Consistently the most enjoyable listening experiences Ive had (other than live music, of course) have been thanks to good analog recordings produced on good quality vinyl played on a good turntable. All things being of more or less equal quality (sound engineering, recording equipment, venue, performance, etc.) Id choose this format over any other. A possible exception could be master tapes played on the original recorders, but thats a topic for another time.
So I will limit my comments mainly (but not entirely) to vinyl defined as: good analog/good vinyl/good playback. Id like to emphasize that the following comments are my opinions and are drawn from the way I hear sounds and experience musical events.
Vinyl conveys more emotiona sentiment Ive heard reiterated by some recording artists. No doubt this is partly due to analog's excellent ability to capture low level detail and nuance.
Vinyl generally sounds more natural than digital (and I have a pretty fair CD player an Audio Note 3.1x.).
Live recordings sounds more life-like on vinyl. Compare the sound of clapping or ambient audience noise, for example, between analog and digital.
The notes are easier to read, and often more comprehensive. One of my album sets comes with a 157p booklet! Others (e.g. classical LP sets) have complete scores. Illustrations and photographs are large; covers can be like pieces of art. I like the feeling of the weight and size of albums. I hate CD jewel boxes, and messing around with the little booklets.
I like being able to 'fine-tune' the sound with different cartridges, tracking weight, etc.
Vinyl demands my attention. Getting up and down changing tracks is an incredible nuisance compared to the ease of using a remote. So I tend to listen for longer uninterrupted periods when I play records. A good thing, I think. (When listening to CDs I deliberately place the remote far away to discourage myself from changing tracks should my mind wander.)
An interesting and perhaps relevant observation: the same vinyl record sounds a bit different every time it is played (at least to me). This is probably due to very miniscule mechanical fluctuations. No, don't think it's my gear (LP12/Lingo and Oracle Delphi). I like that the sound is not so predicableothers may disagree. But, as I said earlier, all these comments are just personal opinions.
Having said all that, I still enjoy my CD collection (about a thousand in number). I just prefer listening to vinyl.
So I will limit my comments mainly (but not entirely) to vinyl defined as: good analog/good vinyl/good playback. Id like to emphasize that the following comments are my opinions and are drawn from the way I hear sounds and experience musical events.
Vinyl conveys more emotiona sentiment Ive heard reiterated by some recording artists. No doubt this is partly due to analog's excellent ability to capture low level detail and nuance.
Vinyl generally sounds more natural than digital (and I have a pretty fair CD player an Audio Note 3.1x.).
Live recordings sounds more life-like on vinyl. Compare the sound of clapping or ambient audience noise, for example, between analog and digital.
The notes are easier to read, and often more comprehensive. One of my album sets comes with a 157p booklet! Others (e.g. classical LP sets) have complete scores. Illustrations and photographs are large; covers can be like pieces of art. I like the feeling of the weight and size of albums. I hate CD jewel boxes, and messing around with the little booklets.
I like being able to 'fine-tune' the sound with different cartridges, tracking weight, etc.
Vinyl demands my attention. Getting up and down changing tracks is an incredible nuisance compared to the ease of using a remote. So I tend to listen for longer uninterrupted periods when I play records. A good thing, I think. (When listening to CDs I deliberately place the remote far away to discourage myself from changing tracks should my mind wander.)
An interesting and perhaps relevant observation: the same vinyl record sounds a bit different every time it is played (at least to me). This is probably due to very miniscule mechanical fluctuations. No, don't think it's my gear (LP12/Lingo and Oracle Delphi). I like that the sound is not so predicableothers may disagree. But, as I said earlier, all these comments are just personal opinions.
Having said all that, I still enjoy my CD collection (about a thousand in number). I just prefer listening to vinyl.