2. music
  3. 166595-130064

Classical music listening... what is a better source High Rez or Vinyl?

For many of us who really enjoy classical music, for me it is Baroque and opera, what is the better and more consistent for source high fidelity listening?

I am a mid hifi guy and have a Pro-ject Classic SB turntable with a high output MC Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 cartridge.. I am using a Jolida JD 9II Tube phone stage, with a vintage Telefunkin tube upgrade.

I have a Rogue Sphinx 3 integrated amplifier, with a vintage Mozada tube upgrade. My digital source DAC/SACD/CD is a Yamaha CD-2100 player.

I have refurbished Ohm H's loud speakers.

I have been picking up many vintage classical albums recently, mainly 1980’s releases in excellent condition too, at my local transfer station, and it has been mixed bag in comparison to my high resolution music files and SACD collection.

I was expecting much more when it came to vinyl and classical but I have not been as won over, as I have been with rock and jazz on vinyl.

My experience with SACD and high resolution, 96/24 or higher, has been very rewarding with a wide variety of classical music. Opera really shines in digital IMHO. Strong and full on classical piece are quite stunning on many a SACD releases I own. Rachel Podger’s Vivaldi: L’estro armonico - 12 concerti, Op. 3 on SACD is an excellent example of the audio quality I demand, as this recording is exceptional! Plus there are are very few new remastered vinyl releases for classical, particularly for opera, these days. A perfect example of this is Shubert’s Winterreise featuring Joyce DiDanato and pianist Yannick Nezet-Sequin, which I saw performed at Carnegie Hall for this recording and which sounds phenomenal in 96/24, and was release recently.

That would seem counter intuitive but that is clearly what the market is showing.

On one of these threads I recall someone posting how strings of violins, and the intensity that they are played at, can lead to degraded sound quality depending on the type of cartridge used.

I want to hear back from the classical music posse here to help me get to that higher level of listening with classical vinyl.

Is it the cartridge?

Or should I just stay with my digital sources?


idigmusic64
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,604 posts
 
Give it a rest. 
Get off my lawn.
Meh.

It IS an idiotic question.  What sounds best to one has little bearing on what sounds best to others.  The goal is musical enjoyment, not grade school uniforms.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
I listen to a lot of classical. My classical LP albums are primarily/mostly ‘vintage’ (pre 80’s), albeit I have some newer LP’s as well, but very few. I also have many classical CD’s, many of those of ‘vintage’ performances as well. Some of my CD’s sound pretty good too. In that regards, no matter what format, it really comes down to the quality of the recording and engineering, and I find that incredibly important with classical (especially) regardless of the source.

But

I almost always play vinyl. To me it just sounds more organic, natural, proper timber, etc. there is a natural ‘flow’ of the music vinyl provides that is hard to beat, and when we are talking about classical, with acoustic instruments, that just sounds better and correct. To me.

Now, to compare digital to vinyl is very dependent on your rig, both vinyl and digital. There is little doubt that if you invest in a better vinyl system, the nuances that only vinyl can offer will be better realized, no matter the genre. Does that mean you have to spend a fortune? No, not in my opinion. But there are some improvements you receive by spending more. There is no way around it.

I just purchased Hilary Hahn’s new ‘Paris’ LP. I didn’t even consider the CD version. That LP is stunning in its recording, engineering, and the performance too. There is no doubt newer recordings can sound quite good, again, regardless of the source. But that new album on vinyl is amazing, to me.

There is no ‘right or wrong’ answer here. Just what you prefer and get the most enjoyment from. I know what I prefer, and quite honestly wish all my classical selections were on vinyl.
melm
1,078 posts
 
Is the "Paris" LP an all analog recording?
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
when the vinyl playback tools and the vinyl pressings are top notch the vinyl classical music reproduction experience is unsurpassed. of my approximately 3000 Classical Lps, this magic happens maybe 60% of the time. my best sounding 45rpm classical vinyl is a force of nature and pinch me level of musical involvement. digital does not come close to this.

that said; my overall listening is about 60% digital classical since it is very very good to great and so accessible. i love exploring new classical titles with Tidal and Quboz, or listening to my high rez classical files. i have many dxd and quad dsd classical files. i could be completely happy just with the high rez classical.

if i were starting over i would not do the vinyl classical as acquiring the best pressings is not only expensive but takes considerable effort and patience. and for great classical vinyl the investment for the tt, arm, cart is not trivial. Jazz or rock can be very fine on more modest levels of investment. classical music will really expose any warts.

finally it does come down to what level of expectations you have for the performance. which only you can determine. my expectations are very high, and i have devoted considerable resources to high level classical vinyl playback. i have 4 turntables, one of which is my ’go-to’ for classical music.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I was reminded again last night, even though I didn't play any classical, I played some jazz that had no electronic instruments, just how good vinyl can sound.

It just really perks my attention and enjoyment when vinyl sounds this good. I do also love my digital front end, and yes, some multi-channel classical music, but when the vinyl is good, it just sounds so "right"..

You've got to love this stuff........

Regards,
Dan  
More to discover