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.

128x128rvpiano

@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.  

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 

It's all good if you didn't spend it on audio you would be spending it on your psychiatrists spending it there.enjoy the music .I have spent money  on cars that I wish I hadent but I had fun went fast was in many competing races and still do my corvette has been the best bang for the buck lt always works.im sure there is stuff in the audio world that is the same.stay healthy enjoy it all.

rvpiano

 

Nice thread. Server/Streamer(s) are a fool's errand, indeed. Nothing beats (no pun) physical media. CD and SACD forever-here.

 

Happy Listening!