I think for the "new to turntable looker" he brings some solid issues to the forefront.
I never recommend getting into vinyl if you have zero records and don’t have a current table. why its really not that much better, if at all, when comparing similar quality DAC/streamer (or computer) to a vinyl play back systems. lets not getting into the cost of the vinyl medium and the shody quality that’s coming out of the pressing plants these days. Also the cost of old records has sky rocketed in recent years. space to store records is an issue as well, mico loft anyone?
Very few people are comparing a $5000 table ( which is relatively cheep for a table/arm/cart/phono stage) with a $5000 DAC, usually the DAC in that system is less than the table system, by a significant margin. Most of my audio friends sort of compare the DAC purchases with a single part of the table playback system. example a new $2000 arm to a $2000 DAC. They rarely compare the price difference of a complete turntable playback system to the DAC/Streamer or computer system.
If you have built up a significant vinyl playback system it better be better than a digital system of much less value.
I know many people who’s vinyl playback systems as a whole cost upwards of $10k but there DAC is less than $2000.
The single box expensive item is harder to justify over a multiple component system built up over time. That’s one of the reasons it’s hard to move to exceptional digital. A $10,000 DAC sounds better than most (not all of course) vinyl playback systems of similar price. Not many people are spending that on a DAC though. Other than the converts or wealthier who can afford both.
People also forget there’s more difference in recording quality than anything else, mastering has a larger effect on sound than the medium IMO.
I think Steve brings some valid arguments.
I never recommend getting into vinyl if you have zero records and don’t have a current table. why its really not that much better, if at all, when comparing similar quality DAC/streamer (or computer) to a vinyl play back systems. lets not getting into the cost of the vinyl medium and the shody quality that’s coming out of the pressing plants these days. Also the cost of old records has sky rocketed in recent years. space to store records is an issue as well, mico loft anyone?
Very few people are comparing a $5000 table ( which is relatively cheep for a table/arm/cart/phono stage) with a $5000 DAC, usually the DAC in that system is less than the table system, by a significant margin. Most of my audio friends sort of compare the DAC purchases with a single part of the table playback system. example a new $2000 arm to a $2000 DAC. They rarely compare the price difference of a complete turntable playback system to the DAC/Streamer or computer system.
If you have built up a significant vinyl playback system it better be better than a digital system of much less value.
I know many people who’s vinyl playback systems as a whole cost upwards of $10k but there DAC is less than $2000.
The single box expensive item is harder to justify over a multiple component system built up over time. That’s one of the reasons it’s hard to move to exceptional digital. A $10,000 DAC sounds better than most (not all of course) vinyl playback systems of similar price. Not many people are spending that on a DAC though. Other than the converts or wealthier who can afford both.
People also forget there’s more difference in recording quality than anything else, mastering has a larger effect on sound than the medium IMO.
I think Steve brings some valid arguments.