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Is it all worth it?

Do you ever get the feeling when you start to question whether playing records is really worth it all?
You know with everything involved with great record playback.
The setup, the cleaning regime, the $1000 plus cartridges that start their finite lifespan as soon as stylus first touches vinyl and spirals into less and less value with every play.
All the tweaks involved, cables, mats, isolation etc.
Then the media itself with it's inevitable disapointments.

Don't you just like to push a couple buttons on your phone app and be listening to great sound with a worldwide catalogue at your fingertips.

Or is it that when all of it lines up and the sounds are just sublime, then yes you sit back with a wry smile and say...

Yep, it's all worth it!
128x128uberwaltz
elliottbnewcombjr
5,473 posts
 
Before upgrading my Phono system, I made a decision to properly clean my old lps, what a difference it makes.

just scrubbed 20 more lps yesterday. Without exception, every one I clean sounds great. Sometimes, rarely, I get a bit of static between tracks, otherwise music only.

I'm making quite a stack of LP's to sell, many are not my taste (given to me by friends dumping their lps), and many just poor engineering, odd imaging, ......., and I need room to fit my excess capacity leaning on the bottom shelves

Keeping about half, and the re-discovery is very enjoyable.

Personal involvement is definitely an attraction, sense of achievement, or, a big PITA
wjt3
204 posts
 
A blend and a single malt--alternate all the time--mood is key-=-
mikethehunterguy
50 posts
 
To me, playing records is absolutely worth it. I just get more "zen" spinning vinyl. I know it can be a PITA, but MY GOD, when it's good, it's GREAT! I still play digital, and really enjoy it.  But I'm typing this while listening to Malia on Qobuz. I can't do multi-tasking when listening to vinyl. It consumes all my bandwidth. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Still undecided if it is all worth it but can not deny when lp playback is good, well it is VERY good here at chateau Waltz!

However so is CD And Qobuz hires so.......
sns
3,265 posts
 
My analog and digital setups are both pleasurable listening experiences. It all comes down to modes of emotional fulfillment as to which I listen to.
Digital streaming with Qobuz, Tidal and rips of over 10k cd's allows stream of consciousness listening sessions. Vinyl really requires listening to entire side of album, really great for the concept albums and classical. Vinyl listening is a  nostalgic experience, bringing forth great memories from the good old days.

The relatively low cost of acquiring new digital music plays a large role in this as well. The more music I acquire makes the cost of Tidal and Qobuz marginally less as well, acquiring  new albums is a relatively costly endeavor. My Roon album playlist is nearing 60k, I now can have every album of my favorite artists, and the discovery of new artists and genres makes this the golden age of music for me. This huge supply of music allows my stream of consciousness listening sessions to vary in incredible ways!

And so actions speak louder than words, 90% digital, 10% vinyl  playback. Stream of consciousness is preferable to nostalgia for me.
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