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I finally compared CD to vinyl and...

I finally compared CD to vinyl and it was close, very close. But let me put some perspective on this first. In my main system I have an Audio Note 2.1x balanced DAC with Accustic Arts Drive 1 transport (on a Sistrum platform); this is not cheap, plus there's the digital cable and power cords. The vinyl setup I tried was the one I had back in high school and just shipped from my folks home along with some 80s music LPs. This consisted of a cheap Yamaha PF-20 TT, Signet TK4Ep cartridge, stock 20 year old interconnects, and the phono stage in my Mcintosh preamp. I took the TT to a local repair shop for a once over and all they could find wrong is that it runs about 1% fast.

Last night I relived my high school days by playing a bunch of 80s music (and realizing how bad some of it was, but who cared back then). My first impressions were that the TT was very dynamic with great bass and soundstage; it was very smooth. The music was really fun. So much for the glory days.

Today I went to Amoeba and purchased 4 LPs that I already had on CD to do a "taste test" of sorts. Here's my general thoughts...

Keith Jarrett, The Koln Concert
This LP was used. Better on LP. More natural sounding. But lots of popping.

The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow
Not my usual stuff, but some fun pop. Too close to call here.

Johnny Cash, American 4
I think I preferred the LP, but it was close. My wife preferred the LP; warmer she said. But she likes the detail of digital, seems to prefer the cleaner, sterile sound of it.

Norah Jones, Feels Like Home
The LP sounded better to me, but the CD allowed more detail to come through. very close here, slight edge to LP. But with the careful listening I realized that this album sounds compressed. My wife preferred the CD.

Back to my original point: thousands in digital equipment sounds about equal to a 20 year old TT that probably cost $125 in the day. This experience allowed me to hear how "digital" digital can sound; somewhat artificial, clean, sterile. The TT sounded somewhat soft; either it's the TT, cartridge, preamp, or I'm just hearing how "hard" CD can be. the midrange was a bit recessed, but nice, tight bass and very good, natural highs. Johnny Cashs's voice sounded very real on vinyl. In the end I'm not really sure what to make of this. Some of the LPs I bought could have been poorly mastered.

I don't see myself really getting into vinyl right now. Though most of the LPs were clean there was some popping and a few were downright dirty. CD is very conveneint and easier to store. But it's great to be able to buy used LPs for pennies and try out new music. I bought a used Norman Blake LP fpr $2 that I had been wanting to hear for some time on CD. it sounded great, but was dirty.

I'm sure I could get a better TT, cartridge and phono stage and see an improvement. A cleaning machine would help too. But I would prefer to simplify rather than complicate my system. The frustrating thing is how hard it can be (and expensive it can be) to get CD to sound relatively close to analog. I've tried SACD, but not ready to commit to that either.

For you serious analog folks, what CD players have caught your analog ears the most? I bought my Audio note DAC from a guy who was a real vinyl freak and it was the first digital that he liked.

I have some old Genesis LPs that I'll try tomorrow. A few more spins of the 80s stuff (boy, there was a distinct 80's sound). I also have some of my grandfather's classical LPs to cruise. Then I'll probably get lazy and stick to CD. I'm sure after getting away from the vinyl for a while CD will sound great again. This was a fun exercise, though, and certainly enlightening.
budrew
budrew OP
467 posts
 
Last night after a full day of painting I was too tired to do anything but sit and listen to music, specifically the turntable. I'm a little more intigued now. Where should I go from here? If i wanted to explore a newer TT what would you recommend? What would put me on the next plateau to stay a while comfortably and continue to appreciate vinyl? From what I've read a record cleaning machine is also a worthwhile purchase. I would continue to use the phono stage in my preamp. So basically i would need a TT, tonearm, cartridge, cleaner. That should be it for now, right (I hope)?

I should have never listened to the TT. Now I'm off on another audio tangent!
colitas
150 posts
 
Depending on your budget! Having gone through the newbie beginnigs, I can suggest that you could build a quality system aound a fullt modded Rega 250 tonearm. I would change the endstub to a 2xtreme end stub, from Express Machining. I have tried both counterweighhts from Express and Kerry Audio. I prefer the F2 titanium counterweight from Kerry Audio(it stays closer to the pivot point of the tonearm.)You will need a VTA adjuster too, Express has a nice one too. Then upgrade the tonearm wire. Check E-bay and the Gon for the tonearm. I currently use a Sota Sapphire with the Rega, much quieter than the Rega P3 I had before.
rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
Budrew, Dude you have only but had a glimpse into what the good old Lp can do.
(Yamaha PF-20 TT, Signet TK4Ep cartridge), This will give you a feel for vinyl, but with no low level detail and you are missing a lot of bottom and top end with this setup.

First off you need a low out-put moving coil cartridge (MC).
Your Mack only has MM I believe?

I need to know how much you can afford to spend.

Remember guys analog has made great strides in the last 5 years. Many New great products are even affordable.
Seems itÂ’s getting better and more affordable. Take the new
EAR 324 phono preamp for example.

You should read the archives, lots a stuff in there.
This topic is a broken record, pun intended.

Budrew just go to the analog forums and start reading.

I use an Origin Live Table, TWL modded Origin Live silver Tonearm and a Shelter 501 MKII MC cartridge.
Life is good,
Peace
Ron
budrew OP
467 posts
 
Thanks guys. I've been reading the archives and some of my own postings and the responses. Lots of great info available. I have not determined a budget yet, but probably under $2000, or even less. For now I'll have to stick with the phono stage in my preamp, and you're right, it's MM. Depends on how I can configure my rack to fit another component. Also dealing with a wife who is tired of upgrades, but the vinyl has her interest too.

I've heard some of the new high-output MC cartridges are good too. Would this be compatible with my phono stage?
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Budrew, welcome to vinyl-dome. What you have discovered is not just another audio tangent. I'm afraid you've stumbled onto the closest thing to real live music available with current technology. Hey, even your wife is interested. You will soon become as obsessed and boorish as the rest of us, and that's a good thing!

There are some very decent TT/arm/cart choices in the $1500-2000 neighborhood. If you can push it to $2500-3000 however, you can enter a whole new realm. Give it some thought before you decide. Knowing what I know today, I'd willingly have downgraded my $2K CDP if necessary to free up cash for a better analog rig. The sonic payoffs for analog upgrades in this price range are huge, far larger than they are in digital.
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