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CD's vs Vinyl - Finally hear the difference

About 2 years ago, I decided to get back into vinyl. I had some old albums I wanted to play, so I blew the dust off my 35 year old TT and fired that mutha up. It took me about 13 months to get my accousic vibration problem licked and to put together some decent analog euipment-some new, some used. Anyway, I started listening to ONLY vinyl. I was surprised how well my albums had been preserved and how well the new ones I purchased sounded. I had read the vinyl purist's comments about how much better records sounded than CD's, but I must admit-I was doubtful. I had put together a fairly good Digital system with a tubed Kora Hermes II DAC. Anyway, I had a friend over the other day and for the first time in almost a year, I put on a CD. I have to say-there is absolutely no comparison how much better vinyl sounds than CD's. CD's sound as though they were recorded in an anechoic chamber. There is no ambience, no warmth, no soul. The music is accurate, but it isn't alive. You simply have to hear it to understand. All the years I wasted listening to CD's! I guess they have their place if you're on the go in cars, boats etc, but if you are wanting to really listen to good quality recorded music, there is only one choice.
handymann
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
A CDP has the disadvantage of requiring 4-6 hrs or more warm-up to sound its subtle best. A TT drive system reaches most of its potential in a half hour or so. So practically speaking, for a fair comparison between the formats the CDP should be left constantly powered up.
Dgarretson

Now your just makin stuff up.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Really! I'd be interested to hear others' experiences on this.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I thought maybe you had some evidence. But if it is just your experience I'd say your making it up. Not arguing with you as I haven't had any inclination to measure this phenomenon. But your statement sounds pretty definitive.
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
I'm not alone in this-- the experience is shared by several acquaintences with top digital front ends. Give it a try overnight, you may like it.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I agree with Dgarretson. I just had Jim Smith voice my system. He did not want to do any serious listening until his DAC had been plugged in and powered on overnight and was quite warm. He even had it charging in the car ride from the airport.

My CDP does sound better when warmed up for a few hours. So do my Pass amps which I turn on two hours before I listen. My preamp and phono amp are always on.

I have also found that my analog front end sounds better after about 30 minutes or 1-2 sides. This is the cartridge suspension getting loose. Heat and humidity also have an effect. At least in my system, all of these things seem to make a difference.
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