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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.

128x128rvpiano
unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
1,000 posts
 

Too each his own.

That said ….

- to my ears, analog sounds better than digital. For example: I was able to tell that the sound quality of MOFI had declined, but I did not know why until the controversy leaped out into the press.
- I like the process of taking the record out of the sleave, clamping it to the table, starting the table, lifting the arm, placing the arm down, and settling into the armchair with a Pino or a joint. It’s ritualistic rhythms are part of my zen of listening.
- there are dozens of titles being released and re-released on vinyl. I really do not know what you are talking about there.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,693 posts
 

In the classical field that I mostly listen to the vast majority of titles released or not on vinyl but on CD. Those that are on LP are twice the price, and despite claims, don’t sound as good as the originals.

Like you, I like the rituals of analog, although I’m not sure it has better sound than digital on my set.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,693 posts
 

I played a recent SACD of Brahms 4th Symphony on Reference Recordings (Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony)a highly touted audiophile label, then played a recording of the same symphony on an LP recorded in the mid fifties (Van Beinum Concertgebouw Orchestra) The orchestral sound from the record was infinitely more realistic.

just saying…

newbee
4,775 posts
 

RV, FWIW, I bought several RR CD’s of the Pittsburgh Symphony/Honeck performances. based on reviews. I listened to them once. Sound v performance? Who cares. Frankly I’ve not been overly happy with recent RR’s. Last liked them when it was with Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra. But I kept on trying. Now I’ve given up. :-(

dhite71
336 posts
 

This is all 100% personal preference and I still much prefer my records over streaming. I should probably go separate DAC/streamer to compete with my analog but the Aurender A20 is so easy to own and use. My analog is a Rega P10/Koetsu Rosewood Signature/ARC Ref 3 Phono. On newly produced music, I often find there isn’t much of a difference, but on older recordings the vinyl just sounds better. I still enjoy getting up every 8-20 minutes....I mean that’s a good thing, right??

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