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Records and CDs

I’ve just spent a couple of weeks exclusively going through my extensive record collection playing hardly any digital media and have come to some conclusions.
Records are fun and enjoyable to work with, but ultimately for a music lover they’re a dead end. Since very few new titles are being released on records these days I find myself going through mainly old familiar performances. Then there’s the age old problem of comparing the SQ of both media which is maddening. I just today went back to streaming (and CDs.). I clearly see, for me this is the way to continue my listening habits. Records can be used as a diversion but not the main event.

rvpiano
signaforce's avatar
signaforce
340 posts
 

@rvpiano 

Thank you, good post. There are many variables. 
@benanders 

You are correct, Apple to Apple comparisons are difficult. Most of my albums are from the 60’s & 70’s. The remastered albums tend to be inferior and quality pressings can be hard to find.
For example, I recently purchased Miles Davis “kind of blue” remastered. The Qobuz version from the original cut is vastly superior in sound quality. Another example, I recently purchased Jon Batiste “We Are”…original pressing but poor, again Qobuz sound was superior. 
However, when I AB original old pressings to Qobuz, or quality new pressings, IMHO the nod goes to vinyl. 
There are many variables. 

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,033 posts
 

I'm the exact opposite...records are the main event, digital is for my convenience. The process and interaction with the media (records) is part and parcel of what makes the whole experience enjoyable. Cd or digital cannot compare to the way old records were once recorded, all Analog. I'm in the "better records" camp. Some recordings suck, some are just out of this world (records). I also love the interaction with the device (turntable). 

signaforce's avatar
signaforce
340 posts
 

@audioguy85 

Great minds think alike. 😎

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,394 posts
 

@rvpiano   Maybe it's just me, or it's my age, but I've always preferred to own physical media.  I don't stream at all.  I like to feel the CD/LP in my hands.  I like to read the liner notes and enjoy the artwork.  Sound aside, LPs are a leg up on the CD format in this area.  Mind you, when they take the time to include a nice booklet in the CD case, that can also be a joy.  It's really tough to beat the sound quality and convenience of the CD format.  SACD?  I've been disappointed with the number of SACD discs I have purchased and can't hear any  improvement over my original CD copy.  Even when paying $$ for the remastered versions from MOFI.  I still buy vinyl but  mostly things like Tone Poet releases from Blue Note.  Another fantastic series of recordings are on the Blue Engine label under the Jazz At Lincoln Hall LPs.  The Wayne Shorter double LP is one of the best recordings I own. It brings back your faith in the LP format.  

mahler123
3,648 posts
 

It’s a complex issue.  There were a lot of analog to digital transfers that were poorly done (I think this more prevalent in pop than Classical).  The playback equipment of the time wasn’t the culprit as much as the transfer engineers.  The playback equipment has improved, but I have read several interviews with recording engineers who all say that as time went on they became more comfortable with digital. 
  The irony is that as transfers and playback equipment both improved, that’s when the lp resurgence happened.

  The music is the thing.  If comparing different technologies is interfering with enjoyment, and one can’t stop making comparisons, then either:

1) Admit to yourself that listening to gear for the sake of listening to gear is an enjoyable end in and of itself; or

2) pack up either the digital or analog system and keep it out of the system for a while and see how you feel about after a few months 

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