Vinyl vs. CD

Mar00; I just finished doing essentially the same thing you did-- and we're probably going to get "roasted" on this. I bought an MMF-5 TT and Musical Fidelity Phono pre-amp (M. Fremer of STPH, and Listener Mag. both highly recommended this TT). I used it for a couple of weeks and then happily went back to CDs (I have a Levinson M 37 transport and 360S DAC). I also started out with no preconceived expectations about the sound quality of vinyl, and in fact it cost me $400.-500. to try out this system. I also grew up using 45's and LPs and had fond memories of them. I compared new virgin vinyl LPs to the same CDs and definitely preferred the dramatically quieter background of digital. In fact, I was not able to listen past the "white noise, static, and crackling" of the LPs-- is all that background noise part of "hifi"?-- it gave me a headache. For LP cleaning I borrowed a VPI vacuum record cleaner from a vinyl junkie friend and carefully followed his directions for cleaning used/old LPs. Some new LPs, while quite good, were no better than good CDs. And of course CDs have some significant features such as direct track access, programming, and repeat that cannot be easily dismissed-- and they don't affect sound quality. Having stuck my neck way the hell out on this, I will admit that I would expect Albert Porter's system to be sonically much better than my CD based system, but Albert is at state of the art analog. Cheers. Craig.

My neck is out there also.... Takes alot of bucks to play a record better than a fine CD system. BUT if you spend the <10K (New), I think the vinyl does sound better. Making all things equal, I'll suffer a little digital "hash" for the ease of use. Plus, once I have been thru all of my CD tweeks, its not much of a sonic trade-off at all.

You have to spend a little more than 500.00 to get into a good Analog sound.I suggest about 1k+ on a good used Turntable with something like a Benz Micro Glider.I have an Anthem CD 1 1700.00 when New CD player.I have a used Well Tempered Classic With Glider Cartridge.I play the CD and the LP at the same time and switch from one to another.On any LP that i have which is in ggod shpe the Lp sound better.If you hear noise and cracle and pops the LP is no good.Even a good leaner wont fix a defective LP.Compare your 500.00 LP rig to a 500.00 cd player.Thats a fair comparison.Remember life is analog everthing around you is analog.Life does not unfold in on off on off 01010101 sequences.

ya, i bought my turntable & fono-stage used. but, i have only ~$2k invested in it, & i'd put it up against *any* cd set-up at *any* price. so, yes, mar00, $500 mebbe ain't enuff $$$ to better your nice cd set-up, but ya don't have to drop a huge wad-o-cash to better it. doug

Doug; seems we've been here before. And I post the following respectfully. I really like my digital system too and would be willing to "put it up against any comparably priced analog system", but in reality, how do we make this bold comparison. Have you ever actually put together an excellent digital system in your own home? Or just listened at audio stores? My best audio friend is into vinyl, and I've listened to his system many times: Well Tempered TT and CJ pre-amp w/phono, Levinson amp into MG 3.6 speakers. His system sounds totally different than mine, and I don't particularly care for it-- no weight, no body, no substance, very airy, soft mushy bass etc. But I think I'm mainly hearing his speakers character and room acoustics, and not so much his LPs-- of course, he loves it. I've also played MY LPs on his system with the same results. My system OTOH is more dynamic, more rich, more lush, with strong, deep, taut, quick bass; just overall more weight, and IMO more musical. Our music tastes are also quite different. I have treated room acoustics, vibration(s), dedicated AC and ground, HQ wire througout including AC cords. I have carefully, over several years, put this system together TO SOUND GREAT WITH CDs. If I had vinyl as a source, chances are I would have chosen different audio components and wires to complement the sound of LPs. Just because you say your $2K analog system is better than any digital system at any price, does not mean that I or anyone else has to believe it, and in fact, I don't. But I do respectfully agree to disagree. And BTW, I'm glad you've spent time in Oregon-- we agree that it's beautifl. Cheers. Craig.