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Vinyl...should I stay, or should I go?

I've sort of hit a crossroads and have decided to part with my turntable, all accessories which go with the turntable, and my record collection. However, before parting ways with my analog gear I wanted to gather some feedback and make sure I've given vinyl a fair shake.

My setup is a VPI HW-19: a Zorin tonearm and a Dynavector 17dx cartridge, with a Manly Chinook phono-stage, It plays through Primaluna dialogue Pre amp and amps. The speakers are Goldenear Reference. 

Confession, despite this setup, I've mostly streamed Roon music through an ultraRendu into a ModWright oppo 205. It's just recently I decided to give listening to vinyl a try. I'm pretty much a novice to the finer points and nuances of getting the best out of vinyl.

Experience: I'm finding the streaming music seems to be more centered with a deeper and more textured soundstage. When I stream, no matter what era the music is from, the singer/music is front, center, deep and wide. On the other hand, the last couple of records I've tried. A very old and somewhat used Alan Parsons Project lp and Jim Croce, Don't Mess around with Jim 180 gram lp, have not presented the same quality soundstage. In fact, in both cases while much of the music is centered, the singer's voice is coming mostly from the left side (speaker). Also, I'm finding the bass to be lacking. Last night in a side by side comparison, I was taken aback by how much better sounding was the streaming music.

Question: Is this typical of vinyl or is there something in my setup (again I'm a novice) I'm overlooking? With all this said, any advice on what to check or look for would be much appreciated. I'm not trying to start a debate about the merits of vinyl vs. streaming. I'm really just trying to find out if what I'm experiencing is typical of the vinyl experience or if there's something I should be correcting before pulling the plug and selling off the analog gear. Thanks
liv2teach
alvinnir2's avatar
alvinnir2
118 posts
 
I went though the same process as you. One thing to consider is that every cartridge has it's own sonic profile. Your particular Dynavector is generally very detailed but lean and lacking bass. I once owned one and never could get it to satisfy me and moved on to a cartridge more to my liking. That being said, I recently did sell my vinyl set up and the remaining 200 or so albums I had. Vinyl ,when everything lines up perfectly, and you have a great recording and pressing is pretty hard to beat. That happens less often than I would like to admit. Most modern pressings (180gm) have gone through a digital remastering anyways and loose the analog magic. Personally, I prefer having the huge variety that streaming offers. I can tune into the music I like that is also well recorded and sit back and enjoy without the hassle that vinyl brings to the table.
I have friends who have 1000s of records, listen to only the few hundred favourites that truly do sound great, while the rest collect dust...yet they can't give them up. 
geof3
1,129 posts
 
@alvinnir2, that is definitely the case. I don’t have have a huge collection, and for the most part, mine have been carefully selected. However, there are still a few duds pressing wise. After a bit, I think all vinyl fans tend toward the good recordings/pressings vs the random album selection. Digital is similar though. Not all recordings are mastered well... but the selection and new music side of digital simply cannot be beat.
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
@liv2teach I am in the Seattle area. If you need help beyond what has been offered already get in touch. My web presence is the same as my username here. Analog is for me both a hobby and a vocation :)
If you don't mind the learning challenge I would not sell out of analog until you can say you mastered basic setup skills and then decide...

mrklas
441 posts
 
Turntable set up is important 

And its all about enjoyment so if you don’t feel the speed to get music playing is worth the level of effort for analog vs digital then it may be time to give up vinyl. 
I listen to vinyl 10% of the time. And enjoy it when I do so I think it’s worth it but the selection of music is minuscule compared to Tidal, Quboz and Spotify
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,600 posts
 
One thing to realize though is that streaming doesn’t pay artists.

It pays more than buying used LPs does.
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