Does vinyl really sound better than other formats?

[MULTIZ321]

Does vinyl really sound better than other formats?

Does vinyl really sound better than other formats?

Vinyl is often lauded for its warm sound, but is the experience of listening to a record tangibly different from digital or CD? We take a closer look

www.loudersound.com

Richard

 

[wackymother]

Thanks for posting this. I loathe vinyl--heavy, clunky, delicate things that require expensive, delicate equipment to use. I absolutely don't get the appeal, especially for most people's ears.

 

[Brett]

ScoopKona thinks vinyl is better

 

[tombanjo]

This post brought to you by

 

[MULTIZ321]

Audio-Technica Announces New Stylus For Vinyl Enthusiasts

Audio-Technica Announces New Stylus For Vinyl Enthusiasts

Venerable Japanese brand Audio-Technica has announced an affordable stylus upgrade for owners of the iconic Sound Burger AT-SB727/AT-SB2022 and AT-LP60/X turnables.

www.forbes.com

Richard

 

[ScoopKona]

ScoopKona thinks vinyl is better

And I think 30ips 1" magnetic tape sounds best of all.

Most people aren't comparing apples to apples or even apples to pineapples. They're comparing crappy, scratched-up record-club records to CDs. Meanwhile, the audiophile labels are still selling small-batch 45rpm two-disc releases of classic albums. And they're being snapped up faster than they can be pressed. A CD player digital audio chip can only create so many different sounds. It generates the sound which is closest to what was on the master tape. It's just as much as compromise as any other format.

Thankfully, I'll be alive to see quantum computers and quantum sampling. That means any title I enjoy will be available in "master audio tape" quality thanks to the same technology currently used to create astrophotography images.

 

[silentg]

Records skip

 

[ScoopKona]

Records skip

Only if mistreated. Mistreated CDs skip, too. Or more often, they simply refuse to play.

Nerds who take care of their music collection are rewarded with high-fidelity playback for life.

 

[easyrider]

I'm enjoying our steaming Yamaha receiver and Bose speakers. I do fondly remember my record collection and Marantz amp and Toshiba turn table. Out of all the records I once had, the only one remaining is the Rolling Stones Some Girls with the banned sleeve and I don't remember where I put it, lol.

Bill

 

[Makai Guy]

I still have a bunch of LPs from the '60s and '70s. Unfortunately by now a bunch of them sound like they were recorded on sandpaper. There are several favorites that I'm on my third copy.

 

[Talent312]

Me ex got all LP's and cassette tapes in the divorce.
- 24 years ago - I was glad to see 'em go.

 

[easyrider]

There are several favorites that I'm on my third copy.

So what are they Doug ? I'm also curious about your stereo system. Mine didn't make it through my kids teen years.

Bill

 

[pedro47]

I still have over fifty plus vinyl LP’s in my collection. Vinyl records are more durable than cassettes. However, vinyl is heavy, the proper storage of a large vinyl LP’s collection can take up a huge amount of space and you will need more electronics equipment to play and hear vinyl. IMHO

The art work on old vinyl album is just incredible and the information on the back of old LP’s is liked a music history lesson.

 

[jorcus]

And I think 30ips 1" magnetic tape sounds best of all.

Most people aren't comparing apples to apples or even apples to pineapples. They're comparing crappy, scratched-up record-club records to CDs. Meanwhile, the audiophile labels are still selling small-batch 45rpm two-disc releases of classic albums. And they're being snapped up faster than they can be pressed. A CD player digital audio chip can only create so many different sounds. It generates the sound which is closest to what was on the master tape. It's just as much as compromise as any other format.

Thankfully, I'll be alive to see quantum computers and quantum sampling. That means any title I enjoy will be available in "master audio tape" quality thanks to the same technology currently used to create astrophotography images.

This does depend on how the audio was mastered in the first place. A lot of mid 80's and beyond was mastered for digital reproduction. I have a decent size CD collection and there is a very wide variety of quality that comes out of my system. Some music just pops using CD because the audio engineers took advantages that digital offered.

Then again there is only so much many of us can hear anymore. I took a quick you tube audio test a few years ago and I don't think I am hearing anything over 16,000 hz. I can still tell if a recording is well mastered and reproduced but would have a hard time taking advantage of any small audio quality changes.

 

[jp10558]

This is all so outdated - Vinyl might ... maybe ... be "better" than an average MP3 the first time it's played if played on a very expensive soundsystem. But it degrades every time it's played. CDs degrade much much slower, but what really people are comparing to (for anyone serious about this) is going to be FLAC or high quality encoded opus, or other less known compression system. FLAC is lossless and perfect - it never degrades. It can be encoded at better than CD quality, but I strongly doubt there's actually a noticeable loss on a good CD equivalent.

And all of this goes out the window when you're considering most people are NOT using high end audio systems to even potentially notice - most people are using earbuds or car audio. Higher bitrate MP3 max out the reproduction of those speakers IMO.

The reason to use vinyl is the same reason some people get collector press books - it's not about the audio / text alone, it's the entire experience.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Remember the lovely scent after slitting the plastic on a vinyl record? That scent is emblazoned on my brain. Love that smell from my younger years. Nothing like it.

Streaming is great, but no smell.

 

[Superchief]

I have a very large vinyl collection because I bought most of my records prior to CD's. Although I currently don't have a stereo setup, I plan to put one in a room we are currently remodeling and will definitely have a turntable. When I bought a new album, I usually recorded most of my favorite songs on reel-to-reel and then put the album in plastic envelopes. Most of my records are still in very good condition. I really enjoyed opening the new album and reading all of the information. It was also helpful to have the lyrics for the songs. Queen II is still my favorite. I prefer the sound quality of vinyl unless the record is scratched. I never used a record changer because that was the most common cause of scratched vinyl.

 

[tombanjo]

I only buy them for the labels

 

[ScoopKona]

Thankfully, the vinyl fad peaked years ago.

Since people don't take care of their records, they'll get rid of their entire collection for the same reason they got rid of them the last time. The best part is, they have no idea which records are valuable. They think it's the Beatles -- despite the fact a gazillion copies of the White Album were pressed. Good. Hoard those White Albums. Younger collectors think Thriller is the be-all-and-end-all of valuable records. Again, good. A gazillion copies were made. I don't own one for the same reason I don't own any Tiny Tim.

Meanwhile, the actual rare records -- on labels like Chess and Blue Note -- aren't even noticed. People pass right over those so they can snag a copy of "The Best of the Doobie Brothers."

 

[Superchief]

Thankfully, the vinyl fad peaked years ago.

Since people don't take care of their records, they'll get rid of their entire collection for the same reason they got rid of them the last time. The best part is, they have no idea which records are valuable. They think it's the Beatles -- despite the fact a gazillion copies of the White Album were pressed. Good. Hoard those White Albums. Younger collectors think Thriller is the be-all-and-end-all of valuable records. Again, good. A gazillion copies were made. I don't own one for the same reason I don't own any Tiny Tim.

Meanwhile, the actual rare records -- on labels like Chess and Blue Note -- aren't even noticed. People pass right over those so they can snag a copy of "The Best of the Doobie Brothers."

I have the Nazz Nazz album that is on red vinyl. I read that there weren't many produced on the red vinyl, but don't know whether it is valuable. It is a great album with excellent drumming.

 

[pedro47]

I only buy them for the labelsView attachment 99499

LOL, where is that little yellow disc to play those 45 records on your turntable ,
45 records in the 1960's was liked the CD discs..

Warning, please do not scratch these 45 vinyl records or you would ruin the record.

 

[ScoopKona]

I have the Nazz Nazz album that is on red vinyl. I read that there weren't many produced on the red vinyl, but don't know whether it is valuable. It is a great album with excellent drumming.

You can look it up on Discogs.

 

[easyrider]

Remember the lovely scent after slitting the plastic on a vinyl record? That scent is emblazoned on my brain. Love that smell from my younger years. Nothing like it.

Streaming is great, but no smell.

I remember leaving some records on the coffee table. They got sun warped. They sounded kind of funny so I gave them away to unsuspecting stoners.

Bill