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Changing from Vinyl to Digital in Brave New World

This is bound to provoke some reactions, and I purposely posted in the analog forum since the digital forum is probably preaching to the converted.
(Maybe I don't want to make the change but enough self-analysis). I've owned and played vinyl since the mid-60's and have had numerous good to great rigs over the years, currently running something that is state of the art, big Kuzma table/Lamms/Avantgarde horns. I still have an old pair of Quad 57's which need restoration and a pair of Crosby Quads that haven't seen a charge since I bought the Avantgardes. And, anywhere from 6-8 thousand records.
Here's the question. I retired recently, and am planning to move (to Austin) where I will continue to work at what I love (ahem, it's music business, but that doesn't have anything to do with quality reproduction, I'm sorry to say).
Chances are, I will go from a big dedicated room to having virtually no space, and while I could store all this equipment and records, I'm just not sure it makes sense. (No this is not a subliminal ad for my record collection, not yet, anyway).
So, I'm struggling here with what to do, systemwise. Let's assume that I want small, in the sense of not taking up physical space, and I don't have room for all the vinyl, so I have to go 'digital.' And, to make it really challenging, I'm not going to do a complex system- maybe a very good pair of stereo speakers that don't take up much room, a good integrated (I've been using tubes since the early 70's but if I'm willing to go this far, wouldn't rule out something solid state) and a digital source- everything I've read seems to suggest that good digital sources are in a state of flux, and the standards for hi rez digital files are not fully settled. So I guess the main import of the question has to do with sources other than vinyl- i never really liked CDs for the home but could cope with computer audio if I don't have to spend my time reformatting files. Lastly, I could (and still plan) to refurbish the old Quads at some point, just because they are so iconic and could run them with the ML 2 Lamms, some OTLs or something less esoteric (Atmasphere 60's). But would be interested in views, from the analog crowd. (Let's not use this as a dump on digital thing since that won't help me sort out my thoughts).
TIA.

Bill hart
128x128whart
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
If you are this accustomed to a life of vinyl and tubes, if you *must* downsize and digitaize, I recommend you do so at the highest resolution available. I attend a high end open house annually at my local high end store, and to these ears, I find red book standard--even played over the best of the best--just doesn't connect with me the way analog does. *However,* when they play 24/96 and 24/192 sources from a laptop-based server, the music comes much closer to the richness and continuity of analog--I'd say it gets you 80-90% of the way there, and definitely crosses some kind of threshold in refinement compared to CD standard.

There are increasing numbers of 14/96 and 24/192 files available from HDTracks and other high-res download services, and the prices per album are getting more affordable.

Portable hard drives have gotten so inexpensive that even at very high resolution you could store quite a few albums in a small space.

Here's another thought: Maybe you could keep your analog front end, downsize the electronics and speakers (there are lots of excellent integrated amps and monitors and compact subs available now) and store most of your LPs in climate-controlled mini-storage. Then swap in a bundle of LPs as your listening tastes dictate.
whart's avatar
whart OP
3,071 posts
 
Some good thoughts here. I am a creature of extremes, so the issue of 'downsizing' but not 'downgrading' meant a total reconsideration of approach. I could probably find a TT which places fewer demands, like the space and isolation of airpump for tonearm, that the Kuzma XL/Airline demands. The AV Duo is not well suited for nearfield listening, and my usual 'go to' speaker type, a planar, is either too big or too limiting in terms of bass (still, I'm gonna restore those old Quads someday). So, once I think about the leap to a smaller monitor (Magico? I haven't listened to the new crop of great smaller speakers), I then get into amp issues- I know the ML2 can be used on dynamic speakers, but it may run out of steam. I like the idea of culling my top 500 records, that wouldn't be too hard - the pleasure of having thousands is the surprise of pulling something out you never heard, or haven't heard in decades. But it takes up alot of space. Right now I have a dedicated room for listening, and extra space nearby for lot's and lot's of records.
I'm considering a smallish house, or possibly a modest loft space, right in Austin. (If I lived far enough outside of town, I could have a free-standing building just for listening, but I don't want to have to drive much to get to town). And though Texas is reasonable by NYC standards, a big house or lux loft in town is anything but cheap. (We have taken a big hit on real estate in the Northeast, Austin much less so).
I don't really have to do anything right now, because if and when we move the hi-fi won't be going at first, my friend, a dealer, will likely help me break it down and store it.
I do like the idea of no fiddling but am worried that computer audio, leaving aside the sonic compromises, involves its own set of PITA processes, compatibility issues, file format issues, etc. I find analog audio enough of a challenge, and i have never been intuitive when it comes to computers.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Boy, that is a tough problem for someone so into vinyl. If it were me, and it surely isn't, I would cull my collection to 2000. Store the rest or slowly sell off. Keep the 2000 LPs in a closet on shelves and buy a great, compact, set and forget table like the new SME 20/3A. No isolation, no pumps, little space. Also a pair of small monitors after careful auditioning and a Class A SS amp (or integrated) appropriate for the speaker load.

Live with that for a while as you very slowly explore the rapidly changing world of digital files. Go computer if you are comfortable enough, otherwise a high quality CDP, but honestly, I don't see much space savings really.

If you go iPad and docking station with computer speakers fine. Then you'll save real space, otherwise, maintain great sonics and the history of your collection.

Sounds like a fun way to begin retirement. Enjoy it.
hiho
451 posts
 

You'll need to get a smaller Guanyin!

_______
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
CDs are getting as vintage as vinyls. What's the point of switching to digital when you can get HDD or SSD based computer or network player system with top line modern DAC that would get you much closer to analog than conventional CD/SACD player?
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