TOTALLY CONFUSED about analog

bishopwell, i guess that's why there's more than one kinda car, and all ice cream ain't vanilla... ;~) i have excercised minimal care-n-feeding of vinyl in ~35 years of spinning it, and, while i acknowledge surface noise is an issue w/some albums, the overwhelming majority of 'em are emminently musical, w/o surface noise being a distraction, even the *oldies*. and, no edgy digital sound - who cares if the background is perfect, when the main event is irritating? :>)

i do agree that, w/quality tubed electronics, and a good dac, the problems of redbook cd are diminishing. it was only w/in the past few months that i finally heard digital that i could *really* enjoy: a food-group, if you will. while i still long for the day that the software mfr's finally decide on a much-needed replacement for cd, so digital audio can lay waste to vinyl once & for all - no reason why it *shouldnt* be able to do so - at least, in the meantime, i can finally savor the taste of my digital software - *almost* as yummy as those big black 12" discs! ;~)

doug s.

Bishopwill-

Regarding surface noise (as well as the original question on cartridges)- I noticed a remarkable decrease in surface noise in going from a Sumiko Talisman (a somewhat modest high output MC) to a Benz LO.4.

To tell the complete story, originally had a P3 with the Talisman, then got a Well Tempered Classic and installed the Talisman. Some noise went away just in moving to the WT, but the REAL noise reduction came when the LO.4 was installed.

Additionally, I make judicious use of a DBX 3BX in the tape loop, which gets rid of ALOT of surface noise. While some may scoff at the extra connections and theoretical distortions from 'signal processing', friends are almost always surprised that an LP is playing because they don't hear the bacon frying in the backround and Phillips has convinced them that CDs sound "perfect". Except they now now that LPs can sound "perfecter". (Yeah, I know that ain't no good english, so you CD guys don't write me no letters...)

I also have a Burwen TNE that I haven't used in several years because I haven't heard much 'Rice Krispies' with this rig. Know anyone looking for a TNE?

This thread is making me hungry for some breakfast....

Regards
Jim

I've been collecting vinyls since I'm 5. When I've got my first cheap used Nad CD player and played "Dark Side of The Moon" (That was the first CD I've ever played back there) i was literally dissapointed with the sound. I was TOTALLY CONFUSED and by advise of my friend bought newer Marantz CD 67se. I continued to complain to my friend and he said me to hook up the turntable back and quit complaining.
That's what I did. One of my favorite Pink Floyd albumes "Dark Side of the Moon" "fries for me a bit of beacon" but I live with it and still listen to it.
The first thing to benefit from ANY turntable that vinyl is already in most cases better software than digital CD.

Good Bishop, I have to disagree with you.
Good beer and rare beef...it goes without saying. But chocolate???

Sincerely, I remain

hey, jimbo, i use a 3bx, too! also in the tape loop, so it's not in the signal path when not in use. but, i find it more useful for increasing dynamic range, than for suppressing vinyl surface noise. in fact, it seems to get as much, if not more, use for cd's than vinyl, cuz they're so compressed! ;~) it also works great on compressed fm, but, fortunately, the stations i listen to, are relatively compression-free. that burwen tne sounds intriguing, but i dunno if it's really worth it, for the so-small number of vinyl discs where i feel it would be useful> :>)

doug s.