2. analog
  3. 1100570444

Rocky return to vinyl

I've recently moved from an integrated amp with no phono stage (Jolida 302B) to monoblocks and a preamp with phono -- Marantz 2s with a Marantz 7 pre. I've had an old Rega Planar 3 in retirement for a long time. It has what I gather to be the less respected RB200 arm, and I got a Shure M97xE, based on recommendations here at Audiogon. Most of my collection now is CD. My LPs are mostly high school stuff, and I got the inexpensive Shure just to take a small step into the world of vinyl with my new-to-me Marantz amps. As it so happens, the one LP I have that I also have a CD copy of is Earth, Wind, and Fire -- an anamoly in my listening, but fun and the CD sounds pretty good. (I have a Music Hall CD25.) Now, when I converted to tubes a couple of years ago, I got the impression my preference for tubes probably would translate into a preference for vinyl. And it still may. But I was VERY disappointed when I put on that LP. The instruments sounded muddled and congested, especially in direct comparison to the CD. I've tried a couple of more albums, but they all fall way short of what I'm used to from my decently recorded CDs.

I'm assuming the most common response I'm going to get here involves my spending several hundred dollars. But could I just be missing something basic? Should the difference with this Rega/Shure setup be THAT different from the Music Hall CD player?
judasmac
eldartford
4,262 posts
 

For vinyl I give a big cheer

In spite of the noise that I hear

Scatched records and all

The sound is a ball

But oh the equipment is dear
ramstl
342 posts
 
Ditto X3!!!! But with a bit of elbow grease and some creativity a cheap and satisfying table can be had. Take a look at Project "Cheap Turntable" for some ideas and fun!
brauser
525 posts
 
I have gone down both the digital and analog roads for many years. A few months ago I finally parted with the turntable. I have not looked back since.
newmanoc
295 posts
 
In addition to all the above comments about fine tuning your vinyl rig, I would add you may in part be missing the artifical clarity of digital. This clarity comes from the fact that less information is being given in CD playback than in vinyl, and less can at first seem like it is more. Vinyl can take at least a little getting used to. But if you are like me, once you have listened (at least to a decently set up rig) for even a short while and then go back to listening to digitial, you will feel as if something is missing from the music - something that you want back. Then you'll find yourself spending increasing time in used record stores, planning and saving for your new phono stage, etc. Still, I think good digital has its place, and by no means am I thinking of selling my CD player.
judasmac OP
25 posts
 
Okay. You've restored my hope. This feedback has encouraged me to keep tinkering. That's part of the fun of this hobby anyway, the tinkering.

One thing I realize that I miss about LPs is the side -- you know, side A, side B. Sides had distinct personalities. Sometimes you're in the mood for one, sometimes another. Some albums I listened only to one side. A side of what used to be a 45 minute album is more manageable length than a full 65 minute CD to get your mind around. I oftentimes don't know the last half of my CDs very well.
More to discover