Vinyl rips - still worth it?


Streaming is getting better. Is it still worth it, to record vinyl to digital files?

I would like comments based on experience. 

One basic issue should be mentioned. When you record a LP you are the owner of this recording. You can bring it along and play wherever you want. It is not just something you rent, like with streaming. You can play it regardless of an internet connection. And if your main system breaks down, or you get out of vinyl playback, you can still have a large library of your vinyl albums, in digital format.

Some factors are quite clear. The better the LP production and sound, the more value of a recording. The better your analog playback chain, and the recorder, the more value. The chance rises, that it will sound better than streaming.

Your experience is welcome.

My personal view is that, with fairly good LPs and a fairly good playback system and recorder, vinyl rips are still worth it.

Ag insider logo xs@2xo_holter

OP

 are you talking about making your own rips?  Or using a streaming service that plays rips?

  If you make your own rips onto your own storage device, then you own the product 

I like the idea of doing vinyl rips. I love my vinyl front end and also being able to play a vinyl master (usually more dynamic range than CD/streaming due to the digital loudness war) anytime, anywhere has benefit to me.

Thanks, all! Replies stretch from "go for it and have fun" to "waste of time". I am in the first camp. But why aren't there more of us? I mean, there are lots of Audiogon members who (still) prefer the sound from good LPs to the sound from streaming these same albums from Qobuz or others. But only a fraction bothers with recording their LPs. Why? Recording is more work, true. And you need a good recorder, preferably DSD. But once you've done it, it is just as convenient as streaming. Or almost. You can get a DSD-capable recorder and a pocket-size 5TB external hard drive for far less than a costly interconnect. So, why not try it? Bring along the best of your vinyl collection wherever you are, along with a small DSD-capable DAC. This is fun. But of course, if you prefer streaming to analog playback, this is not for you. 

Raul, whose opinions I often agree with, writes that digital streaming is developing while analog is not. Here I disagree. Analog recording, mastering and playback is also developing. Yes, it is a bit amazing, since it is in a way "stone age" compared to digital. But remember when the CD came, and was touted as "perfect sound forever"? The LP was declared dead. But it isn't. In my case, using Lyra cartridges for many years, there has been a tremendous development, from the early Clavis, to Titan, and then Atlas. Likewise, good phono stages like Aesthetix Io have evolved.

Recently I brought along my little DSD playback system to holiday home we rented for a period. My son Lasse, who has better ears than me, and likes digital streaming, said 'this sounds real good'. It was atmospheric late evening listening, with a glass of wine and whatnot, so an extremely subjective test. But you get the drift of it.