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Vinyl vs. CD

Hey out there,I've been listening to a high quality CD playback system for the past couple years and have recently become interested in going to turntable rig.(I still have an LP collection).I have a quality tube pre with phono and decided to buy an inexpensive turntable to spin some of my old favorites (Rega 2 with grado silver) I had no pre-conceived notion of what would sound better,I just remember the enjoyment I got from playing Hendrix, Rolling Stones ect.on an a good ole' record player.After listening to the Rega for a few days I switched back to CD's (Meridian 500 trans 566/24 dac)and found that the remastered CD issues of the same LP's sounded alot better.Must I drop several K's to experience "Vinyl Dreams" ?
mar00
sedond
1,391 posts
 
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
fpeel
455 posts
 
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.
raguirre
120 posts
 
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).
treyhoss
287 posts
 
Robba, I think that is a fair summary and the reason this topic us usually so heated and I'm glad it hasn't gone that way! I really do APPRECIATE BOTH formats. Personally, it boils down to what limitations both formats have vs. the convenience (in all aspects!) that CD has over vinyl. And with the money I've spent so far, I can't afford to "switch gears". Besides, I think in 10 years or less this will be a moot discussion as some other (digital based) format will rule the day. If I had to give someone advice tomorrow, who is considering putting together a high-end system, I would ask them what type of music they like. I think classical, jazz and blues sounds better on vinyl while rock, pop and new age sounds better on CD. All of this is MHO, of course. -Tony
jim_gerace
11 posts
 
this is to joe_b I would be interested in knowing what albums you are looking to sell. I also live in NJ. jim_gerace@hotmail.com
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