also had an old Carver receiver (CR-772). I brought it home and with just a pair of old surrounds I don't even use any more I spun Dire Straits Brothers in Arms which I borrowed. I was blown away by how rich and full it sounded. I have this album on cd and DVD-Audio but neither sounded as good as the vinyl. And this is with the turntable not even set up properly. I was sold. I now have 5 more old turntables a great Hafler amp I found at a garage sale a Carver C-1 pre amp and a Carver CT-Seven pre-amp (can you tell I love Carver stuff?). I use my Polk RTiA7's for both home theater and two channel (they are on a switch). Vinyl makes the Polks come alive. These are really great speakers for music in my humble opinion. Since winter I started with no vinyl records and I am now approaching 500. I find them at thrift stores, garage sales, ebay, and of course George Grand here on the forum. I still love surround formats such as dts dvda and sacd but I listen to vinyl at least 4 to 1 of the others now. So to answer your question, for me, the rich and full sonics beat cd hands down plus the finding and collecting good vinyl is a blast. It's a tweakers dream too. BEWARE though....upgraditus lurks everywhere in this two channel analog world.

cfrizz

Been there, done that, not interested in going back to snap, crackle & pop. Not interested in needing endless amounts of space to hold all the snap, crackle & pop. Not interested in cleaning, vacuming, straightening, etc. etc. of albums.

Time marches on, change has occurred & I'm going with the change, not back to the past.

analog97

Why vinyl?

1. Vinyl playback can achieve the highest level of sound reproduction.
2. Vinyl is inherently a non-fatiguing sound.
3. The LP's are filled with art. Look at a beautiful gatefold, any number come to mind. Many albums are simply wonderful pieces of art work.
4. Vinyl sources are abundant. With a little time, one can have hundreds of excellent records for "a song".
5. CD's degrade rapidly from exposure to low-dose cosmic radiation. CD's have also been shown to reflect too much sunlight directly to the eyes of excessive users, resulting in pineal gland rotting and frontal lobe impairment thus causing such users to suffer impaired judgment and to conclude that CD's are superior to vinyl.:D:D

SCompRacer

Norm Apter wrote: »

What is it about vinyl that you like?

Along with the some of the reasons stated, add nostalgia. I remember going to parties and the latest LP’s were being spun along with the old favorites. CD’s didn’t exist yet. Fond memories, and some not so fond...LOL. I grew up with vinyl and was never really out of it. All that has changed is my investment in it.

Is it sonic quality…..

Your perception of vinyl playback will be influenced by the quality of the recording and the gear used to play it compared to the quality of the CD recording and the gear used to play it. Just because it is on vinyl doesn’t mean it is recorded well.

I assume that most of you who own vinyl, in fact, own both vinyl and CDs and, if so, I'm wondering on what basis would you choose to purchase vinyl over CD, assuming that the album in question is available in both formats? Are there certain genres of music or even certain albums that just sound better on vinyl than CD to your ears?

I have music first moods and quality recording moods. If I really like a recording, vinyl will get the nudge if it is an excellent recording. While you can buy inexpensive vinyl, buying newly remastered vinyl is expensive. An example. To me, one of my better sounding vinyl records is a 200 gram Japanese pressing of Gaucho. The LP is near perfect in every detail. It ran me $40. After I bought it, there was a price increase and it went up another $10. Check out some of the discussions over at the Music Corner at the Steve Hoffman forums. Quality of recordings on the various formats are discussed.

Noise upon playback depends on the condition of the LP and the gear used to play it.

You will find vinyl purists who sneer at digital. Only you can decide for yourself. I enjoy both at my place and neither are fatiguing to listen to.

strider

As stated above, the artwork's great (and easily seen), there are so many titles available on vinyl that haven't made it to CD, the sound can be great.

I don't understand the people who constantly talk trash about one format or the other. There are CD's that I enjoy, the recording and mastering is better then the comparable vinyl, while there are albums I feel the same way about. It's all personal preference.