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A Newbie's First Week Impressions -- Vinyl Rules

Well after owning my first turntable for a week and having let the cartrige run in a good bit (Music Hall MMF-5.1 with Goldring 1012 cart), I've come to the conclusion that I've heard nothing digital that even comes close to the realism here. In a way it feels as though somehow I have rediscovered music. Up until now, I had never heard a half-decent analog system, so I didn't know what to expect. I certainly didn't expect this much of a difference. So often on these forums I see comments posted by "vinyl zealots" and I can see how it is very easy to become one. And this is all with a very modestly priced turntable setup. I now feel as though my system has room to grow. Before I was always trying to dampen and smooth out the harsh sound of digital. I used to think that the harshness was caused by other things (solid state instead of tubes, bright speakers, etc.). After purchasing this turntable I discovered what the problem had been this whole time. I will probably never be able to afford a cd player that I think is capable of coming close to analog playback (I would imagine it would take a good $10k to reach that level). So to achieve audio playback that is acceptable to my ears, digital is just out of my reach.

So I guess this rant is really just my way of saying hello and welcoming myself to the vinyl crowd. I know I'm gonna be part of it for a long time.

P.S. Do you guys have any recommendations for record cleaning and ways to reduce static? I've already got a humidifer running...
jwglista
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
i've always records(lifetime of collecting) 'cause they're big, and you interact with them. as far as sound, its a dice roll regardless of the software. that said, the dna in all cd players and turntables is more alike than the fringe hi priced manufacturers will ever admit to.
jwong
56 posts
 
The Dark Disc will soon call you to tubes-tubes-tubes for a preamp, than an amp (ideally monoblocks!), than a phono preamp, leading to a more expensive turntable and/or cartridge, isolation devices, rack, static gun, different record clearning solutions, and rice paper lp sleeves. Shortly, you'll discover the magic of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab discs, Nautilus, Direct Discs, and Half Speed Masters. At each and every new step a perceived new level of musical nirvana will be revealed enticing you to more and greater pursuit of audio esctasy. Welcome to the club of doomed souls - it ain't pretty but we have a helluva good time.
maineiac
649 posts
 
Jwong - that is both an incredibly accurate and scary post.
kjl
31 posts
 
Vinyl vs. Digital

Vinyl set-up is VPI Scoutmaster, Clear-Audio Discovery Cartridge and a VPI 16.5 cleaner, Thor Audio phone stage.

Vs. Blue Note Stibbert Improved CD player with tubes-
The Cd sound with the Thor Line stage to me is far superior. I also have the 180-200 gram, Speaker corner,
reference recording, some mobile fidelity, and yes there are some recordings on LP that are superior, but on my system with a good quality cd ( the source is critical) I'm the guy in the music forum that finds the sound more important than the performance contrary to other opinions)
In any case after spending a substantial amount of money on my LP set up I am tired of chasing my tail for an other incremental improvement, which to go to the Super Scoutmaster, speed controller, better cartridge, etc. is another $5000.00.(Not to mention the new heavy platter that I could take to the gym for my workouts) Therefore, I am happy with the sound that my CD player produces and it I don't feel a need to upgrade.
calbrs03
184 posts
 
I don't buy into the upgrade path to sonic Happyland. I have a Scout and a Wright WW200C and I don't plan on going any further. For what I paid, $50 for a 180gm recording is a bad addition to this table, so I buy crap vinyl. A 16.5, however, and a little steam can turn most of those sorry discs into hidden gems. That's no joke. The cleaner paid for itself in no time.

I buy crap CDs, too. So comparing apples to apples, there are times, more often with LPs than with CDs, that the sound just hits all the good buttons. On that finding alone, I give analog the nod--the Scout delivers. And that's good enough.

When I was looking for a table, I believe it was Jaybo who warned me not to look forward to any analog revelation, any sonic orgasmatron to going vinyl. For the most part, he was correct. The differences are subtle, though some are profound, which have mostly to do with the recordings. There is good, bad and ugly in vinyl, just like in digital. I'm a little lighter in the wallet to learn that lesson, but a lot wiser. Still, where I shop, vinyl is cheap and it's fun, and I find it an enjoyable way to wither away an afternoon.

You don't need a honking big table to have fun. A little steam and a 16.5 can make a bad record sound damned nice, and you never have to think once about throwing your cds or your player out the window, or gawd forbid, upgrading. My $.02. YMMV. LOL.
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