A blend and a single malt--alternate all the time--mood is key-=-
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!
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!
- ...
- 94 posts total
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. |
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. |
I spin vinyl about 5% of the time which is about as much time as I get to myself. That is to say alone time when I get to listen to music and relax. That said, a friend sent me a link to this cartoon many will find humorous. http://www.newyorker.com/cartoon/a19180 |
- 94 posts total