Vinyl Reason

I think one of the tragedies of (other than Classical) CD playing, is the ease, and so the inclination, to skip around the album; not giving the artist a chance to have you hear the way he/she intended for you to hear the entire compilation. I knew we were in trouble when the first CDP's began showing up with the "preview" function.

Honestly, who gets a new LP and puts on side Two first!?

(Don't tell me, I don't want to know!)

Much as I try to avoid vinyl, it's the sound.

As someone in his 60's, I grew up collecting LP's, and have a lot of good memories associated with the old vinyl donuts. The ritual of playing LP's still appeals to me: cleaning the LP's, cleaning the stylus, lowering the tonearm in anticipation of the music and hustling to my easy chair before the music starts, the occasional tics and pops, etc. I also enjoy reading the jacket covers while listening to the album -- hell, I even enjoy the smell of old LP jackets! Pulling down an old LP that I've heard many times is like seeing an old friend after a long absence -- and I never get that feeling from the same recording on CD.

Ultimately, however, it's about the sound quality. A really good LP recording still sounds better than all but the very finest CD/SACD. Perhaps it's the additional work of preparing an LP for play -- it's said that we have more appreciation for something that requires personal effort. Admittedly, when I'm feeling lazy, I enjoy the convenience of CD's, but I also find that I tend not to concentrate so carefully to the music -- my mind wanders more...

But, like TWL and the "Smokester" say much more succinctly, "it's the sound" of LP's that keep drawing me back. I am planning to upgrade my VPI HW-19 Mk4 sometime in the next year (probably a Scoutmaster, or maybe a Super Scoutmaster if I'm feeling flush), and then grow old with my turntable...

Nsgarch, you bring up a very good point. In fact, I think most new "artists" these days dont make "albums" anymore, just a CD with a collection of songs on it. A properly produced album is much like a great live performance: each song is positioned to tell a story, or at least to keep you fully involved in the performance.

It's a great way to explore Classical music for those of us (me) that know little to nothing about it on the cheap. I can buy used near mint albums very near my home in great supply for only a couple bucks...how can you beat that!

I also buy older rock (harder to find in good shape) because most sound better on vinyl IMO...my last finds were Supertramp, Alan Parsons and Ted Nugent.

It's a great feeling walking out with 10 or so albums for $20...makes you feel like you struck a little gold.

I do enjoy cd just as much as vinyl and don't really have to much of an opinion on which sounds better...both sound good...and bad.

Dave