2. analog
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Vinyl lovers I must be crazy

I have been in the hobby for about 40 years and it seems that I enjoyed my simple system back in the 70's more than my high end system of today. My old system consisted of a receiver (sherwood, marantz) a basic turntable (later upgraded ro a B&O) and various speakers. My current system the cables cost 5 times the entire 70's system and the rest of the gear is top notch. I am not saying the 1970's system was better but I think I enjoyed it much better than today's system. The 70's system was a all vinyl system and my current system I strictly listen to Cd's. Is that the problem listening to CD's? For you vinyl lovers what do you think? For those that made the switch back to playing records are you listening more now? Enjoying your system more? What type of vinyl dollar outlay did it cost to reach vinyl nirvana?

Any feedback would be appreicated. Thanks!
bobheinatz
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I don't get many, if any, pops and clicks on my vinyl. The table does have to be set up correctly, and the records clean, but, then you don't get the digital glare that you do from CD's that have only a fraction of the information that the vinyl does.

No "sample rate" on vinyl. If it was an analog recording, you get it all, and if it was a digital recording, you get more of it than the 44.1 sample rate of CD. HiRez files can get pretty darn close through a good DAC, or a very good SACD. Otherwise, no contest.
casperd's avatar
casperd
37 posts
 
My hearing is not as good now. That might be part of the problem. Also nostalgia is always deceptive. Digital is an approximation. Ones and zeros are always ones and zeros. A digital signal is never going to be a musical wave. Analog is the closest thing to the event. Digital is so dry and clinical due to this "faked" approximation. That contributes to listener fatigue. Digital is just boring. Even an investment of 700 dollars in a good used table and new cartridge will most likely surprise you.
casperd's avatar
casperd
37 posts
 
I forgot to mention, my table is in the shop (Thorens 125mk2) and the other table is not finished (Sota star vacuum table) I have been listening to digital and I'm about to loose my mind!! I miss my table!! I can sit all day and listen to record after record and not normally get fatigued. Take the time to read good books on records, create a short list of twenty or so records and seek them out at a good record show. Don't over pay. I one time had a list of ten going into a show: I got ALL of them at that one show! Happy hunting!
astralography
51 posts
 
Progress is nice but sometimes I crave for simplier times like the 70's.

Well, I just bought a 71 El Camino street rod today with a big block 454, flowmasters, Holley 650, Dual exhaust chrome headers, you get the idea.

Why did I do this?

Craving simpler times. I have had it with sensors, check engine lights, and 400 things in a car that can go wrong that don't even exist in a classic muscle car.

I don't want anything in between the gas tank, and the carb.. other than a fuel filter and a fuel pump. No oxygen sensors or any other garbage. No computers running the injectors or timing the ignition.

Sounds like a good stereo system right?

I want a simple manual choke.. so I can control the mix. Simple.

Now.. what kind of tape deck to I put in this beast?
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
For those that made the switch back to playing records are you listening more now? Enjoying your system more? What type of vinyl dollar outlay did it cost to reach vinyl nirvana?


I listen way more, almost daily for a minimum of two record albums (4 sides) and even more many times. I go back to digital and I'm like... honey, where's the aspirin ? No comparo, imo. Analog way more fun and enjoyable to listen to than digital. $$$ outlay has been expensive...probably close to $20K for me (table, arm, cart, phono stage) excluding vinyl purchases when I jumped back into analog since leaving it back in 1983. I have probably spent over $15K on Ebay since Feb 2011 for NM or sealed condition for my OOP LP favorites from the day.
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