Records are better. I actually heard it


Just went to a friend's house whose dad has a (somewhat low end) audiophile system. He had on a couple CD's in the background, but once we started talking audio stuff, he plopped on a record.

And I actually heard with my own ears how much better records sound than CD's! Granted, maybe his CD player was crappy, but really so was his record player. He bought the table at the swap meet for like $50 (supposedly great for bargain tables and records as well), and added a $200 MC cartridge.

But the music, oh the music. I had always just assumed it was going to take a ridiculously expensive system for me to be able to hear the difference. But no. The music was alive. Like it was right there, that's the only way to describe it. And it flowed. The highs seemed effortless and non-fatiguing. The record even had some scratches or whatever in it so that it crackled and popped a bit, but even with this I still preferred it.

I need to find a way to make room, but I don't think I'm going to be able to hold off on getting a turntable for very long. Is there anyone who thinks it would be a big mistake to follow in my friend's dad's footsteps and buy an old table at the swap meet for $50 and add a nice $200 MC cartridge to it? He's picking up records at the swap meet for $1-$2 apiece. That's an entry cost of like $300 for sound that appears to kill CD sound.
matt8268
Welcome aboard Matt8268! Give us a total budget and a description of your setup and we'll go to work for you.
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Welcome to the world of analogue, Matt. Not only does vinyl sound better (make sure you get a good record cleaning machine), but I go to used record stores and buy albums for $3-$7, and they're usually in excellent condition.
Way to go Matt, and welcome indeed!

I had a similar experience to yours not too long ago. I borrowed a friends vintage Thorens rig a while back and was amazed to find that certain thing that flows from those black grooves. That "rightness" about the way analog sounds ... and I can't get enough of it.

I bought and sold three tables in rapid succession (I was too anxious that way) and although I've hardly "arrived" at my "final" system (and it's a modest system by absolute standards) I get a thrill every time a spin an ellpee. I totally agree with the record cleaner thing too -- I just bought one and now understand all the hooplah folks were making over a good vacuum machine.

The folks around here have helped me a lot, just diggin' though the posts and learning all about this side of the audio addiction.

...now I spend my lunch breaks down at the local ellpee fishing grounds buying 4/1$ tunes (I'm not telling) and loving life!