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A Newbie's First Week Impressions -- Vinyl Rules

Well after owning my first turntable for a week and having let the cartrige run in a good bit (Music Hall MMF-5.1 with Goldring 1012 cart), I've come to the conclusion that I've heard nothing digital that even comes close to the realism here. In a way it feels as though somehow I have rediscovered music. Up until now, I had never heard a half-decent analog system, so I didn't know what to expect. I certainly didn't expect this much of a difference. So often on these forums I see comments posted by "vinyl zealots" and I can see how it is very easy to become one. And this is all with a very modestly priced turntable setup. I now feel as though my system has room to grow. Before I was always trying to dampen and smooth out the harsh sound of digital. I used to think that the harshness was caused by other things (solid state instead of tubes, bright speakers, etc.). After purchasing this turntable I discovered what the problem had been this whole time. I will probably never be able to afford a cd player that I think is capable of coming close to analog playback (I would imagine it would take a good $10k to reach that level). So to achieve audio playback that is acceptable to my ears, digital is just out of my reach.

So I guess this rant is really just my way of saying hello and welcoming myself to the vinyl crowd. I know I'm gonna be part of it for a long time.

P.S. Do you guys have any recommendations for record cleaning and ways to reduce static? I've already got a humidifer running...
jwglista
erider
39 posts
 
There is nothing digital ! I repeat nothing digital, regardless of the cost that can approach the sound of a well set up vinyl rig. One can spend thousands of dollars (and many on this forum do) to make digital sound more palatable but the inherent philosophy of digital playback is flawed. Of course, digital has the convenience factor, the no clicks and pops factor and the availability factor in it's favor. Strictly on a sound quality alone though digital sounds like bird droppings. The so-called "improved" sound of CDs is IMHO one of the biggest scams perpetrated on music lovers.

I have heard CD players worth more than a car, alongwith the best gadgets and gizmos that money can buy but have walked away unimpressed. Remember though that not all vinyl sounds good either. Overly mixed, multitracked lps sound terrible while some of the older stuff can sound wonderful.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I was always trying to dampen and smooth out the harsh sound of digital.
I know any number of audiophiles, some with systems costing well north of $100K, who've spent years and dollars trying to do just that. They typically end up with a bunch of rosy, smooth and soft sounding components that smother the life out of the music - all to make digitized waveforms tolerable.

When they (re)discover analog, they have a hard time shaking the (false) concept that their components need to protect them from the sound by gentling it. Natural waveforms don't need gentling, they need the most honest and accurate reproduction your budget and skills can achieve. Whatever level you're at, or hope to be at, the first thing to do when shifting to analog is to appreciate that honesty in a component is a good thing, never a bad thing. This is true of every component in the system.

And yes, record cleaning is essential. Playing any record, old or new, before proper cleaning guarantees inferior sound and risks permanent damage. Headsnappin' explained why. Welcome to vinyl madness. Enjoy!
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
And I am in the opposite camp I have never heard a vinyl rig that made me want to go there. Except for the fact that I have a bunch of vinyl in my basement and some TT's are very cool looking. My friend has a JA Michele (sp) and it is absolutely gorgeous. But not better sounding than my digital but it may just be his system.

Of course in my system I might change my mind. But I have never been able to get past the surface noise. Even minuet pops and clicks bother me.

Oh and yes he has a record cleaning machine and swears by it.
jskg
16 posts
 
I use a loricraft prc3. It is a miracle worker often restoring old records to new condition. It cannot of course remove scratches but often what seems to be a scratch turns out to be dirt. The machine was bought new and cost £1200! However if you have decent size record collection it will soon pay fo itself. Incidentally new records often benefit too.
headsnappin's avatar
headsnappin
295 posts
 
Doug, I agree whole heartedly, music is not always pretty!
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