If you’re picky about the best, buy it.
Period.
Hot stampers for you.
The problem with streaming
As I sit here listening to America Includes: "A Horse With No Name", I realized the problem with streaming. Who knows what source material you're getting with streaming? The album I'm listening to is a Warners Brothers green label. Sonics are absolutely incredible! The band sounds like they're in the room!
Navigating the pressings to find the best one can be challenging but that's part of the fun of the hobby. I doubt the same care is taken when generating streaming recordings. You're stuck with what they use, thus missing the incredible texture of the best recordings.
Of course, great care must be taken to set up the turntable and match all components downstream. I find the effort to be well worth it! There's just no substitute for great analog!
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@reubent, That Rickie Lee Jones is one of the albums that make vinyl worthwhile! Unbelievable sonics on the US pressing! Avoid the Brazil pressing. I played RLJ Pirates tonight and it’s also recorded extremely well! I listened to a couple of Doobie Brothers albums tonight that blew me away with their sonics. Some albums are done so well, it’s truly amazing! I listen to new music on YouTube. I also have a local group of audiophile friends who turn all of us on to new music. Facebook groups are another source. |
@vuch - I agree, Rickie Lee Jones - S/T is a fantastic album and I'm glad I still have my original 1979 version that's in excellent condition. Don't know how it made it through college in that condition, but glad it did. Anyway, that kinda enforces my point. I heard "Chuck E.'s in Love" on the radio in 1979 and bought the album. My source for discovery in those days was AOR radio stations and independent radio stations. There are, unfortunately, very few of those around today. Streaming digital, from sources such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Radio Paradise, YouTube, etc., are my sources for discovery today. When I hear something I really like, I go to discogs and look for the best version available on vinyl and I buy it. But I don't buy everything I hear and like. I've found many great songs, but when I've streamed the album, I found I only liked the one song. In that case, I passed on buying the album and just add the song to one of my streaming playlists. Saved a lot of money that I can spend on more worthy records. |
If you can't enjoy streaming sound quality for serious listening sessions something wrong with streaming setup, or have serious case of audiophilia in that you can only enjoy the very best recordings (say hot stampers) played on the best tt with the best cartridge with the best phono stage.
While I consider myself an audiophile, my system, and ability to accept less than best sound quality from various sources and recordings gives me great pleasure! I can turn off the analytical mind and simply enjoy the music. |
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