Vinyl vs. CD

Re: snap crackle pop - it seems to me that when attending any live performance that there has always been some non-musical noise going on. Rock shows are obviously noisy, jazz shows have inevitable chatter and clinking of glassware, and every classical (ballet, opera, concert) performance has had it's share of coughing. How can you guys block this out and not an occasional quiet 'click'? Serious question. I've heard vinyl in brutal shape, so I can understand not wanting to hear that (although it kind of 'enhances' some folk, countrym and blues), but really most new vinyl is in decent condition and compared to a live performance free of noise.

Who ya calling fatty ma leetle parrot? Hahaha...

noise on vinyl must be a generational thing. sure, an album in really poor condition is annoying, but most vinyl noise is not at all irksome to me. (most of my vinyl is in decent shape, too). must be cuz i've been doing that vinyl-thing for over 30 years, and i got a cd player only 5 years ago - and *only* because some new releases i couldn't get in the vinyl format. i *always* check to see if new releases are awailable on vinyl prior to purchase - often, they are - gotta know where to look. doug

An experience last night might shed some light into Robba's question on how some sounds are easily blocked out sound, but others are not. We went to a hockey game last night. Very noisy venue, people yelling, clapping and generally being joyfully unruly. All the noises one might expect considering the venue and none of it was bothersome in the least. Except the guy behind us that, as usual, was loudly talking about business, the stock market, remodeling houses and on and on. Very non-hockey stuff in general. Based on comments from others around us his banter was irritating them, too. The relevant point is there are noises that are part of the venue's ambiance. They're expected. Those that don't belong detract from the experience. While inaudible to some, clicks and pops on records are like the guy behind us to other people. They spoil the moment with their distraction.

Hmm... so to combine Fpeel and Sedond's responses, perhaps some people have been 'trained' to associate vinyl noise with the playback experience, and are thus better at blocking it out, while other people have had more digital than analog experience and have troubles. Of course that doesn't explain why I can do the vinyl thing. (I bought my first CD player in '88 when I was 12 and have only recently begun to critically listen to vinyl - maybe I'm just lucky).