2. analog
  3. 176979-9627

The past meets the future

I have become a huge advocate of streaming over the last few years as streaming has at long last reached audiophile sound quality. So, for someone that is new to audio or does not have a lot of money invested… it is hard to recommend this route.

However, as an old fart. One that suffered through low end turntables, unbelievable surface noise, scratched records, and debatable fidelity for much of his life. Owning a tremendous analog end is such a pleasure. I recently upgraded my contemporary Linn LP12 to nearly the maximum. I have a Audio Research Reference 3 phono stage so the sound quality is simply stunning.

Taking a Covid break and going to my local record store… buying a half dozen great old blues albums… cleaning up to pristine condition. It is such a pleasure to hear such fidelity and musicality from a ritual I have performed since a teenager… record store, spinning. That has been mainstream for me for over fifty years. I guess it is like the old Shortwave radio guys when I was growing up. They had the 25’ antenna sticking up above their suburban houses in the 1960’s.

Just a nod to the era and tradition that will soon pass into history. It has been a blast.

ghdprentice
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,665 posts
 

I was an early adopter of the '4 banger' calculator.....

Somewhere:

The Slide Rule Museum

Coming to the tech store near you... *L* ;)

ohlala
1,236 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

Thank you for your thoughtful response. There are certainly others in your similar position who report the same overall conclusion. 

saulh
56 posts
 

Surprised no one mentions privacy concerns re: streaming. No one else concerned?

rwbucs
17 posts
 

Im 75 and dont regret to change to digital at all.

I do miss holding an album in my hands and perusing the picture on the cover and reading the notes on the back. 

Since most of my LPs were classical was also treated to may old master pictures by way of bonus.

The surface noise I will never miss.

Digital having moved into more than just passable sq works for me.

To best my modest digital rig wd require more money than Id care to pay now although I can afford it.

Id rather pay the money for the music.

So in my case no going back even if in fact a top quality TT and cart and phono stage cd best my set up.

For me the downsides esp the surface noise too much but even if that cd be overcome by superior setup and cleaning there wdnt be sufficient records to suit my needs.

Were I heavily invested in pop or maybe jazz things might be different but classical is a non starter.for me on lp now,

I used to have a bout 1000 lps now im down to about a hundred-the rest have been replace by cds and downloads.

But vinyl isnt dead it will survive and likely even thrive-lets not forget that there are people today who still collect and play 78s .

 

 

fedie
61 posts
 

😎Make sure you sit down before the cartridge hits the groove.

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