2. analog
  3. 1340176293

Is a vinyl rig only worth it for oldies?

I have always been curious about vinyl and its touted superiority over digital, so I decided to try it for myself. Over the course of the past several years I bought a few turntables, phono stages, and a bunch of new albums. They sounded fine I thought, but didn't stomp all over digital like some would tend to believe.

It wasn't until I popped on some old disk that I picked up used from a garage sale somewhere that I heard what vinyl was really about: it was the smoothest, most organic, and 3d sound that ever came out of my speakers. I had never heard anything quite like it. All of the digital I had, no matter how high the resolution, did not really come close to approaching that type of sound.

Out of the handful of albums I have from the 70s-80s, most of them have this type of sound. Problem is, most of my music and preferences are new releases (not necessarily in an audiophile genre) or stuff from the past decade and these albums sounded like music from a CD player but with the added noise, pops, clicks, higher price, and inconveniences inherent with vinyl. Of all the new albums I bought recently, only two sounded like they were mastered in the analog domain.

It seems that almost anything released after the 2000's (except audiophile reissues) sounded like music from a CD player of some sort, only worse due to the added noise making the CD version superior. I have experienced this on a variety of turntables, and this was even true in a friend's setup with a high end TT/cart.

So my question is, is vinyl only good for older pre-80s music when mastering was still analog and not all digital?
solman989
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Tdaudio: I posted here this:

+++++ " take a direct to dic LP recording like the Shefield Labs: Dave Grusin-- Discovery Again.
When this LP was sold out Shefield prssed a " new " LP that came from the analog tape recorded during the direct to disc session.

You don't have to believe in nothing I posted:

hear both LPs and you will know immediatly which one came from the analog tape which one came from the direct disc recording. The differences are not subtle but substantials.

In other direct to disc recordings by M&K happéned the same and you be aware of similar experiences. " +++++

I own several D2D recordings, IMHO the best ones came from Sheffiel Labs and M&K labels and you could find out somewhere through ebay and even on Agon LP ads, worth to experienced.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
tdaudio
201 posts
 
Rual, I admire your efforts. Having ben involved in venture capital (on a small scale) I think highly of anyone that has the balls to start a company or produce a product.

I have known about Sheffield since the 80s but I will put B&K D2D on my list as well.

Good luck with your tonearm.

TD
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Tdaudio: From M&K try to find out: Flamenco Fever, Earl " Fhata " Hines, For Duke and if you can Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of Organ works. All these recordings are outstanding.

Thank's to encourage me.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
jerrypan
19 posts
 
Try Stockfisch records from Germany . . . great recording.
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