Vinyl is ridiculous . . .

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited March 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I've been mowing through my new library of LPs and comparing them to their CD counterparts and I just can't believe what I am hearing. Vinyl offers some much more detail and accurate instrument placement that I absolutely feel like I am at a live performance.

Getting a GOOD (keyword) setup has been without a doubt the most significant upgrade I have ever made.

There are just no words for what I am feeling right now. What I do know is that despite all the hassle vinyl may offer, you get out what you put in.

I know it's cliche but I have never ever in my entire life tapped my toe and bobbed my head so much while listening to music. It's fantastic and way beyond a minor improvement in sound quality.
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2009
    Ding, ding, ding . . . another satisfied customer. I love when a good plan comes together.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2009
    There was a story on the news, a couple night ago, about how vinyl is making a huge comeback. I'll try to find it later on.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2009
    Vinyl is still the medium to compare all other mediums to.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited March 2009
    I had that epiphany about a year ago when I put Dire Straits Brothers in Arms on a cheap Yamaha TT I'd found at a pawn shop. The irony of it is that the original recording of Brothers In Arms was done digitally. None the less I understood right there and then why all the fuss over vinyl. The only **** thing with more and more converts is more people competing for the good cheap vinyl out there in yard sales and good will stores. Oh well, enjoy the awesome sound SS.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
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    The Clamp
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2009
    Nice to hear you're diggin it!!! Just as long as you don't proclaim that you had an out of body experience!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2009
    It gave me an out-of-body experience!:D:p
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2009
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    It gave me an out-of-body experience!:D:p

    Damn!!! That's one hell of a "Large" experience to say the least! :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited March 2009
    I recently switched over to vinyl and I love it. It is killing me financially, but I still love it!
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited March 2009
    I have bought at least 20+ LP's in the last month, And i really don't see no turning back.

    Listening to TOOL Undertow right now on vinyl.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2009
    I haven't listened to Vinyl in ages. I don't disagree with anything said above...except to say how do you get around the annoying surface noise that went away with digital sound...and what about the fact that Vinyl wears out! It will wear even if you're running a 15K turntable--which, frankly, I think is an outrageous idea.

    Having said that, yeah I've got some old vinyl and will be looking for a turntable at some point.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    I haven't listened to Vinyl in ages. I don't disagree with anything said above...except to say how do you get around the annoying surface noise that went away with digital sound...and what about the fact that Vinyl wears out! It will wear even if you're running a 15K turntable--which, frankly, I think is an outrageous idea.

    Having said that, yeah I've got some old vinyl and will be looking for a turntable at some point.

    cnh

    A properly cleaned and maintained record along with the proper TT/tonearm/cart illiminates surface noise. As far as record wear goes the leading cause is distortion cause again by an improperly setup TT/tonearm/cartridge.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    I don't think vinyl is ridiculous. It's just a pain in the butt, but to each their own. Personally, I wish you guys would stop talking about records, because it is wearing my willpower down. The last thing I need is a $600 record cleaning machine. Ouch!
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I don't think vinyl is ridiculous. It's just a pain in the butt, but to each their own. Personally, I wish you guys would stop talking about records, because it is wearing my willpower down. The last thing I need is a $600 record cleaning machine. Ouch!

    Muuuuuuuuhhhuuuuuuuhhhhaaaaaaaa:eek::D
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited March 2009
    Maybe someday I can get rid of my cheap manual turntable and get me one of those good ones that stacks and changes the record for you. :eek:
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    Polkersince85 wrote: »
    Maybe someday I can get rid of my cheap manual turntable and get me one of those good ones that stacks and changes the record for you. :eek:

    For optimum playback, you need to tape a penny to the top of the tonearm over the needle. Works great.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    +1 for vinyl. Since getting my TT 2 weeks ago I have not listened to a single piece of digital audio.

    Picked up 6 more today from half price books. Great shape, even found a nice copy of Spooky Tooth - You broke my heart so I busted your jaw.

    I blame hearingimpaired;)
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • krankwald
    krankwald Posts: 19
    edited March 2009
    Awesome man. Vinyl is what listening to music is all about - the music. It's not relegated to background noise for some other activity. You sit down, put on a side, and listen...ahhhh. I think that copy of It's A Beautiful Day / Carnegie Hall that I picked up for $1.00 last weekend is calling....
    2-Channel:
    Pro-Ject Debut III
    Oppo DV-980H
    Rogue Cronus (Magnum)
    Totem Mites
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited March 2009
    thsmith wrote: »
    even found a nice copy of Spooky Tooth - You broke my heart so I busted your jaw.

    I got that one last summer in a box I bought at a local auction. Pretty good actually. Weird title but good music.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited March 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    I haven't listened to Vinyl in ages. I don't disagree with anything said above...except to say how do you get around the annoying surface noise that went away with digital sound...and what about the fact that Vinyl wears out! It will wear even if you're running a 15K turntable--which, frankly, I think is an outrageous idea.

    Having said that, yeah I've got some old vinyl and will be looking for a turntable at some point.

    cnh

    I'm listening to Tool Undertow right now and before that Keb' Mo' Keb' Mo'. Both albums have been made dead silent thanks to my VPI 16.5 record cleaner. Seriously maybe 2 pops during both albums collectively.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited March 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I'm listening to Tool Undertow right now and before that Keb' Mo' Keb' Mo'. Both albums have been made dead silent thanks to my VPI 16.5 record cleaner. Seriously maybe 2 pops during both albums collectively.

    I agree. A record cleaning machine makes a huge difference. Earlier today I listened to the Rolling Stones Beggar's Banquet. This was an original almost 40 year old copy that appears to have a fair amount of surface scratches. However, after cleaning thoroughly on my Nitty Gritty machine the record played with a nearly totally black background and deep wide soundstage and breathtaking dynamics. Phenomonal.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited March 2009
    Ah, Beggar's Banquet, one of their finest. I was not much of a fan of "Salt of the Earth" until I listened to it on record, it blew me away. The entire record is incredible, the soundstage that a record gives it is ridiculous. I am in the same situation as thesmith, since last october when I bought my TT, I have not listened to a single cd, no joke! Except in the car of course!
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited March 2009
    TSWisla wrote: »
    Ah, Beggar's Banquet, one of their finest. I was not much of a fan of "Salt of the Earth" until I listened to it on record, it blew me away. The entire record is incredible, the soundstage that a record gives it is ridiculous. I am in the same situation as thesmith, since last october when I bought my TT, I have not listened to a single cd, no joke! Except in the car of course!


    You mean you don't have a cassette or 8 track player? :D
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2009
    Fortunately for me, most of the artists I enjoy (i.e., indie) don't make vinyl recordings, so I won't be tempted.

    I still haven't heard a TT rig that sounded better than CDs. I don't doubt it, though. SS -- send me a plane ticket...
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited March 2009
    It is a bit hard for me to believe as well. I don't even have a TT but was really tempted to let Bagged's LP offer at $75 be the catalyst.

    Gotta find out what all the "kids" are hearing!

    I grew up with my mom listening to Bob Seger, the Gogos, Air Supply John Denver and the Beatles all on Vinyl.

    I asked her about them recently but alas they no longer exist :(
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • dagame27
    dagame27 Posts: 574
    edited March 2009
    Vinyl can sound great, or be a giant pain in the **** in my opinion. When set up properly w/ a clean record, there is nothing better. However, the pain in the **** part comes in getting old vinyl that is actually in decent shape (particularly when ordering online). It's not fun when you are looking forward to playing that old record you bought, only to find it loaded with surface noise and pops. Alas, it sounds good enough when right that I will keep buying.

    P.S. New high res vinyl is awesome.
    ChrisPreamp: Anthem Pre 2L (Jan-Phillips Green) Processor: Marantz SR7012 Amp: B&K 200.5Streaming: Bluesound Node 2IDAC: Eastern Electric Minimax Plus4K Bluray: Panasonic UB820Mains: Von Schweikert VR2Center: Von Schweikert LCR15 Subs: 2 SVS Sb13 Ultra (HT Only) Analysis Plus Cables
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited March 2009
    Early B. wrote: »
    Fortunately for me, most of the artists I enjoy (i.e., indie) don't make vinyl recordings, so I won't be tempted.

    I still haven't heard a TT rig that sounded better than CDs. I don't doubt it, though. SS -- send me a plane ticket...

    Seriously, one of these days you'll have to make the hall up here.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited March 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    You mean you don't have a cassette or 8 track player? :D

    Funny that you should mention "tape",it is afterall, where all "vinyl" records originate from !!:eek::)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    no it is not.


    RT1
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited March 2009
    Very nice! Enjoy man:). Hope I get the same enjoyment when I get my TT.
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  • Evanguy2004
    Evanguy2004 Posts: 77
    edited March 2009
    I grew up with vinyl. I guess in a perfect world with no dust, pops or warpness vinyl might sound better than CDs. Also it sounds like having the state of the art cleaning equipment and turntable helps too. I still have all my old LPs from the 1970's and 1980's. I bought a nice Sony turntable from a garage sale a few years ago for like 5 bucks. I picked up a nice cartridge needle set from Best Buy too. I have it set up in my rack connected to my AVR 1706. I might have to give them a spin again to compare vinyl vs. CD digital. Besides the pops, skips and warping I never liked getting up after 20 minutes to flip the LP to the other side. I love my 200 disc Sony CD player. Once I hit play I'm good to go for like 2 weeks of solid music listening with ever getting out of my comfy chair!!
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